Philippines Key Facts

Andrew Matheson

11:59pm Monday 15 March

Political system	Pluralist Democracy modelled on the United States with an executive presidency, a bicameral Congress and a Supreme Court that can rule on the constitutionality of government actions.
National legislature	Bicameral Congress - Senate and House of Representatives.
National Elections	The May 10^th 2004 election was for the Presidency, the House of Representatives and one half of the Senate. The next are scheduled for May 2010. Mid-term elections for the House of Representatives and one half of the Senate were held in May 2007.
National Government	Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who became President on January 20^th 2001, won re-election in her own right on May 10^th 2004 for a six year term.
Head of State	President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Key Ministers [1]	Vice President - Noli De Castro Foreign Affairs - Alberto Romulo Finance - Margarito Teves Defence - Gilbert Teodoro Justice - Raul Gonzales Advisor on the Peace Process - Alverino Razon Agriculture - Arthur Yap Trade and Industry - Peter Favila Budget and Management - Rolando Andaya

[1] The Cabinet system is based on the US models. Departments are headed by Secretaries appointed by the President.