Finals

Question 1

Art. VI, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 1

The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum.

Question 2

Article VI, Section 2 of 1987 Constitution

Answer 2

The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines, as may be provided by law.

Question 3

Article VI, Section 3 of 1987 Constitution

Answer 3

No person shall be a Senator unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, and, on the day of the election, is at least thirty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election.

Question 4

Article VI, Section 4 (1) of 1987 Constitution

Answer 4

The term of office of the Senators shall be six years and shall commence, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following their election.

Question 5

Article VI, Section 4 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 5

No Senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected.

Question 6

Article VI, Section 5 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 6

The House of Representatives shall be composed of not more than two hundred and fifty members, unless otherwise fixed by law, who shall be elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities, and the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of their respective inhabitants, and on the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and those who, as provided by law, shall be elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations.

Question 7

Article VI, Section 5 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 7

The party-list representatives shall constitute twenty per centum of the total number of representatives including those under the party list. For three consecutive terms after the ratification of this Constitution, one-half of the seats allocated to party-list representatives shall be filled, as provided by law, by selection or election from the labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, and such other sectors as may be provided by law, except the religious sector.

Question 8

Article VI, Section 5 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 8

Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. Each city with a population of at least two hundred fifty thousand, or each province, shall have at least one representative.

Question 9

Article VI, Section 5 (4) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 9

Within three years following the return of every census, the Congress shall make a reapportionment of legislative districts based on the standards provided in this section.

Question 10

Article VI, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 10

No person shall be a Member of the House of Representatives unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least twenty-five years of age, able to read and write, and, except the party-list representatives, a registered voter in the district in which he shall be elected, and a resident thereof for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the election.

Question 11

Article VI, Section 7 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 11

SECTION 7. The Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected for a term of three years which shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following their election.

Question 12

Article VI, Section 7 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 12

No member of the House of Representatives shall serve for more than three consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected.

Question 13

Article VI, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 13

Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election of the Senators and the Members of the House of Representatives shall be held on the second Monday of May.

Question 14

Article VI, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 14

In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House of Representatives, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law, but the Senator or Member of the House of Representatives thus elected shall serve only for the unexpired term.

Question 15

Article VI, Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 15

The salaries of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives shall be determined by law. No increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the expiration of the full term of all the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives approving such increase.

Question 16

Article VI, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 16

A Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session. No Member shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committee thereof.

Question 17

Article VI, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 17

All Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall, upon assumption of office, make a full disclosure of their financial and business interests. They shall notify the House concerned of a potential conflict of interest that may arise from the filing of a proposed legislation of which they are authors.

Question 18

Article VI, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 18

No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may hold any other office or employment in the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries, during his term without forfeiting his seat. Neither shall he be appointed to any office which may have been created or the emoluments thereof increased during the term for which he was elected.

Question 19

Article VI, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 19

No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office.

Question 20

Article VI, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 20

The Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session, unless a different date is fixed by law, and shall continue to be in session for such number of days as it may determine until thirty days before the opening of its next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The President may call a special session at any time.

Question 21

Article VI, Section 16 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 21

The Senate shall elect its President and the House of Representatives its Speaker, by a majority vote of all its respective Members.

Each House shall choose such other officers as it may deem necessary.

Question 22

Article VI, Section 16 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 22

A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may compel the attendance of absent Members in such manner, and under such penalties, as such House may provide.

Question 23

Article VI, Section 16 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 23

Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members, suspend or expel a Member. A penalty of suspension, when imposed, shall not exceed sixty days.

Question 24

Article VI, Section 16 (4) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 24

Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in its judgment, affect national security; and the yeas and nays on any question shall, at the request of one-fifth of the Members present, be entered in the Journal.

Each House shall also keep a Record of its proceedings.

Question 25

Article VI, Section 16 (5) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 25

Neither House during the sessions of the Congress shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Question 26

Article VI, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 26

The Senate and the House of Representatives shall each have an Electoral Tribunal which shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of their respective Members. Each Electoral Tribunal shall be composed of nine Members, three of whom shall be Justices of the Supreme Court to be designated by the Chief Justice, and the remaining six shall be Members of the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may be, who shall be chosen on the basis of proportional representation from the political parties and the parties or organizations registered under the party-list system represented therein. The senior Justice in the Electoral Tribunal shall be its Chairman.

