The Philippines
  Government

Created By: Kristen, David, and  Robyn.

 

Introduction
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        Over time, the government of the Philippines has changed immensely.  It has gone from being ruled by various other countries to becoming independent.  Today, the Philippines is a republic.  It is run by a president and has three branches of government, much like the United States.  As mentioned before, the Philippines is an independent country. Therefore, the armed forces are used primarily for defense against other countries and not for the control of their people.
 

Ferdinand  Magellan

History

    In 1521 Magellan found and claimed the area for Spain.  Other countries tried to conquer Spain but did not succeed for almost four hundred years.  In 1896 Jose Rizal helped organize a revolt against Spain.  On June 12, 1898 General Emilio Aguninaldo declared Philippines independence from Spain. Because of a treaty between the United States and Spain, the Philippines now belonged to the United States. A war started on February 4, 1899 between the United states and Philippines, the United States won.  After WWII the Philippines claimed independence from the United States.  Therefore, turning into a free country.

Current Government
Legal  system

    The legal system in the Philippines is based on the Spanish and Anglo-American law.  The constitution was made on February 2,1987 and was effective on February 11,1987.  Their national holidays are Independence from Spain on June 12,1898 and Independence from the United States on July 4,1946.  The Philippines used the legal system, educational system, and the style of government brought over by the Americans.   The government type in the Philippines is a republic, as stated in the introduction.

Branches of the government

    The government consists of an Executive Branch which includes President Gloria Magapagal-Arroyo and the Vice President Teofista Guingona. The head of governments which also consists of the President and the Vice President. The cabinet which is appointed by the President and approved by the commission of Appointments.  The Legislative Branch which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate or Senado. Finally the Judicial Branch where the supreme court resides. Go to top of page
 
 
 
 

Military

The Philippines has an army, a navy, and an air force.  The army has 70,000 members, the navy has 28,000 members, and the air force has 16,800 members.  These are all volunteers. These armed forces are used for defense and not for control of the people.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Current President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo	Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada

 

President:

    Today, the president of the Philippines is a woman named Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She was sworn into presidency on January 20, 2001. She was the Vice President (seen above) Joseph Ejercito Estrada was declared unable to rule by the supreme court in view of of the mass resignations from his government. He was also unable to finish his term as president because of illegal acts, which partially consisted of taking bribes amounting to over $50 million.  President Macapagal-Arroyo is also the chief of state and the head of government in the executive branch.

Conclusion

    As you see the government has changed immensely since Magellan first claimed it in 1521. After the United States ended military control of the Philippines in 1992, they became an independent country. It is still run by a president and will probably remain that way for a long time.
 

Links

Http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html

Http://www.kgma.org/frameset/nav.html

http://www.philippines.com/cgi-bin/od/od.cgi?search=Philippines

Http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wbol/wbAut/na/ar427000.htm

http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/pinas/gov/

http://www.iias.nl/wwwvl/southeas/philippi.html

http://www.congress.gov.ph/geninfo/mandate.htm
 
 

Bibliography:

Republic of the Philippines Provo, Utah Culturgram, 1997. Pg. 221

World Book. Monroe Chicago,IL, 1999 World Book Inc.

Larmer, Brook and Marties D. Vitug. Getting Out The Vote (Philippines) (Brief Article)

Http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wbol/wbAut/na/ar427000.htm

http://www.philippines.com/cgi-bin/od/od.cgi?search=Philippines

Http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html

http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/pinas/gov/

http://www.congress.gov.ph/geninfo/mandate.htm

http://www.iias.nl/wwwvl/southeas/philippi.html

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