“With great Power comes great

Responsibility”- Uncle Ben (Spiderman

movie)

• If you are given the chance to have power, what kind of power is

it and why?

• The Philippine Constitution, our Constitution, reflects the following principles

1. Principle of limited government

2. Principle of republicanism

3. Principle of checks and balances

4. “Principle of separation of powers”

5. Principle of popular sovereignty

6. Principle of individual rights

• To understand the principle of separation of powers, we must be aware of the form of government that we have in our country

• What is a presidential form of government?

- One in which the state makes the executive branch constitutionally independent from the other two branches of government, and vice versa

• Let us familiarize ourselves with the form of government,

the personalities, the buildings and the symbols being used by the three

branches of our government

Legislaive

Executive

Judiciary

• How can we relate the branches of government to the principle of separation of powers?

- The powers of government, by virtue of this principle, are divided into three (3) distinct classes: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial

- They are distributed, respectively, among the three branches of the government

•Separation of Powers- Why?

• The framers of the constitution included the separation of powers for one primary reason: to prevent the majority from achieving absolute rule•The officers entrusted with each of these powers are not permitted to encroach upon the powers confided to the others•If one branch goes beyond the limits set by the Constitution, it acts are null and void

•What are the Specific Powers of each Branch?

Review Question # 1 An example of checks and balances

in the Constitution is the provision that

(A)The President can refuse to approve laws passed by Congress

(B)The Senate must approve Supreme Court appointments made by the President

(C)The Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional

(D)All of the above

Correct Answer

(D) All of the above

Review Question # 2Which of the following is the best

example of the principle of limited government

in the Constitution(A) All people are granted freedom of

religion(B) The Constitution identifies powers

denied to Congress and to the states(C) Congress has the power to make laws(D)Citizens elect representatives to

Congress

Correct Answer

(B) The Constitution identifies powers denied to Congress and to the states

Review Question # 3 How does the Constitution reflect

the principle of republicanism(A)The President has the power to

veto laws passed by Congress(B)The state or the people keep any

powers not delegated to the federal government

(C)The Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional

(D)Citizens elect representatives to Congress

Correct Answer

(D) Citizens elect representatives to Congress

Review Question # 4 Which of the following provisions of

the Constitution provides a check on the power of the President

(A)The President can make treaties(B)Each state is guaranteed a

republican form of government(C ) Congress can impeach a President(D) The President can refuse to

approve laws passed by Congress

Correct Answer

( C ) Congress can impeach a President

Review Question # 5 The principle of checks and

balances is most strongly related to the principle of

(A)Limited Government(B)Popular Sovereignty(C)Republicanism(D)Individual Rights

Correct Answer

(A) Limited Government

Review Question # 6 The Constitution states that the

people elect representatives to Congress. Which of the following principles does this provision reflect

(A)Federalism(B)Popular Sovereignty(C)Separation of Powers(D)Checks and Balances

Correct Answer

(B) Popular Sovereignty

Review Question # 7 The Constitution reflects the Principle

of Federalism by stating that(A)Powers not delegated to the

national government belong to the states or the people

(B)The government is divided into three branches

(C)All citizens have the right to equal protection of the law

(D)All citizens 18 years and older can vote

Correct Answer

(A) Powers not delegated to the national government belong to the states or the people

Review Question # 9 The division of the government

into three branches with distinct powers

reflects the principle of(A)Federalism(B)Popular Sovereignty(C)Separation of Powers(D)Checks and Balances

(C ) Separation of Powers

Assignment

• Make a research and be familiar with the principles of checks and balances in our branches of government

• Bring a 1/8 illustration board, a pencil, and a ruler