Category Goverment

All about Philippine Government

Mar 26 2013

Armed Forces of the Philippines

The coat of arms of the armed forces of the Philippines is a stylized triangle divided in three colors: red, yellow, and blue, representing the national colors; defacing the triangle is the eight-rayed Philippine sun (eight major rays each of which has a minor ray to the left and right of the major ray), in turn defaced with a stylized version of the ancient Tagalog script for “K”, representing the Tagalog word “Kalayaan” or “Freedom,” the stylized “K” resembling the Roman capital “I”. Beneath the triangle is a scroll bearing the legend “Philippines” the entire surrounded by two laurel branches.

  • The Philippine Army (PA) is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas.
  • The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is the air force of the Republic of the Philippines, and one of the three main services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas
  • The Philippine Navy (PN) is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas. Philippine Navy ships are prefixed BRP (Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas or Bapor ng Republika ng Pilipinas; in English, “Ship of the Republic of the Philippines.”)

 References:

Mar 26 2013

The Philippine National Anthem

On June 11, Julian Felipe showed Aguinaldo the draft of his musical composition, which was entitled Marcha Filipina Magdalo then Felipe changed the title of the march to Marcha Nacional Filipina (Philippine National March).

The following day(June 12, 1898), the music band of San Francisco de Malabon played it for the first time during the unfurling of the Filipino flag at Kawit. The beautiful melody of the anthem stirred the people’s patriotic fervor.

Towards the end of August 1899, a young poet-soldier named Jose Palma (younger brother of Dr. Rafael Palma) wrote the poem entitled Filipinas. This poem expressed in elegant Spanish verses the ardent patriotism and fighting spirit of the Filipino people. It became the words of the anthem. At last the national anthem was complete — with music and words.

1898 : National Anthem Melody : Marcha Nacional Filipina

 1899 : National Anthem in Spanish : Filipinas

  • Tierra adorada,
  • hija del sol de Oriente,
  • su fuego ardiente
  • en ti latiendo está.
  • Patria de amores,
  • del heroísmo cuna,
  • los invasores
  • no te hallarán jamás.
  • En tu azul cielo, en tus auras,
  • en tus montes y en tu mar
  • esplende y late el poema
  • de tu amada libertad.
  • Tu pabellón que en las lides
  • la victoria iluminó,
  • no verá nunca apagados
  • sus estrellas ni su sol.
  • Tierra de dichas, de sol y amores
  • en tu regazo dulce es vivir;
  • es una gloria para tus hijos,
  • cuando te ofenden, por ti morir.

 

1934 : National Anthem in English : The Philippine Hymn

In the 1920s, after the repeal of the Flag Law, it became necessary to translate the lyrics. The American colonial government commissioned the translation of the Spanish lyrics to English. A Filipino writer, Camilo Osias, and an American,A.L. Lane, translated Filipinas. The Philippine Commonwealth officially adopted the Filipino translation of the National Anthem in 1934.

The Philippine Hymn

  • Land of the morning,
  • Child of the sun returning,
  • With fervor burning,
  • Thee do our souls adore.
  • Land dear and holy,
  • Cradle of noble heroes,
  • Ne’er shall invaders
  • Trample thy sacred shore.
  • Ever within thy skies and through thy clouds
  • And o’er thy hills and sea,
  • Do we behold the radiance, feel the throb,
  • Of glorious liberty.
  • Thy banner, dear to all our hearts,
  • Its sun and stars alight,
  • O never shall its shining field
  • Be dimmed by tyrant’s might!
  • Beautiful land of love, o land of light,
  • In thine embrace ’tis rapture to lie,
  • But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged,
  • For us, thy sons to suffer and die.

1956 : National Anthem in Filipino: Lupang Hinirang

During the term of Pres. Ramon Magsaysay, the National Anthem was translated by Julian Cruz Balmaceda and Ildefonso Santos. On May 26, 1956, the National Anthem, Lupang Hinirang was finally sung in Filipino. Minor revisions were made in 1962, and it is this final version which is in use today.

