Section 1. The Executive power shall be exercised by the Prime Minister with the assistance of the Cabinet. The Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister, shall consist of the heads of ministries as provided by law. The Prime Minister shall be the head of the government.
Section 2. The Prime Minister and the cabinet shall be responsible to the National Assembly for the program of government and shall determine the guidelines of national policy.
Section 3. The Prime Minister shall be elected by a majority of all the Members of the National Assembly from among themselves.
Section 4. The Prime Minister shall appoint the members of the Cabinet who shall be the heads of ministries at least a majority of whom shall come from the National Assembly. Members of the Cabinet may be removed at the discretion of the Prime Minister.
Section 5.
The Prime Minister shall appoint the Deputy Prime Minister from among the Members of the National Assembly. The Deputy Prime Minister shall head a ministry and shall perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister shall also appoint the Deputy Ministers who shall perform such functions as may be assigned to them by law or by the respective heads of ministries.
Section 6. The Prime Ministers and the Members of the Cabinet, on assuming office, shall take the following oath or affirmation :
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as (name of position) of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God.” (In case of affirmation, the last sentence will be omitted)
Section 7. The salaries and emoluments of the Prime Minister and the Members of the Cabinet shall be fixed by law which shall not be increased or decreased during their tenure of office. Until otherwise provided by law, the Prime Minister shall receive the same salary as that of the President.
Section 8. The Prime Minister and the Members of the cabinet shall be subject to the provisions of sections ten and eleven of Article Eight hereof and may not appear as counsel before any court or administrative body, or participate in the management of any business, or practice any profession.
Section 9. The Prime Minister or any Member of the Cabinet may resign for any cause without vacating his seat in the National Assembly.
Section 10. The Prime Minister shall, at the beginning of each regular session of the National Assembly, and from time to time thereafter, present the program of government and recommend for the consideration of the National Assembly such measures as he may deem necessary and proper.
Section 11. The Prime Minister shall have control of all ministries.
Section 12. The Prime Minister shall be commander-in-chief of all armed forces of the Philippines, and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion, insurrection, or rebellion. In case of invasion, or rebellion, or imminent danger thereof when the public safety requires, it he may suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law.
Section 13. The Prime Minister shall appoint the heads of bureaus and offices, the officers of the armed forces of the Philippines from the rank of brigadier general or commodore, and all other officers of the Government whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and those whom he may be authorized by law to appoint. However, the National Assembly may by law vest in members of the cabinet, courts, heads of agencies, commissions, and boards the power to appoint inferior officers in their respective offices.
Section 14. The Prime Minister may, except in cases of impeachment grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, remit fines and forfeitures after final conviction, and with the concurrence of the National Assembly, grant amnesty.
Section 15. The Prime Minister may contract and guarantee foreign and domestic loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.
Section 16. All powers vested in the President of the Philippines under nineteen hundred and thirty-five Constitution and the laws of the land which are not herein provided for or conferred upon any official shall be deemed, and are hereby, vested in the Prime Minister, unless the National Assembly provides otherwise.
