Mary the Queen College (Pampanga)

We Transform Lives

Senior High School Department

Subject Code: SHSPPG Module No./Title: 6/ The Executive

Subject Description: This course introduces Period of Coverage:
the students to the basic concepts and vital
elements of politics and governance from a
historical-institutional perspective. In
particular, it attempts to explain how the
important features of our country’s political
structures/institutions, processes, and
relationships developed across time. In the
process, the course helps the learners gain a
better appreciation of their rights and
responsibilities as individuals and as members
of the larger sociopolitical community to
strengthen their civic competence.
Introduction:

Figure 1

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 Figure 2

The Philippines has adapted the presidential, unitary and republican system of government.
Under a presidential system of government, the executive, legislative and judiciary branches
are separate and distinct from each other. This means that each of the branches are separate
and distinct from each other. This means that each of the branches bestowed with the
independent powers and responsibilities, and that each is expected to work in its own sphere.
While it’s true that they are distinct from each other, one branch is granted powers to check on
the other’s exercise as prescribed legal mandates. This Constitutional provision is a guarantee
which assure that one branch does not abuse its powers is known as the doctrine of checks and
balances. While the branches of the government are guided by these principles, they are also
expected to work and cooperate with each other in providing for the welfare of the citizens. In
this lesson, the structure and organization, powers and responsibilities, and issues and
challenges of the Philippine executive are discussed.

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:
 Discuss the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances;
 Explain the roles and powers of the Philippine presidents;
 Analyze how contemporary Philippine presidents exercised their powers;
 Critique the Philippine president’s exercise powers; and
 Explain current issues and challenges to the Philippine executive.
Content:

Executive Power

Executive power is roughly defined as the power to implement laws in one’s given and
defined jurisdiction. If the legislature’s task is to create or make laws while the judiciary’s
duty is to interpret or apply the laws, the executive branch of the government is vested the
power to execute these laws and make sure that they are properly implemented.
The structure, organization, powers, responsibilities and prohibitions of the executive branch

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are provided under Article VII of the 1987 Constitution. Section 1 states that the “executive
power is vested in the President of the Philippines.”
Given this, the president is entrusted to execute laws, and control and administer government
affairs. The president is also regarded as the government’s chief executive officer.
Qualification, Election and Terms of the office of the President and Vice President, as
provide for in the Article VII of the 1987 Constitution

Public Official Qualification Manner of Election Term of Office

President 1. A natural The president and Six years
born citizen vice president shall
2. A registered be elected by a direct The term begins at
voter vote of people noon on June 30.
3. Able to read (section 4)
and write
4. At least 40 The person having The president shall
years of age the highest number not be eligible for
on the day of of votes (plurality reelection (Section4,
the election method) shall be paragraph 1)
5. A resident of elected.
the
Philippines
for at least 10
years
immediately
preceding his
or her
election
(section 2)
Vice President Six Years

The vice president

shall not serve for
more than two
successive terms
(Section 4, paragraph
1)

Should there be any questions or contentions pertaining to the election process and results, the
Supreme Court is mandated to settle questions about the election, returns, and qualifications of
these officials. As provided by Article VII, Section 4: “the Supreme Court, sitting en banc, is
the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the
Presidents or Vice President.” The Supreme Court serves therefore as the Presidential
Electoral Tribunal.
Powers of the President
The Philippine president is granted specific power by the Constitution. The following are some

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of his or her powers:
 Control all over executive departments, bureaus, and offices
 Power of general supervision over local governments and autonomous regions
 Power to nominate, appoint, and remove officials
 Budgetary and fiscal power
 Military power (him or her being the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines)
 Power to contract or guarantee foreign loans in behalf of the country
 Pardoning power
 Power to check other branches of the government