Question 27

Article VI, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 27

There shall be a Commission on Appointments consisting of the President of the Senate, as ex officio Chairman, twelve Senators, and twelve Members of the House of Representatives, elected by each House on the basis of proportional representation from the political parties or organizations registered under the party-list system represented therein. The Chairman of the Commission shall not vote, except in case of a tie. The Commission shall act on all appointments submitted to it within thirty session days of the Congress from their submission. The Commission shall rule by a majority vote of all the Members.

Question 28

Article VI, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 28

The Electoral Tribunals and the Commission on Appointments shall be constituted within thirty days after the Senate and the House of Representatives shall have been organized with the election of the President and the Speaker. The Commission on Appointments shall meet only while the Congress is in session, at the call of its Chairman or a majority of all its Members, to discharge such powers and functions as are herein conferred upon it.

Question 29

Article VI, Section 20 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 29

The records and books of accounts of the Congress shall be preserved and be open to the public in accordance with law, and such books shall be audited by the Commission on Audit which shall publish annually an itemized list of amounts paid to and expenses incurred for each Member.

Question 30

Article VI, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 30

The Senate or the House of Representatives or any of its respective committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of procedure. The rights of persons appearing in or affected by such inquiries shall be respected.

Question 31

Article VI, Section 22 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 31

The heads of departments may upon their own initiative, with the consent of the President, or upon the request of either House, as the rules of each House shall provide, appear before and be heard by such House on any matter pertaining to their departments. Written questions shall be submitted to the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives at least three days before their scheduled appearance. Interpellations shall not be limited to written questions, but may cover matters related thereto. When the security of the State or the public interest so requires and the President so states in writing, the appearance shall be conducted in executive session.

Question 32

Article VI, Section 23 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 32

The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session assembled, voting separately, shall have the sole power to declare the existence of a state of war.

Question 33

Article VI, Section 23 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 33

In times of war or other national emergency, the Congress may, by law, authorize the President, for a limited period and subject to such restrictions as it may prescribe, to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out a declared national policy. Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution of the Congress, such powers shall cease upon the next adjournment thereof.

Question 34

Article VI, Section 24 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 34

All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.

Question 35

Article VI, Section 25 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 35

The Congress may not increase the appropriations recommended by the President for the operation of the Government as specified in the budget. The form, content, and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by law.

Question 36

Article VI, Section 25 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 36

No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the general appropriations bill unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation therein. Any such provision or enactment shall be limited in its operation to the appropriation to which it relates.

Question 37

Article VI, Section 25 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 37

The procedure in approving appropriations for the Congress shall strictly follow the procedure for approving appropriations for other departments and agencies.

Question 38

Article VI, Section 25 (4) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 38

A special appropriations bill shall specify the purpose for which it is intended, and shall be supported by funds actually available as certified by the National Treasurer, or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposed therein.

Question 39

Article VI, Section 25 (5) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 39

No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations; however, the President, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the heads of Constitutional Commissions may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the general appropriations law for their respective offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations.

Question 40

Article VI, Section 25 (6) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 40

Discretionary funds appropriated for particular officials shall be disbursed only for public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may be prescribed by law.

Question 41

Article VI, Section 25 (7) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 41

If, by the end of any fiscal year, the Congress shall have failed to pass the general appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the general appropriations law for the preceding fiscal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and effect until the general appropriations bill is passed by the Congress.

Question 42

Article VI, Section 26 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 42

Every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.

Question 43

Article VI, Section 26 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 43

No bill passed by either House shall become a law unless it has passed three readings on separate days, and printed copies thereof in its final form have been distributed to its Members three days before its passage, except when the President certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency. Upon the last reading of a bill, no amendment thereto shall be allowed, and the vote thereon shall be taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays entered in the Journal.

