Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances in the Philippine Government

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the Philippine government's three branches, executive departments, checks and balances mechanisms, good governance, and scenario reasoning principles based on lecture materials.

Separation of Powers

A constitutional structural principle that divides government authority among three branches (Legislative, Executive, Judiciary) to prevent the concentration of power in one institution or individual.

Legislative Branch

The lawmaking body of government represented by Congress, responsible for making laws, approving the national budget, conducting investigations in aid of legislation, declaring war, confirming treaties, and initiating impeachment cases.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for implementing laws, headed by the President and Cabinet, which manages law enforcement, official appointments, Commander-in-Chief duties, budget preparation, and foreign relations.

Judiciary Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws, settling legal disputes, protecting constitutional rights, and exercising Judicial Review through the Supreme Court.

Congress

The bicameral lawmaking body of the Philippines consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Senate

The upper house of Congress consisting of 24 Senators elected nationwide who serve 6-year terms and hold the power to confirm treaties.

House of Representatives

The legislative chamber composed of District Representatives and Party-list Representatives who serve 3-year terms and hold the power to initiate impeachment cases.

President

The Head of State and Head of Government of the Philippines who implements laws, appoints officials, serves as Commander-in-Chief, prepares the national budget, signs or vetoes bills, and conducts foreign relations.

Vice President

An executive official who may be appointed to Cabinet positions and assumes the presidency when necessary.

Department of Health (DOH)

An executive department whose main responsibility is Health.

Department of Education (DepEd)

An executive department whose main responsibility is Education.

Department of Agriculture (DA)

An executive department whose main responsibility is Agriculture.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

An executive department whose main responsibility is Social Welfare.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

An executive department whose main responsibility is Local Government.

Department of Energy (DOE)

An executive department whose main responsibility is Energy.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

An executive department whose main responsibility is Labor.

Department of National Defense (DND)

An executive department whose main responsibility is National Defense.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the Philippines responsible for interpreting laws, settling legal disputes, protecting constitutional rights, and exercising judicial review.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine whether laws or government actions are constitutional.

Checks and Balances

An accountability mechanism and system of mutual oversight among government branches to ensure no single branch becomes too powerful.

Presidential Veto

An executive check exercised when the President refuses to sign or rejects a bill passed by Congress.

Legislative Oversight

A legislative check exercised when Congress conducts investigations into government agencies or actions in aid of legislation.

Impeachment Power

A legislative check where the House of Representatives files impeachment charges against public officials to enforce accountability.

Good Governance

The effective, accountable, transparent, and participatory exercise of power characterized by accountability, transparency, participation, rule of law, responsiveness, and equity and inclusiveness.

PISA-Type Reasoning Guide

A 3-step decision framework for analyzing governance scenarios by asking: 1) Who is acting? 2) What power is being exercised? 3) Is it a check on another branch?

Golden Rule for Governance Scenarios

An evaluation guide stating that when analyzing governance scenarios, one should ask: 'How does this action prevent abuse of power, promote accountability, or uphold the Constitution?'