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Quizzes > Society & Culture

Philippine Politics Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Quick, free Philippine politics trivia quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Daniel HawtonUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of quiz interface with Philippine political symbols and text on teal background

This Philippine politics quiz helps you check what you know about key leaders, laws, and events in the Philippines. Answer quick questions and see your score right away. Want to keep learning? Explore political trivia, try a political science quiz, or go broader with a Philippine trivia quiz.

What is the capital city of the Philippines?
Davao City
Cebu City
Quezon City
Manila
Manila has been the official capital of the Philippines since the Spanish colonial period and continues to host the seat of government. It is home to Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the President. While Quezon City is the most populous city, it is not the capital.
How many branches of government are established by the 1987 Constitution?
Three
Five
Two
Four
The 1987 Philippine Constitution establishes three distinct branches of government: the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. This separation ensures a balance of power and prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
What form of government does the Philippines have?
Federal parliamentary republic
Unitary presidential republic
Unitary parliamentary monarchy
Confederate monarchy
The Philippines is a unitary presidential republic, meaning it has a single national government with a president who is both head of state and head of government. It is not a federal or parliamentary system under the current constitution.
How long is the term of the President of the Philippines?
Six years
Three years
Four years
Five years
Under the 1987 Constitution, the President of the Philippines serves a single six-year term without re-election. This prevents the extension of presidential power beyond six years.
How many senators serve in the Philippine Senate?
18
24
12
30
The Philippine Senate is composed of 24 senators who serve staggered six-year terms, with elections for half of the seats held every three years.
Who was the first President of the Philippines?
Jose Rizal
Manuel L. Quezon
Emilio Aguinaldo
Sergio Osmeña
Emilio Aguinaldo became the first President of the Philippines when the First Philippine Republic was proclaimed in 1899. He led the revolution against Spain and later against American occupation.
When did the Philippines gain full independence from the United States?
June 12, 1898
March 22, 1934
July 4, 1946
September 21, 1972
The Philippines was granted full independence by the United States on July 4, 1946, via the Treaty of Manila, ending American sovereignty. June 12, 1898 marks the declaration of independence from Spain.
Who is second in line to the Philippine presidency?
Senate President
Speaker of the House
Chief Justice
Vice President
The Vice President is the first in the presidential line of succession, taking over if the President is unable to serve. Next in line is the Senate President, then the Speaker of the House.
What is the highest court in the Philippines?
Supreme Court
Regional Trial Court
Court of Appeals
Sandiganbayan
The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the Philippines and has the final say on interpreting the constitution and laws. Below it are lower courts such as the Court of Appeals and regional trial courts.
Which chamber of Congress originates all appropriation and revenue bills?
Office of the President
Senate
House of Representatives
Commission on Audit
By constitutional mandate, all appropriation, revenue, or tariff bills must originate in the House of Representatives. The Senate may propose or concur with amendments afterward.
How many years is the term of a Senator in the Philippines?
Four years
Five years
Three years
Six years
Senators in the Philippines serve six-year terms and may be re-elected indefinitely. Elections for half of the Senate seats are held every three years to ensure continuity.
Which Constitution is currently in effect in the Philippines?
1987 Constitution
1935 Constitution
1899 Malolos Constitution
1973 Constitution
The current supreme law of the land is the 1987 Constitution, drafted by the Constitutional Commission after the People Power Revolution. It restored democratic institutions and civil liberties.
What is the minimum voting age in the Philippines?
16
21
20
18
The Philippine Constitution and election laws set the minimum voting age at 18 years old. This age ensures adults can participate in choosing public officials.
Which independent constitutional body administers elections in the Philippines?
Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
Commission on Audit (COA)
Ombudsman
Civil Service Commission (CSC)
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is the constitutionally mandated body responsible for enforcing and administering all laws related to the conduct of elections. It oversees voter registration, candidate accreditation, and vote counting.
How many justices, including the Chief Justice, compose the Supreme Court of the Philippines?
11
12
15
17
The Supreme Court of the Philippines consists of 15 members: one Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices. This composition ensures a broad judicial perspective.
What does SALN stand for in Philippine government transparency efforts?
State Authority for Legislative Norms
Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth
Standard Allocation of Local Nominations
Special Audit of Local Neighborhoods
The SALN is a document that government officials in the Philippines must file annually, declaring their assets, liabilities, and net worth to promote accountability and curb corruption.
Which Philippine President declared Martial Law in 1972?
Corazon Aquino
Ferdinand Marcos
Diosdado Macapagal
Ramon Magsaysay
President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972, citing threats of communist insurgency and civil unrest. This period led to significant curtailment of civil liberties.
What is the smallest administrative local government unit in the Philippines?
Barangay
Region
Province
Municipality
The barangay is the basic political unit in the Philippines, serving as the smallest administrative division. It handles local governance and community issues at the grassroots level.
What political party did Ferdinand Marcos establish in 1978 as the ruling party during Martial Law?
Nacionalista Party
Liberal Party
Kilusang Bagong Lipunan
Lakas - CMD
Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) was founded by Ferdinand Marcos in 1978 to serve as the ruling party during Martial Law. It dominated politics until the end of his regime.
Who was the first female President of the Philippines?
Leni Robredo
Imelda Marcos
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Corazon Aquino
Corazon Aquino became the first female President of the Philippines after the 1986 People Power Revolution, serving from 1986 to 1992. She restored democracy after Martial Law.
What fraction of both Houses of Congress is required to declare war or a national emergency?
Three-fourths
Simple majority
One-half
Two-thirds
The Philippine Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of all members in each House of Congress to declare war, a state of war, or a national emergency. This high threshold ensures broad consensus.
What law enacted the Local Government Code in the Philippines, strengthening local autonomy?