Question 44

Article VI, Section 27 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 44

Every bill passed by the Congress shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President. If he approves the same, he shall sign it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same with his objections to the House where it originated, which shall enter the objections at large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of all the Members of such House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of all the Members of that House, it shall become a law. In all such cases, the votes of each House shall be determined by yeas or nays, and the names of the Members voting for or against shall be entered in its Journal. The President shall communicate his veto of any bill to the House where it originated within thirty days after the date of receipt thereof; otherwise, it shall become a law as if he had signed it.

Question 45

Article VI, Section 27 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 45

The President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.

Question 46

Article VI, Section 28 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 46

The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation.

Question 47

Article VI, Section 28 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 47

The Congress may, by law, authorize the President to fix within specified limits, and subject to such limitations and restrictions as it may impose, tariff rates, import and export quotas, tonnage and wharfage dues, and other duties or imposts within the framework of the national development program of the Government.

Question 48

Article VI, Section 28 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 48

Charitable institutions, churches and parsonages or convents appurtenant thereto, mosques, non-profit cemeteries, and all lands, buildings, and improvements, actually, directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable, or educational purposes shall be exempt from taxation.

Question 49

Article VI, Section 28 (4) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 49

No law granting any tax exemption shall be passed without the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress.

Question 50

Article VI, Section 29 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 50

No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law.

Question 51

Article VI, Section 29 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 51

No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium.

Question 52

Article VI, Section 29 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 52

All money collected on any tax levied for a special purpose shall be treated as a special fund and paid out for such purpose only. If the purpose for which a special fund was created has been fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall be transferred to the general funds of the Government.

Question 53

Article VI, Section 30 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 53

No law shall be passed increasing the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as provided in this Constitution without its advice and concurrence.

Question 54

Article VI, Section 31 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 54

No law granting a title of royalty or nobility shall be enacted.

Question 55

Article VI, Section 32 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 55

The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom, whereby the people can directly propose and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law or part thereof passed by the Congress or local legislative body after the registration of a petition therefor signed by at least ten per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters thereof.

Question 56

Article VII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 56

The executive power shall be vested in the President of the Philippines .

Question 57

Article VII, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 57

No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election.

Question 58

Article VII, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 58

There shall be a Vice-President who shall have the same qualifications and term of office and be elected with and in the same manner as the President. He may be removed from office in the same manner as the President.

The Vice-President may be appointed as a Member of the Cabinet. Such appointment requires no confirmation.

Question 59

Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 59

The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date six years thereafter. The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.

No Vice-President shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of the service for the full term for which he was elected.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election for President and Vice-President shall be held on the second Monday of May.

The returns of every election for President and Vice-President, duly certified by the board of canvassers of each province or city, shall be transmitted to the Congress, directed to the President of the Senate. Upon receipt of the certificates of canvass, the President of the Senate shall, not later than thirty days after the day of the election, open all certificates in the presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives in joint public session, and the Congress, upon determination of the authenticity and due execution thereof in the manner provided by law, canvass the votes.

The person having the highest number of votes shall be proclaimed elected, but in case two or more shall have an equal and highest number of votes, one of them shall forthwith be chosen by the vote of a majority of all the Members of both Houses of the Congress, voting separately.

The Congress shall promulgate its rules for the canvassing of the certificates.

The Supreme Court, sitting en banc, shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the President or Vice- President, and may promulgate its rules for the purpose.

Question 60

Article VII, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 60

Before they enter on the execution of their office, the President, the Vice-President, or the Acting President shall take the following oath or affirmation :

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President (or Vice-President or Acting President) of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God.” (In case of affirmation, last sentence will be omitted.)

Question 61

Article VII, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 61

The President shall have an official residence. The salaries of the President and Vice-President shall be determined by law and shall not be decreased during their tenure. No increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the expiration of the term of the incumbent during which such increase was approved. They shall not receive during their tenure any other emolument from the Government or any other source.

Question 62

Article VII, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 62

The President-elect and the Vice-President-elect shall assume office at the beginning of their terms.

If the President-elect fails to qualify, the Vice-President-elect shall act as President until the President-elect shall have qualified.