Checks on the President’s power

Here are the ways on how the president’s exercise of power is checked.
 The Congress specifies the conditions and restrictions of certain powers it assigns to
the president.
 Only through the authorization and specifications of Congress could the president
exercise power of taxation.
 The Congress can request the department heads under the executive department to
appear and be heard on any matters pertaining to their corresponding departments.
 The Congress can override the president’s veto by two-thirds vote in each house.
 The Supreme Court may declare executive orders and proclamations unconstitutional
 The Supreme Court may review the declaration of martial law and suspension of the
writ of habeas corpus.
Corazon Aquino
President Corazon Aquino has been regarded as an icon of Philippine democracy. It was
during her term that the Philippines found its way back to democracy and constitutionalism.
Her leadership directed redemocratization in the Philippines, that is, rebuilding of democratic
political institutions that were abolished during Marcos’ time. It was under her administration
that elections and other mechanisms for popular participation in governmental affairs-
including political parties and the civil society- were restored. Definitely, her administration
focused on the transition from authoritarianism to democracy. Apart from these,
constitutionalism was also restored, where in civilian authority was held supreme over the
military and the independent and coequal branches of the government were created.
While Aquino’s government was characterized by bargain and compromise, there was
important legislation that was passed such as the Local Government Code of 1991. She also
dealt with the issues and charges of human rights violations by the military during the Martial
Law. Aquino, however, was not able to prosecute the involved military leaders because she
needed support for her administration to succeed. Still, her administration was disrupted by
about seven coup attempts- an average of one per year. That definitely is politically unstable.
Aquino also initiated bureaucratic reforms. Apart from devolution of powers as provide by the
Local Government Code of 1991, Regional Development Council were created to work on
economic and social planning. Reforms for accountability and transparency of public officials
also took place. with regard to problems of counterinsurgency and peace and order, Aquino
addressed these through the creation of Autonomous Regions (the Cordillera Adminstrative
Region in 1987 and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in1989) as provide by the
1987 Constitution.

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Aquino’s presidency was not without criticisms. While she vowed to work on corruption and
transparency, her administration would later on be criticized for its failure to stabilize
democratic institutions and deliver basic services and allegations of corruption among her
wealthy and influential relatives.

Fidel V. Ramos
President Fidel Ramos is known for his vision of Philippines 2000. His administration opened
the Philippine economy to foreign investors, prompting increased investments in the country
after Martial Law.
He consolidated the gains of redemocratization, whose foundations were laid by Aquino.
Among his ideals was the Philippines 2000, which focused on political continuity and strong
improvements in the economy. While skepticism about a possible declaration of martial law
grew during his time, he respected the ideals enshrined in the constitution when he stepped
down from the presidency for the 1998 general elections.
Ramos dealt well with the members of the Philippine legislature through the rainbow coalition
strategy directed by then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. this strategy brought together various
political parties to support the legislative agenda of the president. Because of this harmonious
relationship, significant legislation was passed through legislative Executive Development
Advisor Council. But Ramos ability to deal well of the members of the Congress is not only
attributed to the strong political leadership of the Lakas-NUCD, but also to his strong politilcal
skills, which he was able to develop as a former military general.
However, just like his predecessor, Ramos was seen to be weak in prosecuting military rebels.
While Ramos was credited for keeping the military within their constitutional limit, his
inability to punish military personnel who violated human rights exhibited his dependence on
this group as well. It was also in his administration that the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang
Makabansa- Soldiers of the Filipino People- Young Officers’ Union (RAM_SFP_YOU) and
the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) returned to the folds of law through peace talks.
Regarding bureaucratic reform, Ramos continued modernization and capacity-building in the
government. He also modernized the Armed forces, the Commission on Elections, the
Department of Justice, and the Sandingan Bayan. To address the problems on peace and order,
Ramos forged negotiations and peace agreements with rebel groups. If Aquino projected in the
international arena the image of Filipino people power and return to democracy, Ramos
pursued international relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN), the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the United Nation (UN).
His administration was criticized corruption, despite his efforts to promote transparency and
accountability in the government. He was accused of corruption in the PEA-AMARI scam for
favoring the said group in the Manila Bay reclamation deal, misuse of funds in the Centennial
Expo, and the conversion of the parts of the military base in Fort Bonifacio to private or
civilian use.

