Legal System of Philippines

Philippines is located in East N Southeast Asia. It is geographically situated in southeastern asia, archipelago between the philippine sea and the south china sea, east of vietnam. The country achieved independence on 4 july 1946 (from the us). The capital is Manila.

Government Overview

Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Ferdinand “BongBong” MARCOS, Jr. (since 30 June 2022) Head of Government: President Ferdinand “BongBong” MARCOS, Jr. (since 30 June 2022) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments, an independent body of 25 Congressional members that includes the Senate president (ex officio chairman) and is appointed by the president Administrative Divisions: 81 provinces and 38 chartered cities

provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay

chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga National Holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Philippines is described as mixed system of civil, common, Islamic (sharia), and customary law International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; withdrew from the ICCt in March 2019

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Amendment Process: proposed by Congress if supported by three fourths of the membership, by a constitutional convention called by Congress, or by public petition; passage by either of the three proposal methods requires a majority vote in a national referendum

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 14 associate justices) Judge Selection: justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council, a constitutionally created, 6-member body that recommends Supreme Court nominees; justices serve until age 70 Subordinate Courts: Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan (special court for corruption cases of government officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional, metropolitan, and municipal trial courts; sharia courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan) (317 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): mixed system Upper Chamber: Senate (Senado)

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Philippines Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War.  Led by Emilio AGUINALDO, the Filipinos conducted an insurgency against US rule from 1899-1902, although some fighting continued in outlying islands as late as 1913. In 1935, the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Philippines based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.