Classification of

Government
 Module 3
Classification of Government
Philippine Government and Politics
5:30-7:00 PM MW

Obj. To determine and define the

classification of Government

College of Arts and Sciences

Social Sciences Department
Political Science Program
LYCEUM NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
 There are many different
types of government all
around the world

Legend
• Blue - Presidential Republic
• Yellow – Semi Presidential Republic
• Green – Parliamentary Republic, Executive Presidency linked to a parliament
• Orange – Parliamentary Republic
• Red – Parliamentary Constitutional; Monarchy butno power
• Magenta –Constitutional Monarchy in which the monarch personally exercises
power, often (but not always) alongside a weak parliament
• Purple – Absolute Monarchy
• Brown – Countries where the dominant role of the political party or coalition
codified in the constitution
•Dark green – Countries where constitutional provisions for government have been
suspended
•Grey – Countries that do not fit in any of the above listed systems
•Light grey – No government
 Who Rules?
None One Few All

Anarchy Monarchy Oligarchy Democracy

Dictatorship Direct

Representative
 Rule by One
• One person rules over everyone. In this case,
one person in in charge with the country and
government.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un

King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud

 Monarchy
• Monarchy when a King or
Queen rules thru inherited
power

King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway

 Dictatorship
“A form of government in which one person or a small
group possesses absolute power without effective
constitutional limits.” – Encyclopedia Britannica

• As elaborated by the encyclopedic definition, a

dictatorship also consists of a few key factors:
• No division of power
• Little to no constitutional backbone
• Little to no social liberties or personal freedoms
• Swift and severe disciplinary policies on citizens
• Manipulation of media and the usage of propaganda
to increase the states influence
 Using Freedom House’s
predetermined criteria which takes into
account factors that are eerily similar
Not to those outline in the definition of a
free
dictatorship, it becomes increasingly
clear that there are a number of
countries across the globe that may fit
free the bill.
Freedom House’s criteria includes
factors such as:
partly o Personal rights
free
o Political pluralism
o Functioning of government
o Rule of law
o Personal autonomy
 Dictatorship a ruler who seizes power
through military action

autocratic ruler of Belarus

 Rule by Few
A few people rule over everyone. In this
case few people rule over a country or
government.
Some examples of the oligarchic
system of government can be found in
Russia following the fall of the Soviet
Union when a group of private
businessmen dominate both wealth and
political power in the Russian
government. In the Russian example,
oligarchs are identified as business
magnates perceived as close to the
current form of government. As of 2014,
110 Russian billionaires account for 35
percent of the country's wealth
 Oligarchy
In an oligarchy (OH-lih-gar-kee), a small group of people
has all the power. Oligarchy is a Greek word that means “rule
by a few.” Sometimes this means that only a certain group has
political rights, such as members of one political party, one
social class, or one race. For example, in some societies, only
noble families who owned land could participate in politics.
An oligarchy can also mean that a few people control the
country. For example, a junta is a small group of people—
usually military officers—who rule a country after taking it
over by force. A junta often operates much like a dictatorship,
except that several people share power.
 Religious Rule
• A theocracy is a government that
recognizes God or a divine being as
the ultimate authority. (“Theo” is a
Greek word that means god.) In a
theocracy, religious law is used to
settle disputes and rule the people. A
theocracy can also be a democracy,
dictatorship, monarchy, or just about
any other kind of government. For
example, the Republic of Iran
recognizes Islamic law, but Iran’s
citizens vote to elect their leaders.
Modern theocracies are usually found
Iran’s Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ali in countries where the population is
Khamenei strongly religiou
 Plutocracy

