Eduardo R.

Ermita - Executive Secretary

Alberto G. Romulo - Department of Foreign Affairs
Domingo F. Panganiban Arthur Yap - Department of Agriculture (update 10/18)
Rolando G. Andaya - Department of Budget and Management
Jesli A. Lapus - Department of Education

Raphael P.M. Lotilla Angelo T. Reyes - Department of Energy (update 07/19)

Angelo T. Reyes Lito Atienza - Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(update 07/19)
Margarito B. Teves - Department of Finance
Francisco T. Duque III - Department of Health
Ronaldo V. Puno - Department of Interior and Local Government
Raul M. Gonzalez - Department of Justice
Arturo D. Brion - Department of Labor and Employment
Nasser C. Pangandaman - Department of Land Reform
Gilbert Teodoro Jr. - Department of National Defense (update 08/07)
Romulo L. Neri Ralph Recto - National Economic and Development Authority (update
07/23/08)
Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. Manuel M. Bonoan - Department of Public Works and
Highways (update 09/07)
Estrella F. Alabastro - Department of Science and Technology
Esperanza I. Cabral - Department of Social Welfare and Development
Joseph H. Durano - Department of Tourism
Peter B. Favila - Department of Trade and Industry
Leandro R. Mendoza - Department of Transportation and Communication
Jesus Dureza - Press Secretary

source: Philippine Panorama (updated frequently)

The bicameral Philippine legislature, the Congress, consists of the Senate and the House
of Representatives; members of both are elected by popular vote. The Senate is elected at
large. There are currently 24 senators. 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 2% to 6% of the national vote
total. The upper house is located in Pasay City, while the lower house is located in
Quezon City. The district and sectoral representatives are elected with a term of three
years. They can be reelected but they are no longer eligible to run for a fourth
consecutive term. The senators are elected to a term of six years. They can be reelected
but they are no longer eligible to run for a third consecutive term. The House of
Representatives may opt to pass a resolution for a vacancy of a legislative seat that will
pave way for a special election. The winner of the special election will serve the
unfinished term of the previous district representative; this will be considered as one
elective term. The same rule applies in the Senate however it only applies if the seat is
vacated before a regular legislative election. This case applies when Senator Teofisto
Guingona was appointed Vice President before the May 2001 election. Senator Gregorio
Honasan was in the 13th position in the Senatorial election and he served the unfinished
term of Guingona. Honasan is no longer eligible to run for the 2004 elections. The case
did not apply in 1998 when Gloria Arroyo was elected as Vice President and in 2004
when Noli de Castro was elected as Vice President.

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 such as her party, Lakas-CMD,
the Liberal Party, the Nacionalista Party, the Nationalist People's Coalition, PDP-Laban,
Aksyon Demokratiko, REPORMA-LM, PROMDI, and others. In addition, Arroyo
established her own party KAMPI. In the Senate, the pro-administration coalition lost its
majority in the May 2007 elections.

Members of the Philippine Congress tend to have weak party loyalties and change party
affiliation easily. In October 2003, the Sunshine Coalition dissolved over Pres. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo's decision to seek election for the presidency, which she assumed
when as vice-president, she succeeded Joseph Estrada following the EDSA 2 Revolution
of 2001.

Senate President: Manuel Villar

Speaker of the House of Representatives: Prospero C. Nograles

Presidents of the Senate

• 1916-1935 Manuel Luis Quezon (Philippine Legislature)

• 1935 Jose Avelino
• 1935-1941 Dissolved, Unicameral Legislature
• 1941-1945 Dissolved, World War II
• 1945-1946 Manuel A. Roxas (Commonwealth of the Philippines)
• 1946-1949 Jose Avelino
• 1949-1951 Mariano Jesus Cuenco
• 1952-1952 Quintin Paredes
• 1952-1952 Camilo Osias
• 1952-1953 Eulogio Rodriguez
• 1953-1953 Jose Zulueta
• 1953-1963 Eulogio Rodriguez
• 1963-1965 Ferdinand E. Marcos
• 1966-1967 Arturo M. Tolentino
• 1967-1972 Gil J. Puyat
• 1972-1978 Dissolved, Martial Law
• 1978-1986 Dissolved, Interim Batasang Pambansa and Regular Batasang
Pambansa
• 1986-1987 Dissolved, 1986 Constitutional Commission
• 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 Pimentel
• 2001-2006 Franklin M. Drilon
• 2006-pres Manuel B. Villar, Jr.

