Politics of the Philippines

 

Philippines
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the Philippines
Government
Political history · Constitution
Executive
President (list) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo 2001 – 2010 Vice President (list) Noli de Castro 2004 – 2010 Executive Departments (list)
Congress 14th Congress 2007 – 2010 Senate House President Manuel Villar, Jr. Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr.
Judiciary
Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno Court of Appeals · Sandiganbayan Court of Tax Appeals · Ombudsman
Elections
Commission on Elections Chairman: Resurreccion Z. Borra 2013 | 2010 | 2007 | 2004 | 2001 | 1998 1995 | 1992 | 1987 | 1986 | All
Political parties Lakas-CMD KAMPI NPC NP LP GO PDP-Laban PMP Others
Administrative divisions Capital Regions Provinces Cities Municipalities Barangays Foreign relations Government Website Human rights
Other countries · Atlas  Politics Portal

The political system in the Philippines takes place in an organized framework of a presidential, representative, and democratic republic whereby the president is both the head of state and the head of government within a pluriform multi-party system. This system revolves around three separate and sovereign yet interdependent branches: the legislative branch (the law-making body), the executive branch (the law-enforcing body), and the judicial branch (the law-interpreting body). Executive power is exercised by the government under the leadership of the president. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two-chamber congress -- the Senate (the upper chamber) and the House of Representatives (the lower chamber). Judicial power is vested in the courts with the Supreme Court of the Philippines as the highest judicial body.

National Government of the Philippines

The Republic of the Philippines has a representative democracy modeled after the United States of America's system of government. The 1987 Philippine constitution, adopted during the Corazon Aquino administration, re-established a presidential system of government with a bicameral legislature and an independent judiciary.

Executive branch

The executive branch is headed by the President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (party affiliation: Kampi/Lakas-CMD) 20 January 2001, who functions as both the head of state and the head of government. The president is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The president is elected by popular vote to a term of 6 years. The president, then, appoints (and may fire) his/her cabinet members whom he/she presides over. The executive seat of government is administered officially from Malacañang Palace - also the official residence of the president - in the capital City of Manila. The President may no longer run for re-election, unless he/she becomes president through constitutional succession and has served for no more than 4 years as president.

The second highest official, Vice-President Noli de Castro (party affiliation: Lakas-CMD/Independent) 30 June 2004, is also elected by popular vote. The vice-president is second in line to succession should the president resign, be impeached or die in office. The vice-president usually, though not always, may be a member of the president's cabinet. If there is a vacancy in the position of Vice President, the President will appoint any member of Congress (usually a party member) as new Vice President. The appointment will be validated by a three-fourths vote of Congress voting separately.

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. The Senate is elected at large. There are currently 24 senators. 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 2% to 6% of the national vote total. The upper house is located in Pasay City, while the lower house is located in Quezon City. The district and sectoral representatives are elected with a term of three years. They can be reelected but they are no longer eligible to run for the fourth consecutive term. The senators elected with a term of six years. They can be reelected but they are no longer eligible to run for the third consecutive term. The House of Representatives may opt to pass a resolution for a vacancy of a legislative seat that will pave way for a special election. The winner of the special election will serve the unfinished term of the previous district representative and will be considered as one elective term. The same rule applies in the Senate however it will only apply if the seat is vacated before the regular legislative election. This case applies when Senator Teofisto Guingona was appointed as Vice President before the May 2001 election. Senator Gregorio Honasan was in the 13th position in the Senatorial election and he served the unfinished term of Guingona. Honasan is no longer eligible to run for the 2004 elections. The case did not apply in 1998 when Gloria Arroyo was elected as Vice President and in 2004 when Noli de Castro was elected as Vice President.

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 like her party Lakas-CMD, Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People's Coalition, PDP-Laban, Aksyon Demokratiko, REPORMA-LM, PROMDI and Others. To further her corrupt reign she established her own party KAMPI. 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 2003, the Sunshine Coalition dissolved over Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's decision to seek election for the presidency which she came into by succeeding Joseph Estrada during the EDSA 2 Revolution of 2001.