Republic Act No. 10963
Republic Act No. 9003
Republic Act No. 7160
Republic Act No. 7941
Republic Act No. 7160, known as the Local Government Code of 1991, decentralized powers and resources to provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays to promote local governance.
How often are local elections held for mayors and governors in the Philippines?
Every four years
Every five years
Every six years
Every three years
Local elections for mayors, governors, and other officials are held every three years on the second Monday of May, in sync with national midterm and general elections.
What is the required quorum in the House of Representatives of the Philippines to conduct business?
Three-fourths of all its members
A majority of all its members
Two-thirds of members present
One-third of all its members
The House of Representatives requires a majority of all its members to be present for a quorum, which allows it to conduct official business and pass legislation.
What term length do barangay captains serve?
Four years
Three years
Five years
Six years
Barangay captains, who lead the smallest local government unit, serve three-year terms and may be re-elected for up to three consecutive terms.
Which office investigates and prosecutes public officials for misconduct in the Philippines?
Department of Justice
Civil Service Commission
Office of the Ombudsman
Commission on Audit
The Office of the Ombudsman is the constitutional body empowered to investigate and prosecute government officials for corruption and misconduct, ensuring accountability.
Which of the following is NOT a constitutional commission under the 1987 Constitution?
Civil Service Commission
Commission on Elections
Judicial and Bar Council
Commission on Audit
The Judicial and Bar Council is a constitutionally created body but not classified as a 'constitutional commission.' The three constitutional commissions are the Commission on Elections, Civil Service Commission, and Commission on Audit.
How many House members must endorse an impeachment complaint before it is transmitted to the Senate for trial?
A simple majority
One-half of all members
One-third of all members
Two-thirds of all members
Impeachment complaints must first be acted upon by the House of Representatives, where at least one-third of its members must endorse the complaint before it can be sent to the Senate for trial.
Which principle ensures that each branch of government can restrain the powers of the others?
Federalism
Popular sovereignty
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
The doctrine of checks and balances allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches, ensuring no single branch becomes too powerful. This is distinct from separation of powers, which divides functions among branches.
What vote in Congress is needed to override a presidential veto?
Simple majority
One-half vote
Three-fourths vote
Two-thirds vote of both Houses
To override a presidential veto, a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is required, demonstrating a strong legislative consensus against the veto.
Under Philippine law, how long does the President have to review a bill passed by Congress?
30 days
60 days
90 days
15 days
The President has 30 days to sign or veto a bill passed by Congress. If the President takes no action within that period, the bill is considered approved.
Which law created the party-list system for electing representatives to the House of Representatives?
Republic Act No. 9003
Republic Act No. 7941
Republic Act No. 10963
Republic Act No. 7160
Republic Act No. 7941, or the Party-List System Act of 1995, established the party-list mechanism to allocate up to 20% of House seats to marginalized and underrepresented sectors.
What is the term limit for local chief executives (e.g., mayors, governors) in the Philippines?
Three consecutive terms
Two consecutive terms
Four consecutive terms
No term limit
Local chief executives such as mayors and governors may serve three consecutive three-year terms. After serving these, they must take a break before seeking the same position again.
What percentage of House seats are reserved for party-list representatives under the Constitution?
20%
30%
15%
25%
The 1987 Constitution reserves 20% of the total number of seats in the House of Representatives for party-list representatives, ensuring representation for marginalized sectors.
What is the minimum number of members required for a quorum in the Philippine Senate?
11
13
14
12
A quorum in the Philippine Senate requires a majority of all its members, which is 13 out of 24 senators, to conduct official business and consider legislation.
Which branch of government is primarily responsible for approving the national budget?
Constitutional commissions
Executive branch
Legislative branch
Judicial branch
The Philippine Congress (legislative branch) reviews, amends, and approves the national budget proposed by the President before it becomes law.
According to the Constitution, what is the term length of a member of the Civil Service Commission?
Five years
Seven years
Four years
Six years
Members of the Civil Service Commission, including the Chairperson, serve a fixed term of seven years without reappointment to ensure their independence.
What constitutional provision explicitly prohibits political dynasties until defined by law?
Article IX, Section 2
Article XIII, Section 3
Article VI, Section 5
Article II, Section 26
Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution states that the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.
What is the minimum number of valid signatures required in a People's Initiative to propose amendments to the Constitution?
15% of registered voters, with at least 5% in each district
5% of registered voters, with at least 1% in each district
12% of registered voters, with at least 3% in each legislative district
10% of registered voters, with at least 2% in each district
Under Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution, a People's Initiative to amend the Constitution requires valid signatures from at least 12% of all registered voters, with at least 3% in each legislative district.
According to Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, what is the maximum period for which the President can suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus without the consent of Congress?
30 days
60 days
90 days
120 days
The Constitution allows the President to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus for a maximum of 60 days without the consent of Congress when public safety requires it, although Congress may terminate or extend the suspension.
Which Supreme Court case first applied the doctrine of self-executingness to the anti-political dynasty provision of the Constitution?
Davide vs. Senate Electoral Tribunal
Abaya vs. Secretary of Budget
Sarmiento vs. Court of Appeals
Banat vs. COMELEC (2013)
In Banat vs. COMELEC (2013), the Supreme Court discussed the self-executing nature of the anti-political dynasty provision in Article II, Section 26, though it recognized that an enabling law was needed.
According to Article VI, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution, within how many years after a census must legislative districts be reapportioned?
Three years
Seven years
One year
Five years
The Constitution mandates that legislative districts be reapportioned within three years following the return of every census to ensure equal representation by population.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Key Political Events -