Speakers of the House of Representatives

• 1907-1922 Sergio Osmeña (Philippine Assembly)

• 1922-1933 Manuel A. Roxas (House of Representatives)
• 1933-1935 Quintin Paredes (House of Representatives)
• 1935-1938 Gil Montilla (National Assembly)
• 1938-1941 Jose Yulo (National Assembly)
• 1943-1944 Benigno Aquino Sr. (National Assembly, 2nd Republic)
• 1945-1946 Jose Zulueta (House of Representatives)
• 1946-1953 Eugenio Perez (House of Representatives)
• 1954-1957 Jose B. Laurel, Jr. (House of Representatives)
• 1957-1962 Daniel Romualdez (House of Representatives)
• 1962-1967 Cornelio Villareal (House of Representatives)
• 1967-1971 Jose B. Laurel, Jr. (House of Representatives)
• 1971-1972 Cornelio Villareal (House of Representatives)
• 1978-1984 Querube C. Makalintal (Interim Batasang Pambansa)
• 1984-1986 Nicanor E. Yniguez (Regular Batasang Pambansa)
• 1986-1987 Dissolved, 1986 Constitutional Commission
• 1987-1992 Ramon V. Mitra (House of Representatives)
• 1992-1998 Jose C. De Venecia, Jr.(House of Representatives)
• 1998-2000 Manuel Villar Jr. (House of Representatives)
• 2000-2001 Arnulfo Fuentebella (House of Representatives)
• 2001 Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (House of Representatives)
• 2001-2008 Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. (House of Representatives)
• 2008-Present Prospero Nograles (House of Representatives)

[edit] Judicial branch

This section called "Judicial branch" does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be
challenged and removed. (January 2008)

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: Reynato Puno

Chief Justices of the Supreme Court

• 1901-1920 Cayetano L. Arellano

• 1920-1921 Victorino Mapa
• 1921-1924 Manuel Araullo
• 1925-1941 Ramon Avanceña
• 1941-1942 Jose Abad Santos
• 1942-1944 Jose Yulo
• 1945-1951 Manuel Moran
• 1951-1961 Ricardo Paras
• 1961-1966 Cesar Bengzon
• 1966-1973 Roberto Concepcion
• 1973-1975 Querube C. Makalintal
• 1976-1979 Fred Ruiz Castro
• 1979-1985 Enrique Fernando
• 1985-1985 Felix Makasiar
• 1985-1986 Ramon Aquino
• 1986-1988 Claudio Teehankee, Sr.
• 1988-1988 Pedro Yap
• 1988-1991 Marcelo B. Fernan
• 1991-1998 Andres Narvasa
• 1998-2005 Hilario Davide, Jr.
• 2005-2006 Artemio Panganiban
• 2006-Present Reynato Puno