Senate President: Manuel Villar

Speaker of the House of Representatives: Jose de Venecia

Presidents of the Senate

• 1916-1935 Manuel Luis Quezon (Philippine Legislature)
• 1935 Jose Avelino
• 1935-1941 Dissolved, Unicameral Legislature
• 1941-1945 Dissolved, World War II
• 1945-1946 Manuel A. Roxas (Commonwealth of the Philippines)
• 1946-1949 Jose Avelino
• 1949-1951 Mariano Jesus Cuenco
• 1952-1952 Quintin Paredes
• 1952-1952 Camilo Osias
• 1952-1953 Eulogio Rodriguez
• 1953-1953 Jose Zulueta
• 1953-1963 Eulogio Rodriguez
• 1963-1965 Ferdinand E. Marcos
• 1966-1967 Arturo M. Tolentino
• 1967-1972 Gil J. Puyat
• 1972-1978 Dissolved, Martial Law
• 1978-1986 Dissolved, Interim Batasang Pambansa and Regular Batasang Pambansa
• 1986-1987 Dissolved, 1986 Constitutional Commission
• 1987-1992 Jovito R. Salonga
• 1992-1993 Neptali A. Gonzales
• 1993-1995 Edgardo J. Angara
• 1995-1996 Neptali A. Gonzales
• 1996-1998 Ernesto M. Maceda
• 1998-1998 Neptali A. Gonzales
• 1998-1999 Marcelo B. Fernan
• 1999-2000 Blas F. Ople
• 2000-2000 Franklin M. Drilon
• 2000-2001 Aquilino Pimentel
• 2001-2006 Franklin M. Drilon
• 2006-pres Manuel B. Villar, Jr.

Speakers of the House of Representatives

• 1907-1922 Sergio Osmeña (Philippine Assembly)
• 1922-1933 Manuel A. Roxas (House of Representatives)
• 1933-1935 Quintin Paredes (House of Representatives)
• 1935-1935 Gil Montilla (National Assembly)
• 1938-1941 Jose Yulo (National Assembly)
• 1943-1944 Benigno Aquino Sr. (National Assembly, 2nd Republic)
• 1945-1946 Jose Zulueta (House of Representatives)
• 1946-1953 Eugenio Perez (House of Representatives)
• 1954-1957 Jose B. Laurel, Jr. (House of Representatives)
• 1957-1962 Daniel Romualdez (House of Representatives)
• 1962-1967 Cornelio Villareal (House of Representatives)
• 1967-1971 Jose B. Laurel, Jr. (House of Representatives)
• 1971-1972 Cornelio Villareal (House of Representatives)
• 1978-1984 Querube C. Makalintal (Interim Batasang Pambansa)
• 1984-1986 Nicanor E. Yniguez (Regular Batasang Pambansa)
• 1986-1987 Dissolved, 1986 Constitutional Commission
• 1987-1992 Ramon V. Mitra (House of Representatives)
• 1992-1998 Jose C. De Venecia, Jr.(House of Representatives)
• 1998-2000 Manuel Villar Jr. (House of Representatives)
• 2000-2001 Arnulfo Fuentebella (House of Representatives)
• 2001 Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (House of Representatives)
• 2001-Present Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. (House of Representatives)

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: Reynato Puno

Chief Justices of the Supreme Court

• 1901-1920 Cayetano L. Arellano
• 1920-1921 Victorino M. Mapa
• 1921-1924 Manuel G. Araullo
• 1925-1941 Ramon Q. Avaceña
• 1941-1942 Jose Abad Santos
• 1942-1944 Jose Yulo
• 1945-1951 Manuel V. Moran
• 1951-1961 Ricardo M. Paras
• 1961-1966 Cesar Bengzon
• 1966-1973 Roberto R. Concepcion
• 1973-1975 Querube C. Makalintal
• 1976-1979 Fred Ruiz Castro
• 1979-1985 Enrique M. Fernando
• 1985-1985 Felix V. Makasiar
• 1985-1986 Ramon C. Aquino
• 1986-1988 Claudio Teehankee, Sr.
• 1988-1988 Pedro Yap
• 1988-1991 Marcelo B. Fernan
• 1991-1998 Andres Narvasa
• 1998-2005 Hilario Davide, Jr.
• 2005-2006 Artemio Panganiban
• 2006-Present Reynato Puno

Offices of the Ombudsman

The government and all three of its branches are independently monitored by the Offices of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is given the mandate to investigate and prosecute any official/s in government that is allegedly guilty of crimes, especially Graft and Corruption. The Ombudsman leads a team composed of a sheriff and 6 deputies who lead their respective divisions and/or bureaus.

Political parties and elections

Main article: Philippine general election, 2007

Candidate	Party	Votes	%
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo	Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino/Lakas CMD/Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan	12,905,808	39.99
Fernando Poe, Jr.	Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino/Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino	11,782,232	36.51
Panfilo Lacson	Independent	3,510,080	10.88
Raul Roco	Aksyon Demokratiko	2,082,762	6.45
Eduardo Villanueva	Bangon Pilipinas Movement	1,988,218	6.16
Total		32,269,100	100.00

Summary of the 14 May 2007 Senate of the Philippines election results |- !style="background-color:#AAAAAA" align=left width=170|Candidate !style="background-color:#AAAAAA" align=left width=170|Party !style="background-color:#AAAAAA" align=right width=70|Votes |- |align=left|Loren B. Legarda ||align=left|Genuine Opposition - NPC ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|18,501,209 |- |align=left|Francis Joseph G. Escudero ||align=left|Genuine Opposition - NPC ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|18,264,889 |- |align=left|Panfilo Lacson||align=left|Genuine Opposition ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|15,508,966 |- |align=left|Manuel Villar, Jr.||align=left|Genuine Opposition - NP ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|15,338,249 |- |align=left|Francis "Kiko" N. Pangilinan ||align=left|Independent - LP ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|14,534,322 |- |align=left|Benigno S. Aquino III||align=left|Genuine Opposition - LP ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|14,309,093 |- |align=left|Edgardo J. Angara, Jr.||align=left|TEAM Unity - LDP ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|12,657,538 |- |align=left|Joker P. Arroyo ||align=left|TEAM Unity - KAMPI ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|11,802,870 |- |align=left|Alan Peter S. Cayetano||align=left|Genuine Opposition - NP ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|11,787,475 |- |align=left|Gregorio B. Honasan||align=left|Independent ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|11,605,433 |- |align=left|Antonio F. Trillanes IV ||align=left|Genuine Opposition - GO ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|11,189,467 |- |align=left|Juan Miguel F. Zubiri||align=left|TEAM Unity - Lakas CMD ||bgcolor=#FFFFCC|11,004,099 |- |align=left|Aquilino D.L. Pimentel III||align=left|Genuine Opposition - PDP-Laban ||10,984,807 |- |align=left|Ralph G. Recto||align=left|TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD ||10,721,088 |- |align=left|Michael T. Defensor||align=left|TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD ||9,938,816 |- |align=left|Prospero A. Pichay, Jr.||align=left|TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD ||9,798,355 |- |align=left|Sonia M. Roco||align=left|Genuine Opposition - AD ||8,457,710 |- |align=left|Cesar M. Montano||align=left|TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD ||7,800,179 |- |align=left|Vicente C. Sotto III||align=left|TEAM Unity - NPC ||7,638,260 |- |align=left|John Henry R. Osmeña||align=left|Genuine Opposition - GO ||7,266,905 |- |align=left|Vicente P. Magsaysay||align=left|TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD ||6,357,769 |- |align=left|Anna Dominique "Nikki" Coseteng||align=left|Genuine Opposition - Independent ||5,274,571 |- |align=left|Teresa S. Aquino-Oreta||align=left|TEAM Unity - NPC ||4,361,969 |- |align=left|Luis "Chavit" C. Singson||align=left|TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD ||4,353,556 |- |align=left|Richard Gomez||align=left| Independent ||2,725,618 |- |align=left|Jamalul D. Kiram III ||align=left|TEAM Unity - PDSP ||2,488,553 |- |align=left|Melchor Chavez||align=left|Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ||843,675 |- |align=left|Martin Bautista||align=left|Ang Kapatiran ||761,157 |- |align=left|Zosimo Jesus Paredes II ||align=left|Ang Kapatiran ||713,812 |- |align=left|Joselito Cayetano*||align=left|Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ||510,340 |- |align=left|Adrian Sison||align=left|Ang Kapatiran ||402,324 |- |align=left|Oliver Lozano||align=left|Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ||305,637 |- |align=left|Antonio Estrella||align=left|Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ||285,479 |- |align=left|Victor Wood||align=left|Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ||283,033 |- |align=left|Felix Cantal||align=left|PGRP ||123,602 |- |align=left|Eduardo Orpilla ||align=left|Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ||107,512 |- |align=left|Ruben Enciso ||align=left|Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ||100,517 |- !style="background-color:#AAAAAA" colspan=2 align=left| Note: A total of 37 candidates ran for senator.^[1] !style="background-color:#AAAAAA" colspan=2 align=left|Source: COMELEC.gov.ph website |}