Joseph Estrada

Joseph Estrada was a former movie actor. He became known for his charisma and appeal to
the masses. But because of plunder and corruption in the government, he was deposed and was
succeeded by his vice president.
Estrada was known as the president of the masses. His campaign cry “Erap para sa mahirap”
brought hope to the masa who saw him as the president who could relate to them. At the core

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of his government policies was addressing problems of poverty, criminality, and corruption.
He wanted to further democratize governance by being a roving president- holding offices in
Visayas and in Mindanao. Aside from continuing the democratic consolidation, Estrada gave
cause for constitutionalism when he answered questions against his administration during the
impeachment complaint faced in 2000.
Unlike the previous president, Estrada did not have a good rapport with the members of the
11th Congress. Later on, The House of Representatives, through Speaker Manuel Villar,
obtained required signatures for Estrada’s impeachment. Estrada also pleased and displeased
members of the military after suspending the modernization of the Armed Forces cutting its
financial resources. He defended the move by saying that the government had to tighten its
budget.
Just like his predecessor who vowed to fight graft and corruption, Estrada failed to address this
systematic problem. In fact, his administration was rocked with unending issues of diversion
of funds and plunder by government officials. Ultimately, he was charged of four counts of
corruption. He was eventually deposed in 2001 when the Filipino people called for his
resignation in the EDSA People Power II.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

A former member of the Congress, President Gloria Arroyo rose to power in the EDSA People
Power II when she, as vice president, assumed the country’s top governmental post after
Estrada was ousted. In 2004, she was elected for a fresh presidential term, where she served
until 2010, amid issues of massive electoral fraud against Fernando Poe Jr. Her primary
agenda was known as the Strong Republic.
Credited for bringing the trust of the international arena back to the Philippine government,
Arroyo continued democratic consolidation during the term of Estrada. Legislative-executive
relations were definitely excellent during the time of Arroyo because unlike her predecessor,
she was more familiar and skillful in dealing with the members of the Congress. While
impeachment complaints were tempted due to the issue of massive electoral fraud during the
2004 elections- infamously known as the “Hello Garci” scandal- it did not proper as she was
supported by her allies in the Congress.
Learning from the past experience of the previous presidents and the Oakland Mutiny that
challenged her administration, she appointed several retired military officers in her
administration while keeping a close watch over the military’s need so as not to disappoint
them.
In spite of bureaucratic reform during her administration, Arroyo was criticized for appointing
political allies to vital government offices. There also was a weak reform in the justice system,
the Commission on Elections and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. While she declared to fight
graft and corruption in her first State of Nation Address (SONA) , introduced several key
strategies, and even established new anti-corruption agencies during her administration,
questions about the effectiveness of these policies and institutions were raised. Arroyo faced
graft and corruption cases filed against her during the administration of President Benigno
Aquino III.

Benigno C. Aquino III

Benigno C. Aquino III’s rise to power started when the people called for him to run as

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president months after his mother, Corazon Aquino, died in 2009. In 2010, he won the
presidential election and became the 15th president of the country. Aquino began his efforts to
get rid of a corruption-laden government via the campaign slogan “Daang Matuwid” His
SONA focused on governance reform and anti-corruption.
Good governance reform were established, including the reformation of procurement and
budgeting processes to ensure efficiency and to reduce opportunities for corruption. While
others believe that the impeachment of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2011 was
politically motivated him being an Arroyo appointee, the Aquino administration believed it
was part of the reform for accountability and restoration of integrity.
The Aquino administration’s efforts to address systematic corruption have received favorable
commendations from both international and local organizations, which resulted in the
improvement of the country’s performance on corruption and political stability. However, the
priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam rocked the administration’s efforts
toward “Daang Matuwid” and its promise of good governance, greater transparency, and
accountability.
Like in previous administrations, Aquino was challenged by the search for an enduring
solution to the peace problem in the southern part of the country. In October 2012, the
government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a peace agreement. The
agreement served as the arranged framework that would create an autonomous political entity
called Banggsomoro, which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM). The bill, called the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), that would have established this
political entity was not passed because it was challenged with strong public opposition after
the Mamasapano incidentin Maguindanao, where 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos
were killed after a “misencounter” with the Moro rebels.
Aquino’s administration also saw a reform in the education sector after the Enhanced Basic
Education Act of 2013 was signed. The law institutionalized the K to 12 Basic Education
Program, an expanded curriculum which aimed to decongest the curriculum of the previous
basic education program, and make it at par with regional and international standards. Despite
the aims of the reform, several groups pointed out the government should addressed first the
lack of classrooms, textbooks, and other resources instead of adding two years in the basic
education.

