This article provides information about the Philippine government.
You will learn about its past presidents, the forms of government, the influence of the powerful elites, and the impact of the international community. It will also introduce you to the country's current leaders. It's important to know a little bit about the Philippine government.
Past presidents
Past presidents of the Philippine government are leaders who have served the country in a number of important capacities. These individuals have been credited with revitalizing the Philippine economy and bringing back a strong business climate. Many of these individuals have been lawyers or professors who brought their professional skills to the public service. They have also been credited with keeping the Philippine economy afloat during times of financial crisis.
In addition to serving as president, these individuals were also elected to various positions within the government. For instance, President Manuel L. Quezon appoints a vice president who has a background in the development field. This person is likely to be a pro-poor leader who works to improve the lives of the Filipino people.
Ramos is another example. As president, Ramos worked to remove corrupt officers from the national police force and liberalize the country's heavily protected economy. After he stepped down, Ramos has remained a respected figure in Philippine politics. He also brokered a peace deal with the Moro National Liberation Front, a separatist group in the majority-Muslim south. However, his controversial decision to allow the Marcos family to bury the deceased Marcos was criticized.
Form of government
The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it is made up of 7,641 islands. Its major geographical divisions are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In addition, the country has several provinces. These are all governed by their own governments.
Currently, the Philippines has a unitary-presidential system, but is considering changing to a federal-parliamentary system. This would replace the President, House, and Senate with a single, larger body called the Parliament. However, critics argue that such a move will be too disruptive. In the current system, the country is divided into 17 administrative regions. The national budget is debated by the Congress.
The Philippine parliament consists of two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both houses elect representatives from various districts and the Senate consists of 24 senators. Senators are expected to represent the country's interests, and their terms are six years long.
Influence of powerful elites
In the Philippines, we have the problem of a weak state and a powerful elite. The two are interdependent, and a weak state can't work against the power of powerful elites. The Lopez family is one of the Philippines' most powerful political families. As such, the family is rent-seeking by nature, utilizing state resources and regulatory powers to their benefit.
In the Philippines, labor and peasant organizations are weak, but civil society and new social movements groups, such as women and environmental groups, are strong. These groups are building political power and building new parties. They are an important base for reforming Philippine politics. It is important that these groups are given the opportunity to work together to build a better future for the Philippines.
Political parties are the political vehicles of powerful elites. Although Philippine presidents are elected for six-year terms, the power of individual presidents is transitory. However, the influence of powerful families over Philippine government is enduring and adaptable. The influence of these families extends beyond elections and into policymaking, regulatory bodies, jurisprudence, and the distribution of government resources.
Impact of international community
Manila is facing a deadlock in the dispute over Scarborough Shoal, and the international community needs to help it navigate the situation. It should push for a substantive Code of Conduct with China, maintain a diplomatic channel with Beijing, and seek regional cooperation on common concerns. But the international community must act with restraint.
It is also important to note that the Philippines' foray into organized international labor migration was supposed to be temporary, and would end once the country recovered from its economic troubles. However, the lack of sustained economic development, persistent unemployment, and low wages continued to push Filipinos to migrate abroad. That said, there are some promising developments that could make the Philippines a more desirable destination in the future.
Duterte has not shied away from discussing the war on drugs, and his hardline stance is seen by his overseas audience as a necessary and decisive action to rid the country of drug addicts. However, human rights watch reported that over 7,000 drug dealers and users have been extrajudicially killed since Duterte took office, and that the international response has been largely muted.