Summary of the 14 May 2007 House of Representatives of the Philippines election results |- !style="background-color:#E9E9E9" align=left valign=top|Parties !style="background-color:#E9E9E9" align=right|Seats |- |align=left colspan=2|This is the division of seats as published on the website of the House of Representatives.
The first party affiliation mentioned is counted. This is not the result of the elections. |- |align=left valign=top|Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Includes SARRO, BO-PK, PROMDI, KDT and UNA) |valign="top"|70 |- |align=left valign=top|Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Includes Padajon Surigao, 1-CEBU, UNA and PTM) |valign="top"|47 |- |align=left valign=top|Nationalist People's Coalition (Includes Achievers with Integrity Movement) |valign="top"|26 |- |align=left valign=top|Liberal |valign="top"|16 |- |align=left valign=top|Nacionalista Party (Includes Abante Viscaya) |valign="top"|6 |- |align=left valign=top|Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan |valign="top"|4 |- |align=left valign=top|Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas |valign="top"|3 |- |align=left valign=top|Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino |valign="top"|3 |- |align=left valign=top|Genuine Opposition |valign="top"|3 |- |align=left valign=top|Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino |valign="top"|3 |- |align=left valign=top|Koalisyon ng mga Pulitikong na Maka-Administrasyon |valign="top"|3 |- |align=left valign=top|Independents (Caucuses with the Genuine Opposition) |valign="top"|5 |- |align=left valign=top|Buhay Hayaan Yumabong |valign="top"|3 |- |align=left valign=top|Bayan Muna |valign="top"|2 |- |align=left valign=top|Citizen's Battle Against Corruption |valign="top"|2 |- |align=left valign=top|Gabriela Women's Party |valign="top"|2 |- |align=left valign=top|Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives |valign="top"|2 |- |align=left valign=top|Kilusang Bagong Lipunan |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|Abono |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment through Action, Cooperation and Harmony Towards Educational Reforms, Inc. |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|Akbayan ! Citizens' Action Party |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|Alliance of Rural Concerns |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|Anak Mindanao |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|Anak Pawis |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|An Waray |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|Cooperative–Natco Network Party |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left valign=top|Luzon Farmers Party |valign="top"|1 |- |align=left style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Total |width="30" align="right" style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|237 |- |align=left colspan=2|Source: Congress Web site |}