• Plutocracy (from Greek , ploutos, meaning

"wealth", and κράτος, kratos, meaning
"power, dominion, rule") or plutarchy, is a
form of oligarchy and defines a society ruled
or controlled by the small minority of the
wealthiest citizens.
 Meritocracy
• The term was coined by the UK sociologist Michael
Young in 1958 book, 'The Rise Of Meritocracy.’
Governance by elites who deserve to wield
power because they possess merit (defined as
'intelligence plus effort') instead of by those who
merely possess wealth or belong to privileged
to classes. Such a System in theory, forms the basis
of an equal opportunity society. But, in practice,
unrestricted meritocracy may result in a society
without rules and concentrate power in only a few
hands.
 Technocracy Government
• A form of government in which scientists and
technical experts are in control; "technocracy w
as described as that society in which those
who govern justify themselves by appeal to
technical experts who by appeal to scientific f
orms of knowledge"
Technocratic Countries in Europe: Czech Republic, Germany,
Greece, Russia

All North American Technocratic Countries: Canada, United States of

America
 Rule by Many
• A lot of different people rule everyone. In this
case, lot of people are in charge with the
country or government
 Democracy
• Democracy means power to the people and is
a limited government
• Direct democracy when all people vote on
every law that is passed
• In a Representative Democracy, citizens elect leaders to
represent their rights and interests in government. The elected leaders, or
representatives, do the day-to-day work of governing the country: They
consider the issues, work to find solutions, pass laws, and do all of the
other things necessary to keep a country going. Citizens hold the ultimate
power, though, because if they don’t like what their representatives are
doing, they can vote in new ones
 Parliamentary Republic
A Parliamentary Republic is a system in which a prime minister is
the active head of the Executive Branch of government and also leader
of the Legislature. The president's degree of executive power may
range from being reasonably significant (e.g. Pakistan) to little (e.g.
India) or none at all (e.g. Ireland). Where the president holds little
executive power, his or her function is primarily that of a symbolic
figurehead.
 Remember:
• Nearly every country in the world is ruled by a
system that combines 2 or more of these (for
example, the USA is not a true capitalist
society, since the government actually
provides some services for its citizens).
Additionally, one person's opinion of the type
of government may differ from another's
(many argue that the USA is actually a
plutocracy rather than a democracy
 Module 7
Branches of the Government
Objective: To determine and discuss the
functions of the branches of government

College of Arts and Sciences

Social Sciences Department
Political Science Program
LYCEUM NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
 Republic
A Republic is a sovereign state or country ] which is
organized with a form of government in which power resides
in elected individuals representing the citizen body and
government leaders exercise power according to the rule of
law.
• The power of government is held by the people.
• The people give power to leaders they elect to
represent them and serve their interests.
• The representatives are responsible for helping all the
people in the country, not just a few people.
 Philippine Republic
There have been five republics in the history of the Philippines:
o First Philippine Republic (January 23, 1899 – March 23, 1901)
oSecond Philippine Republic (October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945)
oThird Philippine Republic (July 4, 1946 – September 21, 1972)
o Fourth Philippine Republic (June 30, 1981 – February 25, 1986)
oFifth Philippine Republic (February 2, 1987 – present)

Pres.Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino

Brainbelen: Published on Apr 06, 2010
http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/the-executive-department?qid=1a9ec2b6-c497-4825-
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 Branches of Government

Legislative
Executive Brach Judicial Branch
Branch
• President • Senate • Supreme Court
• Vice Pres • House of • RTC/MTC
• Cabinet Representatives • Special Courts
 Executive
Branch
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/the-executive-department
o Charged with the execution and administration of a
country’s laws

o The Executive Branch .Charged with the execution and

administration of a country’s laws. In general, the
executive branch sets the direction of national policy

o Executive power in the Philippine government is vested

in the office of the President of the Republic

o The term of the President is for six years (no re-

election). No person who has succeeded and served
as President for four (4) years can run again