If a President shall not have been chosen, the Vice-President-elect shall act as President until a President shall have been chosen and qualified.

If at the beginning of the term of the President, the President-elect shall have died or have become permanently disabled, the Vice-President-elect shall become President.

Where no President and Vice-President shall have been chosen or shall have qualified, or where both shall have died or become permanently disabled, the President of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall act as President until a President or a Vice-President shall have been chosen and qualified.

The Congress shall, by law, provide for the manner in which one who is to act as President shall be selected until a President or a Vice-President shall have qualified, in case of death, permanent disability, or inability of the officials mentioned in the next preceding paragraph.

Question 63

Article VII, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 63

In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired term. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of both the President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall then act as President until the President or Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified.

The Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve as President in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President. He shall serve until the President or the Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified, and be subject to the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as the Acting President.

Question 64

Article VII, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 64

Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the Vice-President during the term for which he was elected, the President shall nominate a Vice-President from among the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who shall assume office upon confirmation of a majority vote of all the Members of both Houses of the Congress, voting separately.

Question 65

Article VII, Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 65

The Congress shall, at ten o’clock in the morning of the third day after the vacancy in the offices of the President and Vice-President occurs, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call and within seven days enact a law calling for a special election to elect a President and a Vice-President to be held not earlier than forty-five days nor later than sixty days from the time of such call. The bill calling such special election shall be deemed certified under paragraph 2, Section 26, Article VI of this Constitution and shall become law upon its approval on third reading by the Congress. Appropriations for the special elections shall be charged against any current appropriations and shall be exempt from the requirements of paragraph 4, Section 25, Article VI of this Constitution. The convening of the Congress cannot be suspended nor the special election postponed. No special election shall be called if the vacancy occurs within eighteen months before the date of the next presidential election.

Question 66

Article VII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 66

Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President.

Whenever a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall reassume the powers and duties of his office. Meanwhile, should a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit within five days to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Congress shall decide the issue. For that purpose, the Congress shall convene, if it is not in session, within forty-eight hours, in accordance with its rules and without need of call.

If the Congress, within ten days after receipt of the last written declaration, or, if not in session, within twelve days after it is required to assemble, determines by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, voting separately, that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President shall act as the President; otherwise, the President shall continue exercising the powers and duties of his office.

Question 67

Article VII, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 67

In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health. The Members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines , shall not be denied access to the President during such illness.

Question 68

Article VII, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 68

The President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, and their deputies or assistants shall not, unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, hold any other office or employment during their tenure. They shall not, during said tenure, directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any business, or be financially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise, or special privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. They shall strictly avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office.

The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree of the President shall not during his tenure be appointed as members of the Constitutional Commissions, or the Office of the Ombudsman, or as Secretaries, Undersecretaries, chairmen or heads of bureaus or offices, including government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.

Question 69

Article VII, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 69

Appointments extended by an Acting President shall remain effective, unless revoked by the elected President within ninety days from his assumption or reassumption of office.

Question 70

Article VII, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 70

Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.

Question 71

Article VII, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 71

The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, or officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in him in this Constitution. He shall also appoint all other officers of the Government whose appointments are not otherwise provided for by law, and those whom he may be authorized by law to appoint. The Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of other officers lower in rank in the President alone, in the courts, or in the heads of departments, agencies, commissions, or boards.

The President shall have the power to make appointments during the recess of the Congress, whether voluntary or involuntary, but such appointments shall be effective only until after disapproval by the Commission on Appointments or until the next adjournment of the Congress.

Question 72

Article VII, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 72

The President shall control of all the executive departments, bureaus and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.

Question 73

Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 73

The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President. Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.

The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hours following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without any need of a call.

The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing.

A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or the legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ.

The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only to persons judicially charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in or directly connected with the invasion.

During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise he shall be released.

Question 74

Article VII, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 74

Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment.

He shall also have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress.

Question 75

Article VII, Section 20 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 75

The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary Board, and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law. The Monetary Board shall, within thirty days from the end of every quarter of the calendar year, submit to the Congress a complete report of its decisions on applications for loans to be contracted or guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and controlled corporations which would have the effect of increasing the foreign debt, and containing other matters as may be provided by law.

Question 76

Article VII, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 76

No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.

Question 77

Article VII, Section 22 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 77

The President shall submit to the Congress within thirty days from the opening of every regular session, as the basis of the general appropriations bill, a budget of expenditures and sources of financing, including receipts from existing and proposed revenue measures.

Question 78

Article VII, Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 78

The President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session. He may also appear before it at any other time.

Question 79

Article VIII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 79

The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law.
Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable, and to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.

Question 80

Article VIII, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 80

The Congress shall have the power to define, prescribe, and apportion the jurisdiction of various courts but may not deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction over cases enumerated in Section 5 hereof.

No law shall be passed reorganizing the Judiciary when it undermines the security of tenure of its Members.

Question 81

Article VIII, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 81

The Judiciary shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Appropriations for the Judiciary may not be reduced by the legislature below the amount appropriated for the previous year and, after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.

Question 82

Article VIII, Section 4 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 82

The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or, in its discretion, in divisions of three, five, or seven Members. Any vacancy shall be filled within ninety days from the occurrence thereof.

Question 83

Article VIII, Section 4 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 83

(2) All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive agreement, which shall be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, and all other cases which under the Rules of Court are required to be heard en banc, including those involving the constitutionality, application, or operation of presidential decrees, proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances, and other regulations, shall be decided with the concurrence of a majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon.

Question 84

Article VIII, Section 4 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 84

(3) Cases or matters heard by a division shall be decided or resolved with the concurrence of a majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon, and in no case, without the concurrence of at least three of such Members. When the required number is not obtained, the case shall be decided en banc; Provided, that no doctrine or principle of law laid down by the court in a decision rendered en banc or in division may be modified or reversed except by the court sitting en banc.

Question 85

Article VIII, Section 5 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 85

The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:

(1) Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus.

Question 86

Article VIII, Section 5 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 86

(2) Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari, as the law or the Rules of Court may provide, final judgments and orders of lower courts in:
(a) All cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or regulation is in question.
(b) All cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, or toll, or any penalty imposed in relation thereto.
(c) All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue.
(d) All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or higher.
(e) All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.

Question 87

Article VIII, Section 5 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 87

Assign temporarily judges of lower courts to other stations as public interest may require. Such temporary assignment shall not exceed six months without the consent of the judge concerned.

Question 88

Article VIII, Section 5 (4) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 88

(4) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice.

Question 89

Article VIII, Section 5 (5) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 89

(5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the Integrated Bar, and legal assistance to the underprivileged. Such rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases, shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade, and shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights. Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi-judicial bodies shall remain effective unless disapproved by the Supreme Court.

Question 90

Article VIII, Section 5 (6) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 90

(6) Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with the Civil Service Law.

Question 91

Article VIII, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 91

The Supreme Court shall have the administrative supervision over all courts and the personnel thereof.

Question 92

Article VIII, Section 7 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 92

SECTION 7. (1) No person shall be appointed Member of the Supreme Court or any lower collegiate court unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines . A Member of the Supreme Court must be at least forty years of age and, must have been for fifteen years or more a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines .

Question 93

Article VIII, Section 7 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 93

The Congress shall prescribe the qualifications of judges of lower courts, but no person may be appointed judge thereof unless he is a citizen of the Philippines and a member of the Philippine Bar.

Question 94

Article VIII, Section 7 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 94

A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.

Question 95

Article VIII, Section 8 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 95

A Judicial and Bar Council is hereby created under the supervision of the Supreme Court composed of the Chief Justice as ex officio Chairman, the Secretary of Justice, and a representative of the Congress as ex officio Members, a representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired Member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the private sector.

Question 96

Article VIII, Section 8 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 96

(2) The regular Members of the Council shall be appointed by the President for a term of four years with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. Of the Members first appointed, the representative of the Integrated Bar shall serve for four years, the professor of law for three years, the retired Justice for two years, and the representative of the private sector for one year.

Question 97

Article VIII, Section 8 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 97

(3) The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall be the Secretary ex officio of the Council and shall keep a record of its proceedings.