See also: List of Party-list Nominees in the Philippines

Summary of the 14 May 2007 House of Representatives of the Philippines Party-List election result |- !style="background-color:#E9E9E9" align=left valign=top|Party-list !style="background-color:#E9E9E9" align=right|Votes !style="background-color:#E9E9E9" align=right|% |- |align=left colspan=3|Below is the result of the party-list vote. Most seats in the Congress are not elected through the party list system. |- |align=left valign=top|Buhay Hayaan Yumabong |valign="top"|1,169,248 |valign="top"|7.42 |- |align=left valign=top|Bayan Muna |valign="top"|976,699 |valign="top"|6.20 |- |align=left valign=top|Citizen's Battle Against Corruption |valign="top"|755,605 |valign="top"|4.79 |- |align=left valign=top|Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives |valign="top"|621,211 |valign="top"|3.94 |- |align=left valign=top|Gabriela Women's Party |valign="top"|621,086 |valign="top"|3.94 |- |align=left valign=top|Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action, Cooperation and Harmony Towards Educational Reforms, Inc. |valign="top"|487,354 |valign="top"|3.09 |- |align=left valign=top|Akbayan! Citizen's Action Party |valign="top"|466,019 |valign="top"|2.96 |- |align=left valign=top|Alagad |valign="top"|423,090 |valign="top"|2.68 |- |align=left valign=top|Cooperative NATCCO Network Party |valign="top"|409,812 |valign="top"|2.60 |- |align=left valign=top|Luzon Farmers Party |valign="top"|409,133 |valign="top"|2.60 |- |align=left valign=top|Bagong Alyansang Tagapagtaguyod ng Adhikaing Sambayanan |valign="top"|385,654 |valign="top"|2.45 |- |align=left valign=top|Alliance of Rural Concerns |valign="top"|373,840 |valign="top"|2.37 |- |align=left valign=top|Anak Pawis |valign="top"|369,366 |valign="top"|2.34 |- |align=left valign=top|Abono |valign="top"|339,897 |valign="top"|2.16 |- |align=left valign=top|Anak Mindanao |valign="top"|338,125 |valign="top"|2.15 |- |align=left valign=top|Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. |valign="top"|328,649 |valign="top"|2.09 |- |align=left style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Total |width="30" align="right" style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|30,049,524 |- |align=left colspan=3|Source: COMELEC |} During the American occupation, the Nacionalista Party (more like the Republicans) was the dominant party at the time. This, however, was interrupted by World War II, when during the Japanese occupation, a new party, the Kapisanan ng Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI), was formed. It was the only party that was allowed to operate during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

After the war, KALIBAPI was abolished and the Nacionalistas returned to power. However, a new party, the Liberal Party (similar to the Democrats), was formed after some Nacionalistas led by Jose P. Laurelsplit from the original party. This de facto two-party system was kept until 1972.

However, when Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, he formed his own monolithic party, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL, New Society Movement). The traditional parties were sidelined. Worse, most of his political opponents were incarcerated, tortured or even killed. But, a majority of the KBL members were ex-Nacionalistas, ex-Liberals and others. In 1978, Marcos called an election to the interim Batasang Pambansa and an opposition party was formed known as LABAN. Among the candidates then were Benigno Aquino, Ernesto Maceda, Alex Bongcayao to name a few. During that election, Only Maceda was elected .

In 1984, many opposition parties sprang up. Among them are PDP-LABAN (different from the original LABAN party) of Aquilino Pimentel, the UNIDO, or the United Nationalist Democratic Organization of Salvador Laurel, the Liberal Party-Kalaw Wing and Lakas ng Bansa. The UNIDO would later be an umbrella coalition of opposition against Ferdinand Marcos.

The Liberal Party-Salonga Wing, National Union Of Christian Democrats and BANDILA joined the leftist forces.