Rodrigo R. Duterte
Before being elected as president, Rodrigo Duterte was the longest-serving local chief
executive of Davao City for a total of seven terms. “Change is Coming”- primarily with a
platform of having a corruption free government and crime and drug-free society- Duterte won
as president with a total of 16 601 997 votes or 39% of the total votes cast in the May 2016
elections.
In his promise to stamp out corruption and criminality, he said :” I will be strict. I will be a
dictator, no doubt it; but only against forces of evil- criminality, drugs, and corruption in
government” Having successfully rallied the campaign under these themes, Duterte, however,
has been criticized for the absence of coherent socioeconomic policy during this period.
Known for his inflammatory comments, he has also long been besieged by allegations of ties
to several death squads, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations.
Based on the eight-point economic agenda of Duterte released on 12 May 2016, the
administration is set to continue the previous administration’s policies.

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 1. Continue to maintain the current macroeconomics policies. Reforms in tax revenue
collection efforts will be complemented by reforms within the bureaucracy of tax
collecting agencies.
2. Accelerate spending on infrastructure by addressing major bottlenecks, and maintain
the target of setting aside 5% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to
infrastructure spending.
3. Ensure attractiveness of the Philippines to foreign investors, and enhancing
competiveness in doing business in the country.
4. Provide support services to small services farmers to increase productivity and
improve market access.
5. Address bottlenecks in our land administration and management system.
6. Strengthening basic education system, and provide scholarships for tertiary education,
which are relevant to private employers’ needs.
7. Improve tax system by indexing tax collection to inflation rate
8. Expand and improve implementation of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.
In his first SONA delivered at the opening of the 17th Congress, Duterte focused as well on his
campaigns for good governance, peace and order, women’s rights and transparency.
Moreover, the president has been very vocal about the administration’s war against drugs
despite having been heavily criticized for the killings associated with his campaign.
Summary:
You have learned in this lesson the nature of executive power. It is the power of the executive
branch to implement the laws created by the legislature. Under Article VII, Section 1 of the
1987 Constitution, executive power is vested in the President of the Philippines. The
constitution provides qualifications and prohibitions to the president, but equally important are
the political skills and the political will needed in addressing key issues in the government-
from social welfare, economic development, public accountability, transparency, to good
governance, among many others. The Philippine president is challenged by the culture of
patronage and the use of popularity appeal rather than programs-based stance and reforms.
Learning Resources:

[Link]
[Link]

These links are just supplemental resources.

Evaluation:

The teacher will ask the students to choose a president who was able to create tremendous
improvement in Philippine society. Describe at least one program in his or her administration
to specify your answer.

References:
Sadera, J.M. (2018) Politics Governance for Senior High School. Jimczyville Publication

Francisco, P.S &Francisco, V.J. (2016) Introduction to Philippine Politics and Government.
MINDSHAPERS CO., INC.

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Calilung, F.C. (2016) Politics and Governance. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.

Velasco, M.M. (2020) Philippine Politics and Governance (Second Edition). Diwa Learning
System INC
Next Lesson: The Legislative

Prepared by: Ma. Therese G. Magtoto, LPT Checked by: (KTAyroso/English, Filipino,
and Kenneth M. Marin, LPT / English SocScie, and P.E Coordinator)
Department

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