Public Authorities of the Philippines 2

The Legislative Branch (Congress of the Philippines)

1. Senate

- 24 senators elected at large by voters

2. House of Representatives

- not more than 250, 20% of whom must be Party-list representatives.


Resolutions convey principles and sentiments of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

a) joint resolutions — require the approval of both chambers of Congress and the signature of the President, and have the force and effect of a law if approved.

b) concurrent resolutions — used for matters affecting the operations of both chambers of Congress and must be approved in the same form by both houses, but are not transmitted to the President for his signature and therefore have no force and effect of a law.

c) simple resolutions — deal with matters entirely within the prerogative of one chamber of Congress, are not referred to the President for his signature, and therefore have no force and effect of a law.


Bills are laws in the making. They pass into law when they are approved by both houses and the President of the Philippines. A bill may be vetoed by the President, but the House of Representatives may overturn a presidential veto by garnering a 2/3rds vote. If the President does not act on a proposed law submitted by Congress, it will lapse into law after 30 days of receipt.


The Judicial Branch

1. Supreme Court (SC)

It is the highest court in the Philippines. The chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the President of the Philippines, chosen from a shortlist submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council. The president must fill up a vacancy within 90 days of occurrence.


2. Court of Appeals

It is is the second highest tribunal in the country.


3. Trial Courts

There are Regional, Metropolitan, Municipal, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts.


There are two types of special courts.

1. Court of Tax Appeals

It, which is of the same level as the Court of Appeals, mostly engaged in Tax related appeals including tax related criminal offences.


2. Sandiganbayan

It is a special graft court created to attain the highest norms of official conduct among officials and employees in the government.