e•d Summary of the final official congressional canvass of the 10 May 2004
Philippine presidential election results
Candidate Party Votes %
Gloria Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats /
Macapagal- Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa 12,905,808 39.99
Arroyo Kinabukasan
Fernando Poe, Jr. Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino 11,782,232 36.51
Panfilo Lacson Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Agapito Aquino 3,510,080 10.88
Wing)
Raul Roco Aksyon Demokratiko / Alyansa ng Pag-Asa 2,082,762 6.45
Eduardo
Bangon Pilipinas Movement 1,988,218 6.16
Villanueva
Total 32,269,100 100.0
e•d Summary of the 14 May 2007 Senate of the Philippines election results
Rank Candidate Coalition - Party Votes
1. Loren B. Legarda Genuine Opposition - NPC 18,501,209
 2. Francis Joseph G. Escudero Genuine Opposition - NPC 18,264,889
3. Panfilo M. Lacson Genuine Opposition 15,508,966
4. Manuel B. Villar, Jr. Genuine Opposition - NP 15,338,249
5. Francis N. Pangilinan Independent - LP 14,534,322
6. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III Genuine Opposition - LP 14,309,093
7. Edgardo J. Angara TEAM Unity - LDP 12,657,538
8. Joker P. Arroyo TEAM Unity - KAMPI 11,802,870
9. Alan Peter S. Cayetano Genuine Opposition - NP 11,787,475
10. Gregorio B. Honasan II Independent 11,605,433
11. Antonio F. Trillanes IV Genuine Opposition - UNO 11,189,467
12. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri TEAM Unity - Lakas CMD 11,004,099

Genuine Opposition - PDP-

13. Aquilino L. Pimentel III 10,984,807
LABAN
14. Ralph G. Recto TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD 10,721,088
15. Michael T. Defensor TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD 9,938,816
16. Prospero A. Pichay, Jr. TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD 9,798,355
17. Sonia M. Roco Genuine Opposition - AD 8,457,710
18. Cesar M. Montano TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD 7,800,179
19. Vicente C. Sotto III TEAM Unity - NPC 7,638,260
20. John Henry R. Osmeña Genuine Opposition - UNO 7,266,905
21. Vicente P. Magsaysay TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD 6,357,769
Genuine Opposition -
22. Anna Dominique M. Coseteng 5,274,571
Independent
23. Teresa Aquino-Oreta TEAM Unity - NPC 4,361,969
24. Luis C. Singson TEAM Unity - Lakas-CMD 4,353,556
25. Richard I. Gomez Independent 2,725,618
26. Sultan Jamalul D. Kiram III TEAM Unity - PDSP 2,488,553
27. Melchor G. Chavez Kilusang Bagong Lipunan 843,675
28. Martin D. Bautista Ang Kapatiran 761,157
29. Zosimo Jesus M. Paredes II Ang Kapatiran 713,812
30. Joselito Pepito P. Cayetano* Kilusang Bagong Lipunan 510,340
31. Adrian O. Sison Ang Kapatiran 402,324
32. Oliver O. Lozano Kilusang Bagong Lipunan 305,637
33. Antonio L. Estrella Kilusang Bagong Lipunan 285,479
34. Victor N. Wood Kilusang Bagong Lipunan 283,033
 35. Felix C. Cantal Philippine Green Republican Party 123,602
36. Eduardo F. Orpilla Kilusang Bagong Lipunan 107,512
37. Ruben C. Enciso Kilusang Bagong Lipunan 100,517
Note: A total of 37 candidates ran for
Source: COMELEC.gov.ph website
senator.[1]

[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 14 May 2007 House of Representatives of the Philippines election
results

Parties Proportion
Seats
(%)

This is the division of seats as published on the website of the House of Representatives.
The first party affiliation mentioned is counted. This is not the result of the elections.

Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats + Kabalikat ng Malayang 92+49 38%+20.3%

Pilipino (141) (58.3%)
(Includes SARRO, BO-PK, PROMDI, KDT, Padajon Surigao, 1-CEBU,
BALANE, UNA, and PTM)

Nationalist People's Coalition (Includes Achievers with Integrity 28 11.6%

Movement)

Liberal Party 16 6.6%

Nacionalista Party (Includes Abante Viscaya) 8 3.3%

United Opposition 7 2.9%

Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan 4 1.7%

Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino 4 1.7%

Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino 3 1.3%

Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas 3 1.3%

Kilusan ng Bagong Lipunan 1 0.4%

Independents 4 1.7%

Buhay Hayaan Yumabong 3 1.3%

Bayan Muna 2 0.8%

Citizen's Battle Against Corruption 2 0.8%

Gabriela Women's Party 2 0.8%

Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives 2 0.8%

Kilusang Bagong Lipunan 1 0.4%

Abono 1 0.4%

Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action, Cooperation 1 0.4%

and Harmony Towards Educational Reforms, Inc.

Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. 1 0.4%

Akbayan ! Citizens' Action Party 1 0.4%

Alliance of Rural Concerns 1 0.4%

Anak Mindanao 1 0.4%

Anak Pawis 1 0.4%

An Waray 1 0.4%

Cooperative NATCCO Network Party 1 0.4%

Luzon Farmers Party 1 0.4%

You Against Corruption And Poverty 1 0.4%

Total 242 100%

Source: Congress Web site

[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 14 May 2007 House of Representatives of the Philippines Party-List
election result

Party-list Votes % Seats

Below is the result of the party-list vote. Most seats in the Congress are not elected through the party list
system.
Buhay Hayaan Yumabong 1,169,248 7.42 3

Bayan Muna 976,699 6.20

2

Citizen's Battle Against Corruption 755,605 4.79

Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives 621,211 3.94 1

Gabriela Women's Party 621,086 3.94

Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action, Cooperation 487,354 3.09

and Harmony Towards Educational Reforms, Inc.

Akbayan ! Citizens' Action Party 466,019 2.96

Alagad 423,090 2.68

Cooperative NATCCO Network Party 409,812 2.60

Luzon Farmers Party 409,133 2.60

Bagong Alyansang Tagapagtaguyod ng Adhikaing Sambayanan 385,654 2.45

Alliance of Rural Concerns 373,840 2.37

Anak Pawis 369,366 2.34

Abono 339,897 2.16

Anak Mindanao 338,125 2.15

Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. 328,649 2.09

30,049,52
Total 21
4

Source: COMELEC

During the American occupation, the Nacionalista Party (more like the Republicans) was
the dominant party of the time. However, during the Japanese occupation in World War
II, a new party, the Kapisanan ng Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI), was
formed. It was the only party allowed to operate during the occupation.

After the war, KALIBAPI was abolished and the Nacionalistas returned to power. A new
party, the Liberal Party (similar to the Democrats), was formed after some Nacionalistas
led by Jose P. Laurel split from KALIBAPI. This de facto two-party system remained
until 1972.

However, when Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, he formed his own party, the
Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL, New Society Movement), and the traditional parties
were sidelined. A majority of KBL members came from the Nacionalistas, the Liberals,
as well as some other parties. Most of Marcos' political opponents were jailed, tortured or
killed. In 1978, Marcos called an election to the interim Batasang Pambansa. An
opposition party was formed known as LABAN. Among the candidates then were
Benigno Aquino, Ernesto Maceda, and Alex Bongcayao. During that election, only
Maceda was elected.

In 1984, other opposition parties sprang up. Among them were PDP-LABAN (different
from the original LABAN party) of Aquilino Pimentel, the UNIDO, or the United
Nationalist Democratic Organization of Salvador Laurel, the Liberal Party-Kalaw Wing
and Lakas ng Bansa. The UNIDO would later be an umbrella coalition of opposition
against Ferdinand Marcos.

The Liberal Party-Salonga Wing, National Union Of Christian Democrats and

BANDILA joined the leftist forces.
After Marcos was overthrown in the People Power Revolution, other parties appeared,
such as Partido Nacionalista ng Pilipinas, the National Union of Christian Democrats, the
Philippine Democratic Socialist Party and BANDILA. In 1987 the opposition parties
formed a Grand Alliance for Democracy (GAD). The parties taking part in the GAD were
the Nacionalista Party, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, the Partido Nacionalista ng
Pilipinas, the Liberal Party-Kalaw Wing, the Mindanao Alliance, the Muslim Federal
Party, as well as others.

In 1988 the Lakas ng Bansa headed by Ramon Mitra and PDP-LABAN (Cojuangco
Wing) joined forces to form the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino or LDP, causing a
split in the ruling coalition and the unification of the Nacionalista Party.