Question 98

Article VIII, Section 8 (4) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 98

(4) The regular Members of the Council shall receive such emoluments as may be determined by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court shall provide in its annual budget the appropriations for the Council.

Question 99

Article VIII, Section 8 (5) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 99

(5) The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.

Question 100

Article VIII, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 100

SECTION 9. The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall be appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council for every vacancy. Such appointments need no confirmation.

For the lower courts, the President shall issue the appointments within ninety days from the submission of the list.

Question 101

Article VIII, Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 101

SECTION 10. The salary of the Chief Justice and of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, and of judges of lower courts shall be fixed by law. During their continuance in office, their salary shall not be decreased.

Question 102

Article VIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 102

SECTION 11. The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall hold office during good behavior until they reached the age of seventy years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office. The Supreme Court en banc shall have the power to discipline judges of lower courts, or order their dismissal by a vote of a majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon.

Question 103

Article VIII, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 103

The Members of the Supreme Court and of other courts established by law shall not be designated to any agency performing quasi-judicial or administrative functions.

Question 104

Article VIII, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 104

The conclusions of the Supreme Court in any case submitted to it for decision en banc or in division shall be reached in consultation before the case is assigned to a Member for the writing of the opinion of the Court. A certification to this effect signed by the Chief Justice shall be issued and a copy thereof attached to the record of the case and served upon the parties. Any Member who took no part, or dissented, or abstained from a decision or resolution must state the reason therefor. The same requirements shall be observed by all lower collegiate courts.

Question 105

Article VIII, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 105

SECTION 14. No decision shall be rendered by any court without expressing therein clearly and distinctly the facts and the law on which it is based.

No petition for review or motion for reconsideration of a decision of the court shall be refused due course or denied without stating the legal basis therefor.

Question 106

Article VIII, Section 15 (1) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 106

All cases or matters filed after the effectivity of this Constitution must be decided or resolved within twenty-four months from date of submission for the Supreme Court, and, unless reduced by the Supreme Court, twelve months for all lower collegiate courts, and three months for all other lower courts.

Question 107

Article VIII, Section 15 (2) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 107

(2) A case or matter shall be deemed submitted for decision or resolution upon the filing of the last pending, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules of Court or by the court itself.

Question 108

Article VIII, Section 15 (3) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 108

(3) Upon the expiration of the corresponding period, a certification to this effect signed by the Chief Justice or the presiding judge shall forthwith be issued and a copy thereof attached to the record of the case or matter, and served upon the parties. The certification shall state why a decision or resolution has not been rendered or issued within said period.

Question 109

Article VIII, Section 15 (4) of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 109

(4) Despite the expiration of the applicable mandatory period, the court, without prejudice to such responsibility as may have been incurred in consequence thereof, shall decide or resolve the case or matter submitted thereto for determination, without further delay.

Question 110

Article VIII, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 110

SECTION 16. The Supreme Court shall, within thirty days from the opening of each regular session of the Congress, submit to the President and the Congress an annual report on the operations and activities of the Judiciary.

Question 111

Requisites for judicial review

Answer 111

1. There must be an actual case or controversy calling for the exercise of judicial power
2. The person challenging the act must have standing to challenge the validity of the subject act or issuance; otherwise stated, he must have a personal and subsantial interest in the case such that he has sustained, or will sustain, direct injury as a result of its enforcement
3. The question of constitutionality must be raised at the earliest opportunity
4. The issue of constitutionality must be the very lis mota of the case

Question 112

In Senate v. Ermita, what were the grounds to consider the petitioner having locus standi on the basis of transcendental importance?

Answer 112

1. The character of the funds (that it is public) or other assets involved in the case
2. The presence of a clear case of disregard of a constitutional or statutory prohibition by the public respondent agency or instrumentality of the government
3. The lack of any party with a more direct and specific interest in raising the questions being raised

Question 113

What is executive privilege?

Answer 113

The power of the government to withhold information from the public, the courts, and the Congress. (Schwartz)

Also the right of the President and high-level executive branch officers to withhold information from Congress, the courts, and ultimately the public. (Rozell)

Question 114

What is informer’s privilege?

