THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT  Role: The Cabinet is composed of department heads who advise the President on

The Philippine Executive Department plays a crucial role in governance by ensuring various areas of governance, such as defense, finance, education, health, and
that laws are implemented and public services are delivered effectively. Headed by foreign affairs. Cabinet members are appointed by the President and play a key
the President, this branch of government executes policies, maintains national role in the formulation and implementation of government policies.
security, manages foreign relations, and leads the country in both domestic and Qualifications:
international affairs. The Executive Department of the Philippines is responsible for  Natural-born Filipino citizen: The individual must be a natural-born citizen of
implementing and enforcing the laws of the country. It is headed by the President, the Philippines.
who serves as both the head of state and the head of government. The Executive  At least 25 years old: The individual must be at least 25 years old, though some
Department is outlined in Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. specific Cabinet positions may have different age requirements.
 Proven Competence and Integrity: The individual must have demonstrated
President of the Philippines competence, expertise, and integrity. The specific qualifications may vary
 Role: The President is the Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed depending on the department or position.
Forces of the Philippines. The President is responsible for executing the laws,  Other Specific Requirements: Some Cabinet positions may require additional
appointing government officials, overseeing the operation of the entire qualifications based on the laws governing that department. For example, the
government, and representing the Philippines in foreign affairs. Secretary of Justice must be a member of the Philippine Bar.
 Term: The President is elected by direct popular vote and serves a single six-year Bureaucracy
term, with no possibility of re-election. The Executive Department includes a vast bureaucracy that carries out the day-to-day
Qualifications: administration of government functions. This includes various government agencies,
 Natural-born Filipino citizen: The candidate must be a natural-born citizen of departments, and local government units that implement laws, provide public
the Philippines, meaning they were a citizen of the Philippines from birth without services, and enforce regulations.
having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their citizenship. Departments of the Philippine Executive Branch
 Registered Voter: The candidate must be a registered voter in the Philippines. 1. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR): Responsible for the redistribution of
 Able to Read and Write: The candidate must be literate and able to read and agrarian land.
write. 2. Department of Energy: Responsible for preparing, integrating, coordinating,
 At least 40 years old on the day of the election: The candidate must be at supervising, and controlling all activities related to energy.
least 40 years old at the time of the election. 3. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR): Responsible
 Resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years: The candidate must have for governing and supervising the exploration, development, utilization, and
been a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding the conservation of natural resources.
election 4. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD): Responsible for
Vice President of the Philippines protecting the social welfare rights of Filipinos and promoting social development
 Role: The Vice President is the second-highest official in the country and may be 5. Department of Science and Technology (DOST): Responsible for
assigned a cabinet position by the President. The Vice President assumes the coordinating science and technology-related projects and formulating policies and
Presidency if the President is unable to fulfill their duties due to death, projects in the fields of science and technology in support of national
resignation, or incapacity. development.
 Term: Like the President, the Vice President is elected by direct popular vote and 6. Department of Transportation (DOTr): Responsible for maintaining and
serves a six-year term, with the possibility of re-election to the same office. expanding viable, efficient, and dependable transportation systems as effective
Qualifications: instruments for national recovery and economic progress.
 Natural-born Filipino citizen. 7. Department of Tourism (DOT): Responsible for regulating the Philippine
 Registered voter. tourism industry and promoting the Philippines as a tourist destination.
 Able to read and write. 8. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT):
 At least 40 years old on the day of the election. Responsible for planning, developing, and promoting the country’s ICT agenda in
 Resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding the support of national development.
election. 9. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG): Responsible for
Cabinet promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and strengthening local
 government capability aimed towards the effective delivery of basic services to 2. Power of Control
citizenry.  Control over the Executive Branch: The President has the power of control
10. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE): Tasked with the enforcement over all executive departments, bureaus, and offices. This means that the
of the provisions of the Labor Code. President can direct, supervise, and make final decisions on the actions and
11. Department of Health (DOH): Responsible for ensuring access to basic public policies of the entire executive branch.
health services through the provision of quality healthcare and regulation of all 3. Power of Appointment
health services and products.  Appointment of Officials: The President has the authority to appoint key
12. Department of Agriculture (DA): Responsible for promoting agricultural and government officials, including Cabinet members, heads of government agencies,
fisheries development and growth. ambassadors, military officers, and other high-ranking officials. Some
13. Department of Budget and Management (DBM): Responsible for the sound appointments, such as those of the heads of Constitutional Commissions and the
and efficient use of government resources for national development. Chief Justice, require confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
14. Department of Education (DepEd): Responsible for ensuring access to, 4. Military Power
promoting equity in, and improving the quality of basic education.  Commander-in-Chief: The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
15. Department of Justice (DOJ): Responsible for upholding the rule of law in the Forces of the Philippines (AFP). This includes the power to direct military
Philippines. operations, declare martial law, and call out the armed forces to suppress lawless
16. Department of Finance (DOF): Responsible for upholding the rule of law in the violence, invasion, or rebellion.
Philippines.  Martial Law and Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus: The President
17. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA): Tasked to contribute to the can declare martial law in case of invasion or rebellion, when public safety
enhancement of national security and the protection of the territorial integrity and requires it. The President can also suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas
national sovereignty. corpus under the same conditions, but both actions are subject to review by
18. Department of National Defense (DND): Responsible for guarding against Congress and the Supreme Court.
external and internal threats to peace and security in the country. 5. Diplomatic Power
19. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH): Tasked to maintain an  Conduct of Foreign Relations: The President represents the Philippines in
engineering and construction program for the Philippines. foreign affairs. This includes negotiating and entering into treaties and
international agreements, which require the concurrence of the Senate.
EXECUTIVE POWER  Appointment of Ambassadors: The President appoints ambassadors, consuls,
The powers of the Philippine Executive Department, centered on the President, are and other diplomatic representatives to other countries.
extensive and cover all aspects of governance, from enforcing laws to conducting 6. Power of Pardon and Amnesty
foreign relations. These powers are balanced by mechanisms of checks and balances,  Grant of Pardons: The President has the authority to grant pardons, reprieves,
ensuring that the President exercises authority within constitutional limits and in commutations, and other forms of clemency to individuals convicted of crimes,
coordination with the Legislative and Judicial branches of government. except in cases of impeachment.
 Grant of Amnesty: The President can grant amnesty, with the concurrence of a
The powers of the Philippine Executive Department, primarily vested in the President majority of all the members of Congress, to groups or individuals who have
of the Philippines, are outlined in Article VII of the 1987 Constitution. The President, as committed political offenses.
the head of the Executive Branch, exercises a wide range of powers that are crucial 7. Budgetary Power
for governance. Here are the key powers of the Philippine Executive Department:  Preparation of the National Budget: The President is responsible for preparing
and submitting the annual national budget to Congress. The budget outlines the
1. Executive Power government's expenditures and sources of revenue for the upcoming fiscal year.
 Enforcement of Laws: The President is responsible for ensuring that all laws are
faithfully executed. This includes overseeing the implementation of laws and the 8. Veto Power
operations of the government.  Vetoing Legislation: The President has the power to veto bills passed by
 Issuance of Executive Orders: The President can issue executive orders, Congress. The veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of both the Senate and
proclamations, administrative orders, and other directives that have the force of the House of Representatives.
law to manage the operations of the government. 9. Power of Supervision over Local Governments
 General Supervision: The President exercises general supervision over local
government units (LGUs) to ensure that they comply with national laws. This does
not include direct control over local officials but ensures that their actions align
with the law.