In 1989, anti-Aquino elements reunited at PICC for the Unification of the Nacionalista
Party this leaders of NP are: Blas Ople, Isidro Rodriguez, Rafael Palmares, Rafael Recto,
Francisco Tatad, Jose Rono, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose Zubiri, Zossimo Jesus Paredes II,
Romeo Jalosjos, Mamintal A.J. Tamano, Salvador Laurel, Sotero Laurel, Frisco San
Juan, Alfonso Roy Jr., Ernesto Maceda, Arturo Tolentino, Roilo Golez, Eva Estrada
Kalaw, Edith Rabat, Vicente Puyat, Jose B. Laurel Jr. and Others.

In 1992 elections, the LDP was split in half. Fidel V. Ramos formed his own party, the
Partido Lakas ng Tao, which coalesced with the National Union of Christian Democrats.
Their union was later known as the Lakas-NUCD, now known as Lakas-Christian and
Muslim Democrats. The LDP was headed by Ramon Mitra. During these elections, the
Nacionalista Party also split into two. The Nacionalistas were led by Salvador Laurel
while the splinter group, led by Danding Cojuangco, was known as the Nationalist
People's Coalition or NPC.

In the 1998 elections, three new political parties were formed: the Partido ng Masang
Pilipino of Joseph Estrada, the Aksyon Demokratiko (Democratic Action) of Raul Roco,
and the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (KAMPI) of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

There were other regional parties, including Panaghiusa (precursor of the Osmeñas' BO-
PK), and the Mindanao Alliance in Mindanao. However, many of them are now defunct.

It is believed that Philippine political parties share one common platform. However, it is
also perceived that Philippine political parties are also not based on political platform, but
rather on personality. Switching party affiliation is so widespread that there were moves
from lawmakers in the past to make this illegal. The issue has fuelled s belief that many
Philippine politicians are opportunists interested in using political power for personal
gain.

[edit] Local government/administrative subdivisions

This section called "Local government/administrative subdivisions" does not cite
any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be
challenged and removed. (January 2008)

The Philippines is divided into a hierarchy of local government units (LGUs) with the
province as the primary unit. As of 2007, there are 81 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. A Philippine province is
headed by a Governor. A Provincial Council (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) is composed of
a Vice Governor (Presiding Officer) and Provincial Board Members. A Philippine city or
municipality is headed by a Mayor. a City Council (Sangguniang Panlungsod) or
Municipal Council (Sangguniang Bayan) is composed of a Vice Mayor (Presiding
Officer) and City or Municipal Councilors. A barangay is headed by a Barangay Captain,
who is also the presiding officer of the barangay council. The Barangay Council is
composed of seven (7) Barangay Kagawads. A similar unit called a Youth Council
(Sangguniang Kabataan) is headed by an SK Chairperson with a similar rank to a
Barangay Captain. The council is composed of SK Members.

The term of office for all local elected officials is three (3) years, starting from noon of
June 30 of an election year. No local elective official shall serve for more than three (3)
consecutive terms in the same position. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any
length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of service for
the full term for which the elective official concerned was elected. Barangay and SK
officials are elected to a term of five (5) years starting from noon of the date as prescribed
by law. The current barangay organic law sets the date of November 12, 2007 as the
effectivite date. Current barangay and SK officials started terms August 15, 2002. The
next barangay and SK election will be on October 29, 2007.

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 region, which is autonomous. The Cordillera Administrative Region
will become an autonomous region and will receive the setup granted to Muslim
Mindanao if voters would approve an organic law that would create a Cordillera
Autonomous Region.

[edit] International organization participation

This section called "International organization participation" does not cite any
references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be
challenged and removed. (January 2008)

The Philippines is a founding and active member of the United Nations since its inception
on October 24, 1945 and is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN). The Philippines is also a member of the East Asia Summit (EAS), an
active player in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Latin Union and a
member of the Group of 24. The country is a major non-NATO ally of the U.S., but also
a member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Memberships: APEC (1989), AsDB (1966),
ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, ITUC,
NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO,
UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UNU, UPU, ITUC, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO,