The government of the Philippines is divided into three branches:
- Legislative Branch : Responsible for making, altering, and repealing laws. It is composed of the Philippine Congress, which has two chambers—the Senate (upper house) and the House of Representatives (lower house)
- Executive Branch : Responsible for carrying out and enforcing laws. It is headed by the President, who is both the head of state and government, and includes the Vice President, the Cabinet, executive departments, and various agencies. The President and Vice President are elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term
- Judicial Branch : Responsible for interpreting laws, applying them to cases, and deciding on their constitutionality. It is headed by the Supreme Court, which has the power of judicial review, and includes lower courts
This tripartite system ensures a separation of powers with checks and balances among the branches, as established by the 1987 Philippine Constitution
