Philippines

The Republic of the Philippines (Filipino: Republika ng Pilipinas), or the Philippines (Filipino: Pilipinas), is a nation in Southeast Asia. It lies 1,210 km (750 mi) away from mainland Asia and consists of 7,107 islands that form part of the Malay Archipelago.

Politics and foreign relations

The government is loosely patterned after the U.S. government. It is organized as a representative republic, where the President functions as head of state, the head of government, and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president is elected by popular vote to a term of 6 years, during which he or she appoints and presides over the cabinet. The bicameral legislature, the Congress, consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives; members of both are elected by popular vote. There are 24 senators serving 6 years in the Senate while the House of Representatives consists of no more than 250 congressmen each serving 3-year terms. The judiciary branch of the government is headed by the Supreme Court, which has a Chief Justice as its head and 14 Associate Justices, all appointed by the president.

Related Topics:
U.S. government - Representative republic - President - Head of state - Head of government - Commander-in-chief - Armed forces - Cabinet - Legislature - Congress - Senate - House of Representatives - Supreme Court - Chief Justice

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The Philippines is a founding and active member of the United Nations (UN) since its inception on October 24, 1945 and a founding and prominent member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an active player in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Latin Union and a member of the Group of 24. The Philippines is a major non-NATO ally of the United States, but also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Related Topics:
United Nations - October 24 - 1945 - Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation - Latin Union - Group of 24 - United States - Non-Aligned Movement

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The Philippines is currently in a dispute with the Republic of China (Taiwan), the People's Republic of China, Vietnam and Malaysia over the oil- and natural gas-rich Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, and with Malaysia over Sabah. The Sultan of Sulu, who received Sabah as a gift in 1703 after having helped the Sultan of Brunei defeat a rebellion, has given the Philippine Government power to reclaim his lost territory. To this day, the Sultan of Sulu's family still receives "rental" payments for Sabah from the Malaysian Government.

Related Topics:
Republic of China - People's Republic of China - Vietnam - Malaysia - Oil - Natural gas - Spratly Islands - Scarborough Shoal - Sabah - Sulu - Brunei - Sultan of Sulu

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