1204-MIDTERM
Midterm Examination Coverage
Module: Module 2: Philippine Political Institutions, Actors, and Processes
Relevant Materials:
Assigned readings
Answered worksheet
Recording of discussion
Date of Examination: March 13, 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Mode of Examination:
Conducted through Canvas, taken face-to-face
Students must bring personal devices
Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)
Type of Examination: Mixed objective (50-60 items, 100-120 points)
Structure of the Philippine Government
Three Branches of Government
Legislative Department
Composition:
Types of Legislature:
a. Unicameral
b. Bicameral
Philippine Congress:
Upper House (UH): Senate (#24)
Lower House (LH): House of Representatives (#316)
Types of Representatives (LH):
a. District Representatives
b. Party-list Representatives
Qualifications:
Upper House (UH):
Citizenship: Natural-born Filipino
Age: at least 35 years on election day
Literacy: Must be able to read and write
Residency: At least 2 years prior to election
Others: Registered voter
Lower House (LH):
Citizenship: Natural-born Filipino
Age: at least 25 years on election day
Literacy: Must be able to read and write
Residency: At least 1 year prior to election in the place of representation for district reps.
Others: Registered voter
Executive Department
Composition:
Headed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, assisted by:
Vice President
Cabinet Members
Presidential Offices
Qualifications:
Chief Executive:
Citizenship: Natural-born Filipino
Age: at least 40 years on election day
Literacy: Must be able to read and write
Residency: At least 10 years prior to election
Others: Registered voter
Next-in-Rank:
Citizenship: Natural-born Filipino
Age: at least 40 years on election day
Literacy: Must be able to read and write
Residency: At least 10 years prior to election
Others: Registered voter
Judicial Department
Composition:
Highest Court: Supreme Court
Members:
Chief Justice (#1)
Associate Justices (#14)
Qualifications:
Members of the Highest Court:
Citizenship: Natural-born Filipino
Age: at least 40 years at the time of appointment
Professional Background: Lower Court Judge or Law practitioner in the Philippines for at least 15 years
Mandatory Retiring Age: 70 years old
Points of Comparison
Manner of Selection:
Legislative Department: Elected at large
Executive Department: Elected by direct vote
Judicial Department: Appointment by the President as nominated by the JBC
Term of Office:
Senate:
Years per term: 6
Maximum allowable terms: 2
House of Representatives:
Years per term: 3
Maximum allowable terms: 3
President:
Years per term: 6
Maximum allowable terms: 1
Vice President:
Years per term: 6
Maximum allowable terms: 2
Judicial Department:
During good behavior until 70 years old or incapacity
Powers and Privileges
Constituent Power: Power to make, promulgate, amend, or repeal laws
Appropriation Power: Power to approve the President's proposed budget
Legislative Inquiry and Investigation: Conduct hearings and inquiries on national issues
Power of Appointment: Designate a person to a specific government position
Military Power: Call on AFP to suppress lawless violence or declare martial law
Executive Clemency: Power to perform acts of clemency
Judicial Power: Apply or interpret the law
Judicial Review: Declare acts of Executive or Congress unconstitutional
Adjudicatory Power: Resolve disputes involving enforceable rights
Parliamentary Privileges:
Freedom from arrest
Privilege of speech and debate
Limitations to Powers
Cannot Submit Legislation:
Bill of Attainder
Ex Post Facto Law
Budget Increase: Congress cannot increase the budget proposed by the President
Martial Law Declaration: Limited to invasion or rebellion for public safety
State of the Nation Address (SONA): President must inform Congress of plans and policies
Interpretation of Laws:
Supreme Court and Lower Court have the power to interpret laws
Supreme Court's Final Decision: No court can overturn its decision, subject to constitutional amendment or reversal by the Supreme Court itself
Key Officials in the National Government
Senate:
President: Francis Escudero
Senate President Pro-Tempore: Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
Majority Floor Leader: Francis "Tol" N. Tolentino
Minority Floor Leader: Aquilino Martin "Koko" Pimentel III
Senators: Risa Hontiveros, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia
Executive Branch:
President: Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Vice President: Sara Duterte
Cabinet Members:
Lucas Bersamin (Department of Justice)
Ralph Recto (Department of Finance)
Jesus Crispin C. Remulla (Department of Justice)
Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. (Department of Environment and Natural Resources)
Enrique Manalo (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Judicial Branch:
Chief Justice: Alexander Gesmundo
Thoughts on the Branches of Government
Executive Branch
Low Point (Hyper-presidentialism):
Presidents surpassing constitutional limits, undermining Congress and courts
High Point:
Strengthened governance networks: civil society, church, private sector
Legislative Branch
Low Point:
Elitism, dynastic politics deteriorating quality of legislation
High Point:
Evidence-based policymaking culture
Judicial Branch
Low Point:
Judicial capture by executive, legislative, and elites
High Point:
Expansion of judicial power, incorporation of ICT practices
Philippine Democracy and Governance
People Power II:
Emphasized democratic governance: honesty, integrity, transparency, accountability
Exposed inadequacies of political institutions in resolving conflicts
Governance Implications:
Governance transcends government; involves coordination among varied actors
Administrative state: less bureaucratic, performance-based accountability (Frederickson & Smith, 2003)
Historical Context:
Response to intrusive state-led strategies led to market-oriented approaches for economic growth
Lessons learned highlight the link between governance quality and development outcomes.