After Marcos was overthrown in the People Power Revolution, other parties appeared, such as Partido Nacionalista ng Pilipinas, the National Union of Christian Democrats, the Philippine Democratic Socialist Party and BANDILA.

in 1987 the opposition parties merge into the Grand Alliance for Democracy (GAD) these parties are: the Nacionalista Party, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, the Partido Nacionalista ng Pilipinas, the Liberal Party-Kalaw Wing, the Mindanao Alliance, the Muslim Federal Party and other opposition groups.

in 1988 the Lakas ng Bansa headed by Ramon Mitra and PDP-LABAN (Cojuangco Wing) joined forces to form the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino or LDP that caused also the ruling coalition split and the unification of the Nacionalista Party.

in 1989 the anti-Aquino elements reunited at PICC for the Unificatio of the Nacionalista Party this leaders of NP are: Blas Ople, Isidro Rodriguez, Rafael Palmares, Rafael Recto, Francisco Tatad, Jose Rono, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose Zubiri, Zossimo Jesus Paredes II, Romeo Jalosjos, Mamintal A.J. Tamano, Salvador Laurel, Sotero Laurel, Frisco San Juan, Alfonso Roy Jr., Ernesto Maceda, Arturo Tolentino, Roilo Golez, Eva Estrada Kalaw, Edith Rabat, Vicente Puyat, Jose B. Laurel Jr. and Others.

In 1992 elections, the LDP was split in half. Fidel V. Ramos formed his own party known as the Partido Lakas ng Tao, which coalesced with the National Union of Christian Democrats. Their union was later known as the Lakas-NUCD, now known as Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats. The LDP was bannered by Ramon Mitra. During these elections, the Nacionalista Party was also split into two. The Nacionalistas were led by Salvador Laurel while the splinter group led by Danding Cojuangco was known as the Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC.

In the 1998 elections, three new political parties were formed: the Partido ng Masang Pilipino of Joseph Estrada, the Aksyon Demokratiko (Democratic Action) of Raul Roco, and the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (KAMPI) of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

There are other regional political parties, such as Panaghiusa (precursor of the Osmeñas' BO-PK) and the Mindanao Alliance in Mindanao. However, many of these parties are now defunct.

It is believed that Philippine political parties share one common platform. However, it is also perceived that Philippine political parties are also not based on political platform, but rather on personality. Turncoatism is so widespread that there were moves from lawmakers in the past to make this illegal, since it is believed that switching party allegiances are easy in Philippine politics. The image of turncoatism among politicians also fuels the belief that many Philippine politicians are opportunist, using their political power for personal gain.

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 2007, there are 81 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. A Philippine province is headed by a Governor. The Provincial Council (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) is composed of the Vice Governor (Presiding Officer) and Provincial Board Members. A Philippine city and municipality is headed by a Mayor. The City Council (Sangguniang Panlungsod) or Municipal Council (Sangguniang Bayan) is composed of the Vice Mayor (Presiding Officer) and City or Municipal Councilors. A barangay is headed by a Barangay Captain who is also the presiding officer of the barangay council. The Barangay Council is composed of kagawads. A similar unit called Youth Council (Sangguniang Kabataan) is headed by a SK Chairperson who had similar rank of a Barangay Captain. The council is composed of SK Members.

The term of office of all local elective officials elected is three (3) years, starting from noon of June 30 of an election year. No local elective official shall serve for more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same position. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of service for the full term for which the elective official concerned was elected. Barangay and SK officials are elected to a term of five years starting from noon of the date as prescribed by law. The current barangay organic law sets the date of November 12, 2007 as effectivity date. The current barangay and SK officials started terms August 15, 2002. The next barangay and SK election will be on October 29, 2007.

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 region, which is autonomous. The Cordillera Administrative Region will become an autonomous region and will receive the setup granted to Muslim Mindanao if voters would approve an organic law that would create a Cordillera Autonomous Region.

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International organization participation

The Philippines is a founding and active member of the United Nations since its inception on October 24 1945 and is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Philippines is also a member of the East Asia Summit (EAS)), an active player in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Latin Union and a member of the Group of 24. The country is a major non-NATO ally of the U.S., but also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Memberships: APEC (1989), AsDB (1966), ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, ITUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UNU, UPU, ITUC, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO,

See also

• Regions of the Philippines
• Provinces of the Philippines
• Cities of the Philippines
• Philippine municipality
• Barangay

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