Travel Guide:

The Philippines constitutes a Malay archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,000 km². It lies between 116° 40' and 126° and 34' E. longitude, and 4° 40' and 21° 10' N. latitude. It is surrounded by the Philippine Sea (east), the Southe China Sea (west), and the Celebes Sea (south).   

                                  

The islands are commonly divided into three major groups: Luzon,  Visayas, and Mindanao.   The busy port of Manila, on Luzon, is the country's capital and second-largest city after Quezon City.

GOVERNMENT

The new Philippine Constitution was ratified in early 1987, signalling the country's return to democracy.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH:

Chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 30 June 2004) and Vice-President Noli de Castro (since 30 June 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments' elections: president and vice-president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 16 May 2004 (next elections to be held on May 2010)

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH:

Based on the United States' governmental system, the Philippines has a Senate and House of Representatives. Bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats: one-half elected every three years; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (214 seats: members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms. Additional members may be appointed by the President but the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) Elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2004 (next elections to be held on May 2010); House of Representatives - elections last held 16 May 2004 (next elections to be held on May 2010)

JUDICIAL BRANCH:

Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age)

Source: http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/general.asp