The laws of the first Philippine Republic (the laws of Malolos) 1898-1899. / Compiled & edited by Sulpicio Guevara.

THE MALOLOS CONSTITUTION

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TITLE IX
THE SECRETARIES OF GOVERNMENT
Art. 73. The Council of Government is composed of one President
and seven Secretaries, each of whom shall have under his charge the
portfolios of Foreign Relations, Interior, Finance, War and Marine,
Public Education, Communications and Public Works, and Agriculture,
Industry and Commerce.
Art. 74. All the acts done by the President of the Republic in
the discharge of his duties shall be signed by the corresponding Seeretary. No public official shall give official recognition to any act
unless this requisite is complied with.
Art. 75. The Secretaries of Government are jointly responsible to
the Assembly for the general administration of the Government, and
individually for their respective personal acts.
Art. 76. In order to exempt them from responsibility, when held
guilty by the Assembly, a petition to this effect approved by absolute
majority of the Representatives is necessary.
TITLE X
THE JUDICIAL POWER
Art. 77. To the Court corresponds exclusively the power to apply
the laws, in the name of the Nation, in all civil and criminal trials.
The same codes of laws shall be applied throughout the Republic,
without prejudice to certain variations according to circumstances as
determined by law.
In all trials, civil, criminal, and administrative, all citizens shall
be governed by one code of laws of procedure.
Art. 78. The courts of justice shall not apply general local regulations, except when they conform to the laws.
Art. 79. The exercise of judicial power shall be vested in one
Supreme Court and in other courts established by law.
Their composition, organization, and other attributes shall be determined by the laws creating them.
Art. 80. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the SolicitorGeneral shall be chosen by the National Assembly in concurrence with
the President of the Republic and the Secretaries of the Government,
and shall be absolutely independent of the Legislative and Executive
Powers.
Art. 81. Any citizen may file suit against any member exercising
the Judicial Power for any crime committed by them in the discharge
of their office.