THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

What is the President's term of office?

• The presidential term of office begins at noon on June 30 following the day of the election and ends on June 30 six years thereafter.
• The President is not eligible for reelection.
• The President's successor is disqualified to run for the presidency if he or she has served as president for more than four years.

What happens if the President is seriously ill or unable to discharge his or her duties?

• In case of serious illness of the President, the public will be informed. The members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will not be denied access to the President during such illness.
• Whenever the President transmits to the Senate president and the Speaker his or her written declaration that he or she is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office, and until he or she transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties will be discharged by the Vice President as acting president.
• Whenever a majority of all the members of the Cabinet transmit to the Senate president and to the Speaker their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office, the Vice President will immediately assume such powers and duties as acting president.
• When the President transmits to the Senate president and the Speaker his or her written declaration that no inability exists, he or she will reassume the powers and duties. Meanwhile, should a majority of all the members of the Cabinet transmit within five days to the Senate president and to the Speaker their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge these powers and duties, Congress will decide the issue.
• If Congress, within 10 days after receipt of the last written declaration, or, if not in session within 12 days after it is required to assemble, determines by a two-thirds vote of both houses, voting separately, that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office, the Vice President shall act as President; otherwise, the President will continue exercising such powers and duties.

What the President cannot do

• The President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet, and their deputies or assistants cannot hold any other office or employment during their tenure. They cannot, directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any business, or be financially interested in any contract with or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the government. They must strictly avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office.
• The President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet and other affected officials cannot divest his or her shareholdings or interests to his or her spouse and relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. Divestment must be within 60 days of assumption of office.
• The President cannot appoint his or her spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree as members of the Constitutional Commissions or the Office of the Ombudsman, or as secretaries, undersecretaries, chairpersons, or heads of bureaus or offices, including government-owned or -controlled corporations during his or her tenure.
• The President or acting President cannot make appointments two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his or her term, except temporary appointments to executive positions in which continued vacancies will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.

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