o Vice-President: maximum two (2) terms

 Presidential Privileges
• Appoint the heads of the different
executive departments
• Appoint ambassadors, consuls and public
ministers
• Appoint armed forces personnel from the
rank of colonel or naval captain
• Contract / guarantee foreign loans
• Negotiate foreign treaties
 Presidential Privileges
• Make appointments not otherwise provided
for by law
• Suspend the writ of habeas corpus
• Declare martial law
• Prepare the national budget
• Perform acts of clemency (Acts of Clemency,
Amnesty, Pardon, Commutation, Reprieve,
Remission of fines and forfeitures)
• Pardon – forgiveness given to individual
• Amnesty – forgiveness given to a big group of
individuals
• Commutation – reducing the penalty
• Reprieve – Delay of punishment
May grant pardon, amnesty or reduce the
sentence of those convicted on the final
judgment of the Supreme Court
• The President Cannot: Hold any other office or
enjoy any other form of employment ; Make
appointments two months prior to the next
elections ; Make appointments within the 4 th
civil degree of consanguinity.
• The President Cannot: Increase his/her salary
or that of the Vice-President during his/her
term;
• Ratify foreign treaties
• Grant clemency in cases of impeachment
 Causes of Vacancy
• Permanent Disability; Resignation; Impeachment
• Causes of Vacancy: Written declaration that s/he is
unable to discharge the powers and duties of the
Office ; If a majority of the Cabinet makes a written
declaration that the President cannot discharge the
powers and duties of the Office
• More on Vacancy. The President can, at a later time,
inform Congress s/he is fit to perform her/his duties
again
• Congress can judge otherwise by a two-thirds vote
of both houses voting separately.
 Causes of Vacancy
• Even More on Vacancy, if the President falls seriously
ill. The public will be informed of his/her state of
health
• Members of the Cabinet in charge of national
security and foreign relations shall have access to the
President
• The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces shall have
access to the President
• President can be impeached if found to accept
bribes, betray his countrymen, lose of
confidence, performed crimes against people,
violation of the constitution, graft and
corruption
 Vice President
• To replace the President when he dies,
resigns, or is impeached
http://www.slideshare.net/MarcyTrinidad/branches-of-government
 The Legislative
Branch
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/the-philippine-legislature
 The Legislative Branch
• From the Latin lex, legis meaning law
• The legislative branch broadly deals
with the making, deliberation over,
enactment, amendment and
repealing of laws
 Basic Structures
There are two basic structures for legislative
branches of government:
1. Unicameral
– The legislative branch consists of one
chamber/house
2. Bicameral
– Legislative power is vested in two
chambers/houses
The Philippine Congress
The Philippine Congress is the country’s
legislative department (Art. VI, Sec. 1)
Congress is bicameral
oUpper House: Senate
oLower House: House of Representatives
 Senate
Composition o 24 Senators elected at large
o Natural-born citizen
o At least 35 years old on election
day
Qualifications
o Literate (can read and write)
o Registered voter
o Philippine resident for 2 years
prior to election day
o 6 years
Term of Office
o Maximum: 2 terms
 House of Representatives
Composition o 200 district reps, 50 party list
o Natural-born citizen
o At least 25 years old on election
day
Qualificationso Literate (can read and write)
o Registered voter of the district
o District resident for 1 year prior
to election day
Term of Officeo 3 years
o Maximum: 3 terms
 House of Representatives
Composition o 200 district reps, 50 party list
o Natural-born citizen
o At least 25 years old on election
day
Qualifications o Literate (can read and write)
o Registered voter of the district
o District resident for 1 year prior
to election day
Term of Office o 3 years
o Maximum: 3 terms
 In Case of Vacancy
• Vacancy can be filled through regular
election
• Special elections can be called for
the purpose of filling the vacancy
• In either circumstance, the one
elected merely sits for the unexpired
term
Article VI, Section 9
 The Legislative Branch
o It passes law
o It punishes and determine crimes against the
state
o It determine the taxes people should pay
o It determine the budget to be spent for puclic
o can create and abolish courts except SC
o The power to declare war
 Parliamentary Privileges
Congressmen have two parliamentary
privileges while Congress is in session:
1. Privilege from arrest
o Immunity from offenses punishable by not more
than six years imprisonment

2. Privilege of speech and debate

o Immunity from libel and slander

Article VI, Section 11

 Transparency
Elected Congressmen must:
1. Fully disclose their financial and business
interests
2. Disclose potential conflicts of interests that
arise in the course of legislation
3. Keep from any other office or employment
(appointed or otherwise), forfeit his/her
seat to do so

(Article VI, Sections 12-13)

