Politics of the Philippines (original) (raw)

The Philippines has a representative democracy modeled on the United States system. The 1987 constitution, adopted during the Corazon Aquino administration, reestablished a presidential system of government with a bicameral legislature and an independent judiciary. The president is limited to one 6-year term. Provision also was made in the constitution for autonomous regions in Muslim areas of Mindanao and in the Cordillera region of northern Luzon.

The Senate is elected at large. There are currently 24 senators, 13 of whom were elected in May 2001. Of a possible 250 members of the House of Representatives, 206 are elected from the single-member districts. The remainder of the House seats are designated for sectoral representatives elected at large through a complex "party list" system, hinging on the party receiving at least 3% to 5% of the national vote total.

When Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the Presidency, her LAKAS-CMD party also regained its dominant position in Congress. The party leads the 187 member Sunshine Coalition composed of several major and minor parties. In the Senate, the pro-administration coalition controls 13 of the 24 seats. Members of the Philippine Congress tend to have weak party loyalties and change party affiliation easily. In October 2002, the Sunshine Coalition dissolved over Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's decision to seek election for the presidency which she came into by suceeding Joseph Estrada during the EDSA 2 Revolution of 2001.

The government is pursuing corruption-related criminal cases against former President Joseph Estrada, who is currently under detention. The terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which recently gained international notoriety with its kidnappings of foreign tourists in the southern islands, is a major problem for the government. In May 2001, the ASG kidnapped several Americans that it still holds. Efforts to track down and destroy the ASG have been unsuccessful. Rising crime and concerns about the security situation have begun to have a negative impact on tourism and foreign investment. The government continues to face threats from both Muslim separatist groups and communist insurgents and is pursuing peace talks with both groups.

National Government

The government of the Philippines, loosely patterned after the American system, is organized as a representative republic.

Executive branch

The executive branch is headed by the president, who functions as both head of state and government, as well as being the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president is elected by popular vote to a term of 6 years, during which he appoints and presides over the cabinet. (See President of the Philippines.)

Current President. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (since January 20, 2001) when a popular revolt, dubbed EDSA 2, overthrew the allegedly corrupt administration of ex-President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA (since 30 June 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Cabinet. Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments.

Legislative branch

The bicameral Philippine legislature, the Congress, consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives; members of both are elected by popular vote. There are 24 senators serving 6 years in the Senate while the House of Representatives consists of no more than 250 congressmen each serving 3-year terms.

Senate President: Franklin Drilon Speaker of the House of Representatives: Jose de Venecia

Judicial branch

The judiciary branch of the government is headed by the Supreme Court, which has a Chief Justice as its head and 14 Associate Justices, all appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council

Supreme Court Chief Justice: Hilario Davide, Jr. (currently undergoing impeachment proceedings)

Political parties and leaders

Local Government / Administrative subdivisions

The Philippines is divided into a hierarchy of local government units (LGUs) with the province as the primary unit. As of 2002, there are 79 provinces in the country. Provinces are further subdivided into cities and municipalities, which are in turn, composed of barangays. The barangay is the smallest local government unit.

All provinces are grouped into 17 regions for administrative convenience. Most government offices establish regional offices to serve the constituent provinces. The regions themselves do not possess a separate local government, with the exception of the Muslim Mindanao and Cordillera regions, which are autonomous.

International organization participation

APEC (1989), AsDB 1966, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO,

Miscellaneous

**Independence:**4 July 1946 (from US)

**National holiday:**Independence Day, 12 June (1898) (from Spain)

**Constitution:**2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987. (See Constitution of the Philippines.)

**Legal system:**based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

**Suffrage:**18 years of age; universal