Page:British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 144 (1952).djvu/343

 penalised for crimes committed in the exercise of their functions, it shall be necessary that they have served at least one third of the penalty imposed on them by the courts.

(l) To receive diplomatic representatives and accept consular agents of other nations.

(m) As their supreme head, to direct the armed forces of the Republic.

(n) To provide for defence of the national territory and preservation of internal order, making report to Congress. Whenever there is any danger of invasion, or when any rebellion seriously threatens the public security, and Congress is not in session, the President shall call it without delay for such resolution as may be proper.

(o) To execute and see to the execution of all rules, orders and provisions resolved upon and issued by the Superior Electoral Court.

(p) Freely to appoint and remove members of the Cabinet, reporting such action to Congress; to replace them when proper in accordance with this Constitution, and to subscribe those resolutions of the Cabinet that require it.

(q) To exercise the other functions expressly conferred on him by the Constitution and by law.

143. All decrees, orders and resolutions of the President of the Republic must be countersigned by the corresponding Minister, failing which they shall lack binding force. In the case of appointment of members of the Cabinet this countersignature shall not be necessary.

144. The President cannot leave the territory of the Republic without authority from Congress.

145. The President shall be responsible, before the full bench of the Supreme Court, for any common crimes that hecommits during the exercise of his office, but he cannot be indicted without prior authorisation from the Senate, resolved on by affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members. In this case, the Court shall decide whether it is proper to suspend him until sentence is pronounced.

146. The President shall receive from the Nation a compensation that can be changed at any time; but this change shall be effective only in the presidential periods following that in which it is resolved on.