    Learn to recognize and recall major milestones in Philippine history through targeted ph trivia prompts that highlight pivotal moments and their significance.

  2. Identify Influential Leaders -

    Be able to match prominent Filipino politicians with their achievements and roles, using political trivia questions designed to reinforce leadership profiles.

  3. Analyze Policy Impacts -

    Examine the effects of landmark legislation and government decisions by engaging with trivia questions politics challenges that explore real-world outcomes.

  4. Recall Crucial Facts and Dates -

    Enhance your memory of important years, figures, and events in Philippine politics through concise trivia questions about politics that test your retention.

  5. Evaluate Your Political Knowledge -

    Gauge your expertise as you answer each question, track your score, and identify areas for improvement in this interactive politics trivia quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Evolution of Philippine Constitutions -

    The Philippines has had five constitutional charters - from the 1899 Malolos Constitution to the 1987 Constitution, each reflecting a shift in governance. Use the mnemonic "M3-8" (Malolos, 1935, 1973, 1987) to recall key documents and their ratification years. Reviewing the official texts on the Official Gazette site provides authoritative context for ph trivia.

  2. Political Dynasties and Representation -

    Political dynasties control nearly 70% of congressional seats, influencing policy and local governance (source: Commission on Elections). A handy memory trick is "FAM" (Family Always Matters) to remember their prevalence in Senate and House races. This is a common theme in politics trivia and crucial for trivia questions about politics involving sociopolitical power.

  3. Landmark Electoral Laws -

    Republic Act No. 7166 and RA 9006 introduced synchronized elections and party-list mechanisms, shaping modern election cycles. Remember the "2+1 Rule" - two terms for congresspersons and one for senators - to track term limits in trivia questions politics. University research repositories on Philippine electoral reforms offer detailed analyses of these statutes.

  4. Checks and Balances in Government -

    The Philippine government uses veto powers and a 2/3 congressional override formula to maintain checks and balances under the 1987 Constitution. Think of it as the "V2C" rule (Veto + 2/3 Congress) when answering political trivia questions. For deeper insight, consult the Supreme Court's annotated decisions on separation of powers.

  5. Party-List System Dynamics -

    The party-list system allocates up to 20% of House seats to marginalized groups passing a 2% vote threshold, capped at three seats each. Use the "20 - 2 - 3" formula to recall the distribution rule when gearing up for ph trivia on party-list trivia questions. Official COMELEC guidelines and academic journals provide case studies of successful party-list campaigns.

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