Next CSE-PPT: 14 March 2027 · Professional & Subprofessional
Civil Service Exam reviewer on Articles VII and VIII of the Constitution: presidential powers, succession, pardons and treaties, the Judicial and Bar Council, qualifications of justices and judicial independence.
Articles VII and VIII of the 1987 Constitution set out the powers of the President and the structure of the Judiciary. This set covers the President's control of the executive branch, appointments, pardons and amnesty, treaties, the budget and the State of the Nation Address, presidential succession, and the Judiciary's independence, the Judicial and Bar Council, qualifications of justices and deadlines for deciding cases.
Many items test which body must concur with a presidential act: the Commission on Appointments for appointments, a majority of all members of Congress for amnesty, and two-thirds of all senators for treaties. Learn these three pairs carefully.
Correct answer: C. Executive departments, bureaus and offices
The President has control of all executive departments, bureaus and offices and must ensure that laws are faithfully executed. Over local governments, the President exercises only general supervision under Article X.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. The Vice-President
Article VII, Section 8 provides that the Vice-President becomes President for the unexpired term in case of the President's death, permanent disability, removal or resignation.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. The Senate President, or if unable, the Speaker of the House
Under Section 8, the Senate President, or if he is also unable, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, acts as President until the President or Vice-President is elected and qualified.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Cases of impeachment
Article VII, Section 19 allows the President to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after conviction by final judgement, except in cases of impeachment or as otherwise provided in the Constitution.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. A majority of all the members of Congress
Section 19 provides that the President shall have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the members of the Congress. Amnesty is usually granted to groups for political offences.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. At least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate
Article VII, Section 21 requires the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate for a treaty or international agreement to be valid and effective.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. 30 days
Article VII, Section 22 requires the President to submit the budget within thirty days from the opening of every regular session, as the basis of the general appropriations bill.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. State of the Nation Address
Article VII, Section 23 provides that the President shall address Congress at the opening of its regular session, held on the fourth Monday of July. This is the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Without confirmation by the Commission on Appointments
Article VII, Section 3 provides that the Vice-President may be appointed as a member of the Cabinet, and such appointment requires no confirmation.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Judicial and Bar Council
Article VIII, Section 9 requires the President to appoint from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council for every vacancy. Such appointments need no confirmation.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Chief Justice
Article VIII, Section 8 makes the Chief Justice the ex officio chairman of the Judicial and Bar Council, with the Secretary of Justice and a representative of Congress as ex officio members, plus representatives of the Bar, law professors, retired justices and the private sector.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. 90 days
Article VIII, Section 4(1) provides that any vacancy in the Supreme Court shall be filled within ninety days from its occurrence.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. 15 years
Article VIII, Section 7(1) requires at least forty years of age and fifteen years or more as a judge of a lower court or in the practice of law in the Philippines. Members must also be of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. 24 months
Section 15(1) sets deadlines from the date of submission: twenty-four months for the Supreme Court, twelve months for lower collegiate courts, and three months for other lower courts, unless the Supreme Court reduces them.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Fiscal autonomy
Article VIII, Section 3 grants the Judiciary fiscal autonomy: Congress may not reduce its appropriations below the amount for the previous year, and approved appropriations are automatically and regularly released.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. En banc
Article VIII, Section 4(2) requires such cases to be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, decided with the concurrence of a majority of the members who actually took part in the deliberations and voted.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Judicial review
Judicial review is the power of the courts to determine whether a law or act of government conforms to the Constitution. Article VIII, Section 1 also expressly extends judicial power to determining grave abuse of discretion by any branch.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. General supervision
Under Article X, Section 4, the President exercises general supervision over local governments, which means ensuring they act within the law, not substituting his own judgement for theirs as in control.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Suspend the operation of the Constitution or supplant the functioning of the civil courts and legislative assemblies
Section 18 states that a state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorise military courts over civilians where civil courts are able to function.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. 30 June
Article VII, Section 4 provides that the term of the President and Vice-President begins at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following the day of the election.
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