Lupang Hinirang Lyrics
(Julian Felipe)

Bayang magiliw
Perlas ng silanganan
Alab ng puso
Sa dibdib mo’y buhay

Lupang Hinirang
Duyan ka nang magiting
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil

Sa Dagat at bundok sa simoy
At sa langit mo’y bughaw
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal
Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y tagumpay na nagniningning
Ang bituin at araw niya’y kailanpama’y di magdidilim

Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati’t pagsinta
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo
Aming ligaya nang pag
May mang-aapi
Ang mamatay ng dahil sayo

References:

Mar 26 2013

List of Philippines’ Presidents

Presidents of the Philippines

First Republic (Malolos Republic) (First Dictatorship) (1899-1901)

1. President : Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899-April 1, 1901)
Vice President : none (The 1899 Constitution did not provide for VP.

Commonwealth (American Era) (1935-1944)

2. President : Manuel L. Quezon (November 15, 1935 – August 1, 1944)
Vice President : Sergio Osmeña

Second Republic (Japanese Occupation) (1943-1945)

3. President                : Jose P. Laurel (October 14, 1943 – August 14, 1945)
Vice President : none (The 1943 Constitution did not provide for VP.

Commonwealth (Restored) (1944-1946)

4. President :Sergio Osmeña (August 1, 1944 – May 28, 1946)
Vice President : vacant

Third Republic (Post-American Era) (1946-1972)

5. President : Manuel Roxas (May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948)
Vice President : Elpidio Quirino

6. President : Elpidio Quirino (April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953)
Vice President : Fernando Lopez

7. President : Ramon Magsaysay (December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957)
Vice President : Carlos P. Garcia

8. President : Carlos P. Garcia (March 18, 1957 – December 30, 1961)
Vice President : Diosdado Macapagal

9. President : Diosdado Macapagal Dec. 30, 1961–December 30, 1965)
Vice President : Emmanuel Pelaez

10. President : Ferdinand E. Marcos (Dec. 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986)
Vice President : Fernando Lopez

Fourth Republic (The New Society/Second Dictatorship) (1972-86 )

10.  President : Ferdinand E. Marcos (Dec. 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986)
Vice President : Arturo Tolentino

Fifth Republic (Post-EDSA Revolution) (1986-Present)

11. President : Corazon C. Aquino – February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992)
Vice President : Salvador Laurel

12. President : Fidel V. Ramos (June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998)
Vice President : Joseph Ejercito Estrada

13 .President : Joseph Ejercito Estrada (June 30, 1998 – Jan. 20, 2001)
Vice President : Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

14. President :Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (January 20, 2001 – 2010)
Vice President : Noli de Castro

15. President :Benigno Simeon C. Aquino (2010 – Present)
Vice President : Jejomar Binay

Presidents who headed revolutionary governments:

  1. Emilio Aguinaldo (1941)
  2. Corazon C. Aquino (1986)

Presidents who became President after predecessor was deposed through EDSA Revolution: 

  1. Corazon C. Aquino (1986)
  2. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001)

Vice Presidents who succeeded to the Presidency:

  1. Sergio Osmeña (1944)
  2. Elpidio Quirino (1948)
  3. Carlos P. Garcia (1957)
  4. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001)

Vice Presidents who were later elected President:

  1. Elpidio Quirino (1948)
  2. Carlos P. Garcia (1957)
  3. Joseph Ejercito Estrada (1998)
  4. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001)

Presidents who were elected after serving the remaining term of predecessor:

  1. Elpidio Quirino (1949)
  2. Carlos P. Garcia (1957)
  3. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001)

Presidents who were re-elected:

  1. Manuel L. Quezon (1941)
  2. Ferdinand E. Marcos (1969, 1981, 1986)

Longest serving President: Ferdinand Marcos (5,259 days)

Shortest serving President: Jose P. Laurel (479 days)

References:

 

Mar 23 2013

The Government of the Philippines

The new Philippine Constitution was ratified in early 1987, signaling the country’s return to democracy.

Three branches of Philippine Government:

A.   Executive Branch

  1. President & Vice President ( note: the president is both the chief of state and head of government)
  2. The Cabinet (Secretaries/Head are appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission on Appointments)         
    1. Department of Agrarian Reform
    2. Department of Agriculture
    3. Department of Budget and Management
    4. Department of Education
    5. Department of Energy
    6. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
    7. Department of Finance
    8. Department of Foreign Affairs
    9. Department of the Interior and Local Government
    10. Department of Health
    11. Department of Justice
    12. Department of Labor and Employment
    13. Department of National Defense
    14. National Economic and Development Authority
    15. Office of the Press Secretary
    16. Department of Public Works and Highways
    17. Department of Science and Technology
    18. Department of Social Welfare and Development
    19. Department of Tourism
    20. Department of Trade & Industry
    21. Department of Transportation & Communications
    22. Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas

B.  Legislative Branch (Bicameral Congress or Kongreso)

  1. The Philippine Senate or Senado ng Pilipinas (24 Senators)
  2. House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members

C.  Judicial Branch

  1. Supreme Court of the Philippines (justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age).
  2. Court of Appeals
  3. Sandiganbayan
Mar 23 2013

Regional Division / Local Government Units (17 Regions) of the Philippines

The Philippines three mail group of islands were further divided into 17 regions comprising different provinces. Provincial Local Government is headed by the elected governor, vice-governor & the” Sangguniang Panlalawigan”.
Region I (ILOCOS REGION)
  1. Ilocos Norte – The Best Of Culture And Nature
  2. Ilocos Sur – Heritage Village Of The Philippines
  3. La Union – Pilgrimage Center Of North Luzon
  4. Pangasinan – Hundred Islands And A Hundred Flavors
Region II (CAGAYAN VALLEY)
  1. Cagayan – A True Spelunker’s Paradise
  2. Isabela – Rice Granary Of The North
  3. Nueva Viscaya – Watershed Haven Of The Valley
  4. Quirino – Forest Heartland Of Cagayan
  5. Batanes – Land Of The True Insulars
Region III (CENTRAL LUZON)
  1. Bulacan – Land Of Heroes
  2. Nueva Ecija – Rice Bowl Of The Philippines
  3. Pampanga – Culinary Center Of The Philippines
  4. Tarlac – Melting Pot Of Central Luzon
  5. Zambales – Wreck Diving Capital Of The Philippines
  6. Bataan – History Hub Of Central Luzon
  7. Aurora – Sanctuary Of Nature’s Splendor
Region IV-A (CALABARZON) & MIMAROPA)
  1. Batangas – From The Lowest Volcano To Deeper Dives
  2. Cavite – A Place With A Glorious Past
  3. Laguna – Resort Province Of The Philippines
  4. Quezon – Land Of A Thousand Colors
  5. Rizal – Cradle Of Philippine Art
Region IV-B ( MIMAROPA)
  1. Marinduque – Lenten Mecca Of Southern Tagalog
  2. Occidental Mindoro – Marine Wonderland Of Luzon
  3. Oriental Mindoro – The Islands’ Loveliest Harbor
  4. Palawan – The Philippines’ Last Frontier
  5. Romblon – Marble Country Of The Philippines
Region V (BICOL REGION) 
  1. Camarines Norte – Bicolandia’s Goldmine
  2. Camarines Sur – World’s Smallest Fish And Higher Climbs
  3. Catanduanes – Eco-adventure Paradise
  4. Masbate – Rodeo Country Of Bicol
  5. Sorsogon – Bicol’s Whale shark Paradise
  6. Albay – Land Of The World’s Most Perfect Cone
Region VI (WESTERN VISAYAS)
  1. Capiz – Seafood Capital Of The Philippines
  2. Iloilo – Heritage Haven Of Panay
  3. Negros Occidental – Sugar Bowl Of The Philippines
  4. Guimaras – Mango Country Of The Visayas
  5. Aklan – The Philippines’ Oldest Province
  6. Antique – Marble Central Of Panay
  7. Boracay – Beach Capital Of The Philippines
Region VII (CENTRAL VISAYAS) 
  1. Bohol – Bohol – Splendor Underwater And Over Hills
  2. Cebu – Cebu – Queen Of The South
  3. Negros Oriental – Negros Oriental – Whale And Dolphin Haven
  4. Siquijor – Marine Paradise Of Central Visayas
Region VIII (EASTERN VISAYAS)
  1. Eastern Samar – Gateway To Philippine Discovery
  2. Leyte – Land Of History
  3. Northen Samar – A Journey Back In Time
  4. Western Samar – Splendor Between Mountain And Sea
  5. Southern Leyte – The Centuries-old Charmer
  6. Biliran – Paradise Undiscovered
Region IX (ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA)
  1. Zamboanga del Norte – From Orchid City To Shrine City
  2. Zamboanga del Sur – The Colors Of Ethnic Zamboanga
  3. Zamboanga Sigubay – The Islands’ Seasnake Sanctuary
  4. Zamboanga City – The Philippines’ Little Spain
Region X (NORTHERN MINDANAO)
  1. Bukidnon – Pineapple Capital Of The World
  2. Camiguin – An Ancestral Homecoming
  3. Misamis Occidental – Christmas Capital Of Mindanao
  4. Misamis Oriental – Mindanao’s Nature Front
  5. Iligan City – Land Of Majestic Waterfalls
Region XI (DAVAO REGION)
  1. Davao Del Norte – Beach Paradise Of The North
  2. Davao Del Sur – Land Of Heights And Flight
  3. Davao Oriental – The Islands’ Ethnic Charmer
  4. Compostela Valley – Nature’s Work Of Art
Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
  1. North Cotabato – Land Of The Mightiest Mountain
  2. Sarangani – Archeologist’s Paradise
  3. Sultan Kudarat – Tuna Country Of Mindanao
  4. South Cotabato – Conference Capital Of Mindanao
  5. Kidapawan City – A Spring In The Highland
  6. Koronadal – Trade Center Of Mindanao
Region XIII (CARAGA)
  1. Agusan Del Norte – Land Of Antiquated Finds
  2. Agusan Del Sur – Treasures Of Old
  3. Surigao Del Norte – Surfing Capital Of The Philippines
  4. Surigao Del Sur – Nature Pride Of Caraga
  5. Butuan City – History Haven Of Caraga
  6. Surigao City – Land Of Peace
(CAR) CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION 
  1. Abra – The Philippines’ Natural Dye Capital
  2. Benguet – Salad Bowl Of The Philippines
  3. Kalinga – Whitewater Rafting Capital Of The North
  4. Apayao – Cordillera’s Last Nature Frontier
  5. Mountain Province – Weaver’s Paradise
  6. Ifugao – Land Of The Eighth World Wonder
  7. Baguio City – Summer Capital Of The Philippines
(NCR) NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
  1. Manila City – Cosmopolitan Capital Of The Philippines
  2. Quezon City – City Of New Horizons
  3. Calookan City – Home Of Heroes
  4. Pasay City – Cultural Center Of Metro Manila
  5. Pasig City – The Urban Rainforest
  6. Makati City – Wall Street Of The Philippines
  7. Mandaluyong City – The New Tiger Of Metro Manila
  8. Marikina City – Shoe Capital Of The Philippines
  9. Valenzuela City – Industrial Boomtown
  10. Muntinlupa City – Residential Haven
  11. Paranaque City – Parañaque City – Novena Mecca Of Metro Manila
  12. Las Pinas City – Salt Center Of Metro Manila
  13. Malabon City – A Coastal Capital
  14. Navotas – Fishing Capital Of Greater Manila
  15. Taguig – Rice Bowl Of Greater Manila
  16. Pateros – The Philippines’ Duck Egg Capital
  17. San Juan – Brave Men In History
AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (ARMM)
  1. Basilan – A Province To Be Watched
  2. Lanao Del Norte – Land Of Beauty And Bounty
  3. Lanao Del Sur – Cradle Of Muslim Art
  4. Tawi-Tawi – The Seat Of Muslim Mindanao
  5. Sulu – Land Of Treasures And Farers Of The Sea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_the_Philippines

http://www.nscb.gov.ph/

http://www.census.gov.ph/

 

Mar 23 2013

The Government of the Philippines

The new Philippine Constitution was ratified in early 1987, signaling the country’s return to democracy.

Three branches of Philippine Government:

A.   Executive Branch

  1. President & Vice President ( note: the president is both the chief of state and head of government)
  2. The Cabinet (Secretaries/Head are appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission on Appointments)         
    1. Department of Agrarian Reform
    2. Department of Agriculture
    3. Department of Budget and Management
    4. Department of Education
    5. Department of Energy
    6. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
    7. Department of Finance
    8. Department of Foreign Affairs
    9. Department of the Interior and Local Government
    10. Department of Health
    11. Department of Justice
    12. Department of Labor and Employment
    13. Department of National Defense
    14. National Economic and Development Authority
    15. Office of the Press Secretary
    16. Department of Public Works and Highways
    17. Department of Science and Technology
    18. Department of Social Welfare and Development
    19. Department of Tourism
    20. Department of Trade & Industry
    21. Department of Transportation & Communications
    22. Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas

B.  Legislative Branch (Bicameral Congress or Kongreso)

    1. The Philippine Senate or Senado ng Pilipinas (24 Senators)
    2. House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members

C.  Judicial Branch

    1. Supreme Court of the Philippines (justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age).
    2. Court of Appeals
    3. Sandiganbayan