Politics of the Philippines 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 serves a term of six years and may no longer run for re-election, unless he/she becomes president through constitutional succession and have served for no more than 4 years as president. 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 succeeding Joseph Estrada during the EDSA 2 Revolution of 2001. The government is pursuing corruption-related criminal cases against former President 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. 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 Presidents of the Senate 1916-1935 Manuel Luis M. Quezon (United States occupation) 1945-1946 Manuel A. Roxas (Commonwealth government under United States) 1946-1949 Jose D. Avelino 1949-1951 Mariano Jesus L. Cuenco 1952-1952 Quintin B. Paredes 1952-1952 Camilo O. Osias 1952-1953 Eulogio A. Rodriguez 1953-1953 Jose C. Zulueta 1953-1963 Eulogio A. Rodriguez 1963-1965 Ferdinand E. Marcos 1966-1967 Arturo M. Tolentino 1967-1972 Gil J. Puyat 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 Q. Pimentel, Jr. 2001-pres Franklin M. Drilon 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. 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. Macasiar 1985-1986 Ramon C. Aquino 1986-1988 Claudio Teehankee 1988-1988 Pedro L. Yap 1988-1991 Marcelo B. Fernan 1991-1998 Andres R. Narvasa 1998-Pres Hilario G. Davide, Jr. Political parties and leaders Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) (Fight of the Democratic Filipino): Edgardo Angara, president; Agapito Aquino, secretary-general. Lakas-CMD (Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats): Fidel V. Ramos, chairman; Jose De Venecia, secretary-general Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC): Frisco F. San Juan, chairman. Liberal Party (LP): Florencio Abad, president; Benigno Aquino III, secretary general. Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) (Democratic Party of the Philippines-Strength of the Nation": Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., president. Partido ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Filipino Masses): Joseph Estrada, Chairman. Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma-Lapiang Manggagawa (PDR-LM) (Democratic Reform Party-Labor Group): Roberto Sebastian, president; Rafael Colet, secretary general. Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) (New Society Movement): Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., president; Vicente Millora, chairman. Nacionalista Party (NP): Manuel Villar, president Aksyon Demokratiko (Democratic Action): Raul Roco. People's Reform Party (PRP): Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Partido Isang Bansa, Isang Diwa (PIBID) (One Nation, One Spirit): Eddie Gil, president; Elizabeth Samson, vice president. 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 Related Articles Philippines Political History of the Philippines Constitution of the Philippines President of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Senate of the Philippines House of Representatives of the Philippines Supreme Court of the Philippines Regions of the Philippines Provinces of the Philippines Cities of the Philippines Philippine municipality Barangay Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. 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