Summary of Philippine Constitution : Article 7

Article VII: Executive Department


Executive Power- power to administer the laws.

Qualification of the President
1.       Natural Born Citizen of the Philippines
2.       A registered voter
3.       Able to read and write
4.       At least 40 years of age.
5.       Resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years


Power of the President
1.       Veto Power- reject or disapprove any bill passed by the congress
2.       Appointing power- to appoint its cabinet members and other officials of the military and civil service. This certain appointment is subject to the confirmation of the Congress’ Commission on Appointment
3.       Reprieve- postponed the date of execution of a convict from a definite date to other definite time.
4.       Suspension of Sentence- postponement of a sentence without a given definite time when will be the sentence be executed.
5.       Commutation- to lower a certain punishment given to a convict to a lower crime.
6.       Pardoning- to forgive and release the convict from imprisonment
7.       Amnesty- act of forgetfulness by the president to a person who committed an offense undermining the sovereignty of the state
8.       Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
9.       Declare Martial Law- to be confirmed by the congress
10.   Suspend the Privilege of the writ of habeas corpus


Restrictions to Declare a Martial or suspend Habeas Corpus
1.       There must be an actual invasion or rebellion on a certain area (province, city, etc…)
2.       The period must not exceed 60 days unless extended by the congress
3.       President must submit a report in person or in writing to the congress within 48hours of proclamation or suspension which will guide the congress in deciding the action it should take, i.e., revocation or extension;
4.       Proclamation or suspension may be made by the Congress by voting.
5.       The Supreme Court may inquire into the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation or suspension of a Martial Law or Habeas corpus.

Share: