I.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT

The Philippines is a republic with a presidential form of government wherein power is equally split
between its three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. One basic corollary in an official
arrangement of government is the rule of division of powers wherein enactment has a place with
Congress, execution to the Executive, and settlement of legitimate controversies to the Judiciary.

The Legislative branch is responsible to make laws, modify, and repeal them through the power
vested in the Philippine Congress. This organization is divided into two, the Senate and the House of
Representatives. The Executive branch is made out of the President and the Vice President who are
chosen by direct well-known vote and serve a term of six years. The Constitution grants the President
power to designate his Cabinet. These departments form a large part of the nation's administration. The
Judicial branch holds the ability to settle discussions including rights that are legitimately demandable and
enforceable. This branch decides if there has been a grave maltreatment of circumspection adding up to
need or abundance of locale on the part and instrumentality of the public authority. It is comprised of a
Supreme Court and lower courts.

The executive branch completes and implements laws. It incorporates the President, Vice
President, the Cabinet, executive offices, independent agencies, boards, commissions, and committees.
The President heads the country. He/she is the head of state, leader of the public government, and
Commander-in-Chief of all military forces of the Philippines. The President serves a six-year term and
can't be reappointed. The Vice President supports the President. On the off chance that the President
can't serve, the Vice President becomes President. The individual additionally serves a six-year term.
Cabinet members fill in as counsels to the President. They incorporate the Vice President and the heads
of chief offices. Cabinet members are selected by the President and should be affirmed by the
Commission of Appointments.

II. ROLES AND POWER OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The qualifications, roles, power, and other function of the executive branch in the Philippine
government can be found in the constitution. This includes that of the country’s president, vice-president,
cabinet members, and even those in the local government such as the barangay chairman, municipal and
city mayors, and provincial governors. Executive branch of the government extends from the national to
the local unit. The following information are generated from the Official Gazette website of the Philippines.

The President of the Philippines

The President of the Philippines is chosen by direct vote by individuals for a term of six years. He
may just serve for one term and is ineligible for re-appointment. The term of the President of the
Philippines begins around early afternoon of the 30th day of June after the political race.

Besides the constitution, the powers of the President of the Philippines are specifically outlined in
Executive Order No. 292, s. 1987, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987. The following
powers are:
1. Power of control over the executive branch.

o The President of the Philippines has the mandate of control over all the executive departments,
bureaus, and offices. This includes restructuring, reconfiguring, and appointments of their
respective officials. The Administrative Code also provides for the President to be responsible for
the abovementioned offices’ strict implementation of laws.

2. Power ordinance power

 o The President of the Philippines has the power to give executive issuances, which are means to
streamline the policy and programs of an administration. There are six issuances that the
President may issue. They are the following as defined in the Administrative Code of 1987:
 EXECUTIVE ORDERS — Acts of the President providing for rules of a general or permanent
character in implementation or execution of constitutional or statutory powers shall be
promulgated in executive orders.
 ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS — Acts of the President which relate to particular aspects of
governmental operations in pursuance of his duties as the administrative head shall be
promulgated in administrative orders.
 PROCLAMATIONS — Acts of the President fixing a date or declaring a status or condition of
public moment or interest, upon the existence of which the operation of a specific law or
regulation is made to depend, shall be promulgated in proclamations which shall have the
force of an executive order.
 MEMORANDUM ORDERS — Acts of the President on matters of administrative detail, or of
subordinate or temporary interest which only concern a particular officer or government office
shall be embodied in memorandum orders.
 MEMORANDUM CIRCULARS — Acts of the President on matters relating to internal
administration, which the President desires to bring to the attention of all or some of the
departments, agencies, bureaus, or offices of the government, for information or compliance,
shall be embodied in memorandum circulars.
 GENERAL OR SPECIAL ORDERS — Acts and commands of the President in his capacity
as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be issued as general or
special orders.

3. Power over aliens

o The President of the Philippines has certain powers over non-Filipinos in the Philippines. The
powers he may exercise over foreigners in the country are as follows:
 The chief executive may have an alien in the Philippines deported from the country after due
process.
 The President may change the status of a foreigner, as prescribed by law, from a non-
immigrant status to a permanent resident status without necessity of visa.
 The President may choose to overrule the Board of Commissioners of the Bureau of
Immigration before their decision becomes final and executory (after 30 days of the issuance
of the decision). The Board of Commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration has jurisdiction
over all deportation cases.
 The president is also mandated by the Administrative Code of 1987 to exercise powers as
recognized by the generally accepted principles of international law.

4. Powers of eminent domain, escheat, land reservation and recovery of ill-gotten wealth

o The President of the Philippines has the authority to exercise the power of eminent domain. The
power of eminent domains means the state has the power to seize or authorize the seizure of
 private property for public use with just compensation. There are two constitutional provisions,
however, that limit the exercise of such power: Article III, Section 9 (1) of the Constitution
provides that no person shall be deprived of his/her life, liberty, or property without due process
of law. Furthermore, Article III, Section 9 (2), provides that private property shall not be taken for
public use without just compensation.

Once the aforementioned conditions are met, the President may exercise the power of eminent
domain which are as follows:
 POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN — The President shall determine when it is necessary or
advantageous to exercise the power of eminent domain in behalf of the national government,
and direct the solicitor general, whenever he deems the action advisable, to institute
expropriation proceedings in the proper court.
 POWER TO DIRECT ESCHEAT OR REVERSION PROCEEDINGS — The President shall
direct the solicitor general to institute escheat or reversion proceedings over all lands
transferred or assigned to persons disqualified under the constitution to acquire land.
 POWER TO RESERVE LANDS OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DOMAIN OF THE
GOVERNMENT
 The president shall have the power to reserve for settlement or public use, and for
specific public purposes, any of the lands of the public domain, the use of which is not
otherwise directed by law. The reserved land shall thereafter remain subject to the
specific public purpose indicated until otherwise provided by law or proclamation.
 He shall also have the power to reserve from sale or other disposition and for specific
public uses or purposes, any land belonging to the private domain of the government, or
any of the friar lands, the use of which is not otherwise directed by law, and thereafter
such land shall be used for the purposes specified by such proclamation until otherwise
provided by law.
 POWER OVER ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH — The President shall direct the solicitor general to
institute proceedings to recover properties unlawfully acquired by public officials or
employees, from them or from their nominees or transferees.

Within the period fixed in, or any extension thereof authorized by, the constitution, the President
shall have the authority to recover ill-gotten properties amassed by the leaders and supporters of the
previous regime and protect the interest of the people through orders of sequestration or freezing of
assets or accounts.

5. Power of appointment

o The President may appoint officials of the Philippine government as provided by the constitution
and laws of the Philippines. Some of these appointments, however, may need the approval of the
Committee on Appointments (a committee composed of members from the House of
Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines).

6. Power of general supervision over local governments

 o The President of the Philippines, as chief executive, has the mandate to supervise local
governments in the Philippines, despite their autonomous status as provided by Republic Act No.
7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. Traditionally, this is done by the
Department of the Interior and Local Government, headed by a cabinet secretary—an alter ego
of the President.

7. Other powers

o Aside from the aforementioned powers of the President of the Philippines, he can also exercise
powers enumerated in the constitution, and powers given to him by law.

The Vice President of the Philippines

The Vice President of the Philippines is chosen by direct vote by individuals for a term of six years
and may run for re-appointment once. The term of the Vice President of the Philippines begins around
early afternoon of the 30th day of June after a regular election is held.

According to the constitution, the vice president may concurrently assume a cabinet position should
the President of the Philippines offer the former one. The vice president will become a secretary
concurrent to the position of vice president. Aside from the cabinet post, the vice president is mandated to
assume the presidency in case of the death, disability, or resignation of the incumbent President.

The Cabinet Secretaries

Cabinet secretaries go about as the alter-ego of the President executing, with his position, the
power of the Office of the President in their respective offices. The number of cabinet secretaries changes
once in a while relying upon the need of an administration. As indicated by the Administrative Code of
1987, the President of the Philippines might make or dissolve any department as he sees fit.

As expressed, a cabinet secretary is the alter ego of the President in their individual divisions. In this
way, they possess the ability to give mandates comparative with their departments, for example, office
orders. These orders just apply to workplaces under a particular division under the cabinet secretary's
ward. Cabinet secretaries additionally go about as advisors to the President of the Philippines for their
areas.

Local Governments
The executive branch extends beyond the national government. According to Article X, Section 4 of
the constitution, the President of the Philippines is mandated to supervise local governments all over the
country. However, because of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of
1991, local governments enjoy relative autonomy from the national government.

Each local government has its own chief executive. The following is the list of local chief executives:

1. barangay — punong barangay (barangay chairman)

2. municipality — municipal mayor
3. city — city mayor
4. province — provincial governor

The local chief executives have the power to approve or veto local ordinances recommended by the
local legislators.

PUNONG BARANGAY
 The punong barangay, as the chief executive of the barangay government, shall exercise and
perform the following powers and functions:

1. enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the barangay;
2. negotiate, enter into, and sign contracts for and in behalf of the barangay, upon authorization of the
Sangguniang Barangay;
3. maintain public order in the barangay;
4. call and preside over the sessions of the Sangguniang Barangay and the Barangay Assembly;
5. appoint or replace the barangay treasurer, the barangay secretary, and other appointive barangay
officials;
6. organize and lead an emergency group for the maintenance of peace and order or on occasions of
emergency or calamity within the barangay;
7. prepare the annual executive and supplemental budgets of the barangay, in coordination with the
Barangay Development Council;
8. approve vouchers relating to the disbursement of barangay funds;
9. enforce laws and regulations relating to pollution control and protection of the environment;
10. administer the operation of the Katarungang Pambarangay;
11. exercise general supervision over the activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan;
12. ensure the delivery of basic social services and access to facilities;
13. conduct an annual palarong barangay which shall feature traditional sports and disciplines
included in national and international games; and
14. promote the general welfare of the barangay.

MUNICIPAL AND CITY MAYORS

The municipal mayor and city mayor, as the chief executive of the municipal government and city
government, respectively, shall exercise and perform the following powers and functions:
1. Exercise general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of the
municipal or city government:

 determine the guidelines of municipal policies and be responsible to the Sangguniang Bayan or
Panlungsod for the program of government;
 direct the formulation of the municipal or city development plan;
 at the opening of the regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan or Panlungsod, present the program
of government and propose policies and projects for consideration;
 initiate and propose legislative measures to the Sangguniang Bayan or Panlungsod;
 represent the municipality or city in all its business transactions and sign on its behalf all bonds,
contracts, and obligations, upon authorization by the Sangguniang Bayan;
 carry out emergency measures as may be necessary during and in the aftermath of man-made and
natural disasters;
 examine the books, records and other documents of all offices, officials, agents or employees of the
municipality or city;
 visit component barangays of the municipality or city at least once every six months;
 solemnize marriages, any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding;
 conduct a palarong bayan or panlungsod; and
 submit to the provincial governor an annual report on the administration of the municipality or city,
and supplemental reports when unexpected events and situations such as calamities arise.

2. Enforce all laws and ordinances, and implement all approved policies, programs, projects, services and
activities of the municipality or city:

 issue executive orders as are necessary for the proper enforcement and execution of laws and
ordinances;
 call conventions, seminars or meetings of any elective and appointive officials of the municipality or
city;
 formulate and implement the peace and order plan of the municipality or city; and
 call upon the appropriate law enforcement agencies to suppress disorder, riot, lawless violence,
rebellion or sedition or to apprehend violators of the law.

3. Initiate and maximize the generation of resources and revenues, to be used for the implementation of
development plans, program objectives and priorities:

 prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Bayan or Panlungsod for approval the annual executive and
supplemental budgets of the municipality or city;
 ensure that all taxes and other revenues of the municipality or city are collected;
 issue, suspend or revoke licenses and permits;
 adopt measures to safeguard and conserve land, mineral, marine, forest, and other resources of the
municipality or city;
 provide efficient and effective property and supply management in the municipality or city; and protect
the funds, credits, rights and other properties of the municipality or city; and
 institute or cause to be instituted administrative or judicial proceedings for violation of ordinances in
the collection of taxes, fees or charges, and for the recovery of funds and property.

4. Ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities as provided for under
Section 17 of the Local Government Code.

PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS
The provincial governor, as the chief executive of the provincial government, shall exercise and
perform the following powers and duties:
1. Exercise general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of the
provincial government:

 determine the guidelines of municipal policies and be responsible to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
for the program of government;
 direct the formulation of the provincial development plan;
 at the opening of the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, present the program of
government and propose policies and projects for consideration;
 initiate and propose legislative measures to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan;
 represent the province in all its business transactions and sign on its behalf all bonds, contracts, and
obligations, upon authorization by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan;
 carry out emergency measures as may be necessary during and in the aftermath of man-made and
natural disasters;
 examine the books, records and other documents of all offices, officials, agents or employees of the
province;
 furnish copies of executive orders issued by him to the Office of the President within 72 hours after
their issuance;
 visit component cities and municipalities at least once every six months;
 represent the province in inter-provincial or regional sports councils or committees, and coordinate
the efforts of component cities or municipalities in the regional or national palaro or sports
development activities;
 conduct an annual palarong panlalawigan; and
 submit to the Office of the President an annual report on the administration and development of the
province, and supplemental reports when unexpected events and situations such as calamities arise.

2. Enforce all laws and ordinances, and implement all approved policies, programs, projects, services
and activities of the province:

 issue executive orders as are necessary for the proper enforcement and execution of laws and
ordinances;
 call conventions, seminars or meetings of any elective and appointive officials of the province;
 in coordination with the component cities and municipalities, and the National Police Commission,
formulate and implement the peace and order plan of the province; and
 call upon the appropriate law enforcement agencies to suppress disorder, riot, lawless violence,
rebellion or sedition or to apprehend violators of the law.

3. Initiate and maximize the generation of resources and revenues, to be used for the implementation of
development plans, program objectives and priorities:

 prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for approval the annual executive and
supplemental budgets of the province;
 ensure that all taxes and other revenues of the province are collected;
 issue, suspend or revoke licenses and permits;
 adopt measures to safeguard and conserve land, mineral, marine, forest, and other resources of the
province;
 provide efficient and effective property and supply management in the province; and protect the
funds, credits, rights and other properties of the province; and
 institute or cause to be instituted administrative or judicial proceedings for violation of ordinances in
the collection of taxes, fees or charges, and for the recovery of funds and property.

4. Ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities as provided for under
Section 17 of the Local Government Code