Answer 114

The privilege of the government not to disclose the identity of persons who furnish information of violations of law to officers charged with the enfrcement of law

Question 115

What is the question hour?

Answer 115

A period of confrontation initiated by the Parliament to hold the Prime Minister and the other ministers accountable for their acts and the operation of the government, corresponding to what is known in Britain as the question period.

Question 116

WHen is executive privilege properly invoked?

Answer 116

Only in relation to specific categories of information and not to categories of persons.

Question 117

WHo are covered by executive privilege?

Answer 117

As per Section 2(b) of EO 464:

• all senior officials of executive department
• all officers of the AFP and the Pnp
• ## all senior national security officers

Question 118

WHat is EO 464

Answer 118

“all heads of departments of the Executive Branch of the government shall secure the consent of the President prior to appearing before either House of Congress.”

Question 119

SEnate v. Ermita

Answer 119

EO 464 is void kasi merely implied. Kung walang consent, di naman express sinabi na di sila pwede mag-appear sa court.

Question 120

MAnalo v. Sistoza

Answer 120

The police force is different from and independent of the armed forces and the ranks in the military are not similar to those in the Philippine National Police. Thus, directors and chief superintendents of the PNP do not fall under the first category of presidential appointees requiring the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.

Question 121

FOur groups of officers to be appointed by the President

Answer 121

First, the heads of the executive departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in him in this Constitution;

Second, all other officers of the Government whose appointments are not otherwise provided for by law;

Third, those whom the President may be authorized by law to appoint;

Fourth, officers lower in rank whose appointments the Congress may by law vest in the President alone.

Question 122

MAtibag v. Benipayo

Answer 122

n
ad interim
appointment is a permanent appointment because it takes effectimmediately and can no longer be withdrawn by the President once the appointee hasqualified into office. The fact that it is subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments does not alter its permanent character. The Constitution itself makesan
ad interim
appointment permanent in character by making it effective untildisapproved by the Commission on Appointments or until the next adjournment congress.

Question 123

IBP v. Zamora

Answer 123

In the first issue, the IBP has failed to provide the requisites for legal standing in the case at bar in that it has failed to conclusively prove that such deployment would harm the IBP in any way. It’s contention that it is fighting to uphold the rule of law and the constitution is insufficient, too general and too vague. As to the second issue, the Court disagrees with the contention of the Solicitor-General that the president’s act is a political question beyond the authority of the Court to review when the grant of power is qualified or subject to limitations, the issue becomes whether the prescribed qualifications have been met, then it becomes a question of legality and not wisdom, so is not a political question. It is then subject to the Court’s review power. As to the third issue, the Marines only assist the PNP, the LOI itself provides for this. In fact, the PNP Chief is the leader of such patrols and in no way places the over-all authority in the Marines.
Petition is dismissed.

I am not unaware that in the deliberations of the Constitutional Commission, Commissioner Bernas opined that the President’s exercise of the “calling out power,” unlike the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and the declaration of martial law, is not a justiciable issue but a political question and therefore not subject to judicial review.

Question 124

BAyan v. Zamora

Answer 124

NO, the VFA is not unconstitutional.

Section 25, Article XVIII disallows foreign military bases, troops, or facilities in the country, unless the following conditions are sufficiently met, viz: (a) it must be under a treaty; (b) the treaty must be duly concurred in by the Senate and, when so required by congress, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum; and (c) recognized as a treaty by the other contracting state.

There is no dispute as to the presence of the first two requisites in the case of the VFA. The concurrence handed by the Senate through Resolution No. 18 is in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution . . . the provision in [in §25, Article XVIII] requiring ratification by a majority of the votes cast in a national referendum being unnecessary since Congress has not required it.

xxx xxx xxx

This Court is of the firm view that the phrase “recognized as a treaty” means that the other contracting party accepts or acknowledges the agreement as a treaty. To require the other contracting state, the United States of America in this case, to submit the VFA to the United States Senate for concurrence pursuant to its Constitution, is to accord strict meaning to the phrase.