14. Judicial
power
is vested
in the
Supreme
Court
and lower courts. The decisions of the Supreme Court
are binding
on
all lower tribunals. The
other courts
per cent while real GDP grew by an average of 4.52
per cent, which was within the target set during
the same period. The services sector has been the
under the Supreme Court are: the Court of Appeals,
engine
composed
rate of 5.62 per cent over the said period. The
expansion could be attributed to the expansion of the
telecommunication sector and the new investments
in call centers, business process outsourcing and
software development. Meanwhile, the trade sector
also performed well due to strong consumer spending
which was supported by the steady growth of the
agriculture sector and
remittances
of overseas
Filipino workers.
of 51 Justices with
one
Presiding Justice;
Regional Trial Courts; the Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts; and the Municipal Trial Courts established in
every city not forming part of the metropolitan area.
15.
The
democratic
structure
and
processes
are
further enhanced by the constitutional provisions on
social justice and human rights, protection of labor,
women
and children and the strengthening of local
autonomy
The Local
of the local government units (LGUs).
Government Code of 1991 devolves the
responsibility and budget for the delivery of basic
services in agriculture, health, social welfare and
development, public works, environment and natural
resources to the LGUs.
16.
At sub-national
levels,
governance
is assumed
by the local LGUs in each administrative area, i.e.
province, city, municipality and barangay. Each local
government office is composed of both elective and
appointive officials. The elective officials include the
head and vice-head in each administrative area, i.e.
governor and vice-governor for the province, mayor
and vice-mayor for the city and municipality, and
chairman for the barangay; and as members of the
councils, i.e. Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial
Council), Sangguniang Panlunsod (City Council) and
Sangguniang Barangay (Village Council).
17. Legislative power at the sub-national levels is
vested in the Sanggunian (Council) at each level. Each
local government unit has a development council
which assists the Sanggunian (Council) in formulating
their respective comprehensive and multi-sectoral
development plans.
C. Social and economic
18. The annual
conditions
per capita Gross
Domestic
(GDP) was estimated at US$ 1,026
nominal prices and exchange rate.
Product
using
2004
of growth
which
expanded
at an
average
21. The agriculture sector grew at an average of 4.05
per cent over the period 2001-2004.
22.
The
industry
sector
experienced
sluggish
growth at a mere 3.4 per cent in 2001-2004.
Growth has been limited by the large cuts in public
construction to contro! the deficit as well as the
difficulties of some
manufacturing
industries to
keep up with global market. Moreover, the increase
in foreign investments was minimal, from US$ 1.43
billion in 2002 to US$ 1.49 billion in 2003. The low
foreign direct investments resulted from investor
preference for China, weakening investor confidence
due to concerns about fiscal sustainability, peace
and order problems, and a weak infrastructure/
logistics system.
23. Unemployment remained high at 10.9 per cent
in October 2004 notwithstanding the 3.2 million jobs
aenerated from 2001 to 2004. From January to July
2004, the average unemployment rate was 12 per
cent as the number of jobs generated had not been
adequate to absorb the influx of labor entrants.
24. Underemployment was a more serious problem
since its magnitude was higher than that of the
unemployment rate, Underemployment rate was 16.9
per cent in October 2004 of which 61 per cent was in
the rural areas (NSCB, 2004). The seasonal nature of
farm employment prompted workers to want more
labor hours.
19. The Philippine economy grew despite adverse
effects of international shockers. These included the
11 September 2001 bombing in New York, the Severe
25. The
fiscal
deficit emerged
as the
major
macroeconomic problem. The consolidated public
sector deficit is 5.52 per cent of GDP while the
Acute
United
Government deficit surged to 3.8 per cent of GDP
in 2004, Consequently, the rising deficit pushed the
Filipino
public sector debt to 101 per cent of GDP by 2003.
slowed
Respiratory
down
States-Iraq
Syndrome
the tourism
war, which
(SARS)
industry,
dislocated
scare,
and
the
overseas
which
workers in the Middle East.
20. The country’s real Gross National Product (GNP)
from 2001 to 2004 expanded at an average of 5.05
64
carp ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
26. The Government provides social services in
the areas of health, nutrition, education, housing,
safe water supply and sanitation. Basic services for