BLENDING OF POWERS

With the intricateness of the operations of government, it is unwise and impracticable to effect a strict and complete separation of powers. There are instances when certain powers are to be reposed in more than one department so they may better collaborate with, and in the process check each other for the sake of a good and efficient government. Thus, the necessity of blending of powers.

Blending of powers is actually sharing of powers of the different departments of government whereby one department helps and coordinates with the other in the exercise of a particular power, function or responsibility.

The following are examples under the 1987 Philippine Constitution where powers are not confined exclusively within one department but are in fact shared:

1. The President and Congress help one another in the making of laws. Congres enacts the bill and the President approves it.
2. The President prepares a budget and Congress enacts an appropriation bill pursuant to that budget.
3. The President enters into a treaty with foreign countries and the Senate ratifies the same.
4. The Supreme Court may declare a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law, as unconstitutional, and it has also the power to declare invalid any act done by the othe departments of government.
5. The grant of amnesty by the President is subject to the concurrence of a majority of all the members of the Congress.

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