President of the Philippines: Things You Need To Know

president of the philippines

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 those things a President may or may not do so I could 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:

  • A natural-born citizen of the Philippines
  • Registered voter
  • Able to read and write
  • At least 40 years old on the day of the election
  • Philippine residents for at least 10 years immediately
    preceding such an election.

2. The President is immune from suits 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 any time.

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 GOCCs (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 treaties 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.