Introduction to the Ministerial Form of Government

Cristita Marie Giangan

Outline Conceptual Background

Relevant Provisions in the FAB Some Important Terms and Concepts

The Ministerial Form of Government Fundamental Concepts Ministerial Form of Government: Key Terms Advantages Challenges and Considerations

Conceptual Background

Relevant Provisions in the FAB

“The government of the Bangsamoro shall have a ministerial form.The Parties agree to entrench an electoral system suitable to a ministerial form of government. The electoral system shall allow democratic participation, ensure accountability of public officers primarily to their constituents and encourage formation of genuinely principled political parties. The electoral system shall be contained in the Bangsamoro Basic Law to be implemented through legislation enacted by the Bangsamoro Government and correlated with national laws.” (FAB Section I, No.2)

Some Fundamental Terms Ministerial Form of Government

Otherwise known as the parliamentary form of government

The country’s chief executive (head of government) is elected by the legislative branch of government (parliament)

Electoral System A set of methods that governs how the citizens elect

members of the legislative and the executive branches of government

Also called a voting system

Some Fundamental Terms Political Party

Is a political organization that tries to influence and/or control government policies by capturing political power through fielding candidates with aligned views in elections

Genuinely Principled Political Parties Political parties that compete in elections based

on their programmatic profile composed of clearly defined political platforms

The Ministerial Form of Government

Fundamental ConceptsGovernment and AdministrationGovernment

The system by which a country is governed

The Official Seal of the Government of the

Republic of the Philippines

Fundamental ConceptsGovernment and AdministrationAdministration

The executive branch of government under a specific head of government

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III

during a Cabinet Meeting

Fundamental ConceptsBranches of GovernmentExecutive: law implementation

Malacanang Palace President, Vice President, Members of Cabinet, Bureaucracy

Fundamental ConceptsBranches of GovernmentLegislative: law making

The Congress of the Philippines holding session at the Batasang Pambansa Complex

Senate(Upper House)

House of Representatives

(Lower House)

Con

gres

s of

the

Phi

lipp

ines

Fundamental ConceptsBranches of GovernmentJudiciary: law interpretation and adjudication

Supreme Court of the Philippines

Supreme Court of the Philippines1 Chief Justice

14 Associate Justices

Fundamental ConceptsClassifications of Government

Who can participate in the governing process

Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy

Geographical distribution of governing powers

Unitary/Centralized Federal/Decentralized

Relationships between the Executive and Legislative branches of government

Presidential Parliamentary/Ministerial

Ministerial Form of GovernmentThe Details

Definition Ministerial Form of Government

Otherwise known as the parliamentary form of government

The country’s chief executive (head of government) is elected by the legislative branch of government (parliament)

Key Differences Between the Forms of Governments

Key Differences Between the Forms of Governments Presidential

Separation of Powers (between the Executive and Legislative branches) Chief Executive (President) is

Chosen independently of the legislature, Holds office for a fixed term, and Has a number of significant powers that are not subject to the direct control

of the legislative branch

Parliamentary Fusion of Powers

Chief Executive (PM) and the Members of Cabinet are usually members of the legislative

PM is leader of the majority party or a coalition of parties in the legislative and is chosen by that body

Members of the cabinet is usually selected by the PM with approval from the legislative

Key Differences Between the Forms of Governments Presidential

Separation of Powers Powers are spelled out in the Constitution Each of the branches is regularly given several powers

with which it can block actions of the other branch

Parliamentary Fusion of Powers

Members of the Executive (PM and the Cabinet) remain in office only as long as their policies and administration have the support of a majority in the legislative

Vote of No Confidence The legislative is at

odds with the executive in important matters

Vote of No Confidence PM and the Cabinet resigns from office New government is formed

Legislative chooses a new PM, or All legislative seats are vacated to make way for

general elections

Advantages to the Ministerial Form of Government Legislative efficiency Consensus De-concentration of power from one

dominant branch of government

Challenges and Considerations Stability of Governments

Importance of Genuine Political PartiesPolitical Parties

a political organization that tries to influence and/or control government policies by capturing political power through fielding candidates with aligned views in elections

Functions Political recruitment, Political education, Political

communication Interest articulation, interest aggregation

Criteria and Character of Real Political Parties Organization Internal Democracy Programme Autonomy Roots in society Coherence Regional and international integration

Challenges and Considerations Clear accountability mechanisms

Supervision Party interest vs. Individual interest

Role of the majority Role of the minority

Questions?