 Structure and Dynamics
o Senate President and House Speaker elected
by majority vote
o Other officers, procedures and the discipline
of its members is at the discretion of each
house
o Quorum: Majority
o Each House maintains a journal and record of
proceedings
o Neither House can adjourn without the
other’s consent while in session
(Article VI, Section 16)
 Powers of Congress
1. Appointment of Public Officials (Article VI,
Sections 17-19 (esp. 18)
2. Legislative inquiry and
investigation(Investigations in aid of legislation:
Article VI, Section 21)
3. Declare the existence of a state of war :
(Article VI, Section 23)
 Powers of Congress
4. Ratify the country’s international
treaties (Senate) Treaties: Article VII, Section
21 (The Executive Branch)
5. Authorize limited emergency powers for
the President (Emergency Powers: Article VI,
Section 23)
 Powers of Congress
6. Approve the government budget
(Article VI, Sec. 4-52)
7. Undertake projects under the CDF
8. Propose, review, and adopt bills for
enactment into law (Article VI, Sec. 27).
 Powers of Congress
9. Overturn a Presidential veto with respect to
proposed legislation ( Article VI, Sec. 32)
10. Allow for referenda ( Article XVII, Sections 1-
2)
11. Propose amendments to the constitution
and call for a constitutional convention
 Legislative Limitations
Congress may not:
1. Increase appropriations recommended by
the executive branch
2. Pass tax exemptions without the
concurrence of a majority of its members
3. Grant titles of nobility
4. Pass ex post facto bills
5. Pass bills of attainder
 How a Bill Becomes Law

1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading

~House of Representatives~

Source: http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/the-philippine-judiciary
 How a Bill Becomes Law

~Senate~

Source: http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/the-philippine-judiciary
 How a Bill Becomes Law

Source: http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/the-philippine-judiciary
 How a Bill Becomes Law

Source: http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/the-philippine-judiciary
 How a Bill Becomes Law
APPROVE President VETO
30 DAY PERIOD

1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading

1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading

~House of Representatives~

Source: http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/the-philippine-judiciary
http://www.slideshare.net/MarcyTrinidad/branches-of-government
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/the-philippine-judiciary
 The Judicial Department
Article VIII, Section 1: Judicial power will be
vested in the Supreme Court and all lower
courts
Judicial power: the power to apply the laws to
contests or disputes concerning legally
recognized rights
Loosely, the judiciary refers to the court
system
 Judicial Power
 Generally entails two activities:
o Settling legal controversies
o Determining whether there has been
grave abuse of discretion amounting to
lack or excess of jurisdiction by any
branch of government
 Scope of Judicial Power
Adjudicating Power
o The power to settle legal disputes
Power of Judicial Review
o Refers to the power of the Supreme
Court to interpret and make
judgments with respect to the law
Incidental Powers
o Powers necessary for the discharge of
the judicial function
 The Supreme Court
Composition
o 1 Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices
o Sits en banc or in divisions
Qualifications
o By appointment
o 40 years of age
o Natural born citizen
o Judge or legal practitioner for 15 years
Powers of the Supreme Court
SC has jurisdiction over:
o Cases involving ambassadors and public
ministers
o Petitions for certiorari, mandamus, quo
warranto, prohibition & habeas corpus
Review judgments of lower courts
o Cases involving constitutionality, legality of
any tax, reclusion perpetua and errors on
questions of law
Powers of the Supreme Court
o Assignment of judges to the lower
courts
o Order a change of venue for a trial
o Promulgate rules of court
o Appoint officials of the judiciary and
hire employees for the judicial branch
 Judicial and Bar Council
o Tasked with nominating appointees to the
Judiciary (SC  3)
o Composition:
o Chief Justice
o Secretary of Justice
o Representative from Congress
o IBP Representative
o Prof. of law
o Private Sector Representative
Rendering Court Decisions
o Once a decision is reached, a SC Justice
is assigned to write an opinion
o The opinion is certified by the Chief
Justice and served to the parties
concerned
o Dissentions and abstentions must be
explained
o The opinion must explain facts of law
http://www.slideshare.net/MarcyTrinidad/branches-of-government