President of the Philippines: Things You Need To Know
The President of the Philippines is considered the most
powerful government position in the Philippines.
This position will be contested by at least 4 candidates in the
coming 2016 presidential election.
The following will be trying their luck to win the Presidency
in the 2016 Presidential election:
But what exactly does a President of the Philippines allowed
and not allowed to do?
Being an ordinary Filipino, I wanted to know what are those
things that a President may or may not do so I can personally
evaluate on my own if the President is doing the job or not.
Here are some facts about the President of the Philippines
1. Before one can become a President, One must have the following
qualifications:
- Natural-born citizen of the Philippines
- Registered voter
- Able to read and write
- At least 40 years old on the day of election
- Philippine resident for at least 10 years immediately
preceding such election.
2. The President is immune from suit and criminal prosecution
while he is in office.
Now I know why President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was charged
of a crime only after her term of office expired.
3. The President has the discretion even after the signing of
the treaty by the Philippine representative whether or not
to ratify the same.
4. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
5. The Term of Office of the President of the Philippines is
6 years beginning at noon on 30 June immediately following
the election and ending at noon on the same day 6 years later.
The President is eligible for a single term of office only
and not eligible for any reelection.
Any person who has succeeded as President and served as such
for more than 4 years shall not be qualified for election to
the same office at anytime.
Now I understand why Gloria Macapagal Arroyo served as
President for more than 6 years.
6. The Salaries of the President are determined by law.
Under the proposed Salary Standardization Law of 2015,
the President’s salary is Php160,924 for the 1st year of
implementation and almost Php400,000 in the fourth year under
Salary Grade 33
The Salaries cannot be decreased during the tenure of the
President.
Increases take effect only after the expiration of the term
of the incumbent during which the increase was approved.
The President is prohibited from receiving any other emolument
from the government or any other source during their tenure.
7. The President of the Philippines can not participate in any
business or be financially interested in any contract with,
or in any franchise, or special privilege granted by the
government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality
thereof, including GOCC’s (government owned or controlled
corporations) or their subsidiaries.
8. The President exercises control over all the executive
departments, bureaus, and offices. so the President can
alter, modify, or set aside what a subordinate officer has
done in the performance of his duties, and to substitute the
judgment of the officer for that of his subordinate.
So the President altered the decision of the Bureau of
Customs to randomly open balikbayan boxes.
9. The President may grant the following:
- Pardons (conditional or plenary)
- Reprieves
- Commutations
- Remittance of fines and forfeitures
10. The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf
of the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence
of the Monetary Board subject to limitations as may be
provided by law.
11. The President of the Philippines has the power to negotiate
treaties and other international agreements but such treaty or
international agreement must be concurred in by at least 2/3
of all Senators in order to be valid and effective in our
country.