Legislative Powers Explained: Senate, House of Representatives Roles

Legislative Power[edit]
The legislative power is vested in the Congress of the Philippines which consists of the Senate of the Philippines Senate
and House of Representatives. The upper house is located in Pasay City, while the lower house is located in Quezon
City. Both are in Metro Manila. The district and sectoral representatives are elected for a term of three years. They can
be re-elected but they may not run for a fourth consecutive term.
Senators are elected to a term of six years. They can be re-elected but may not run for a third consecutive term. The
House of Representatives may opt to pass for a vacancy of a legislative seat, which leads to a special election. The
winner of the special election will serve the unfinished term of the previous district representative, and will be considered
as one elective term. The same rule also applies in the Senate, however it only applies if the seat was vacated before a
regular legislative election.
The current President of the Senate is Vicente Sotto, III, while the current Speaker of the House of Representatives is
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Legislative Power:
National Government
 Senate
 House of Representatives
Local Government
 Sangguniang Panlalawigan
 Regional Legislative Assembly
 Sangguniang Panlungsod
 Sangguniang Bayan
 Sangguniang Barangay
History of the Senate

The legislature in any society performs the important function of deliberating policies for the people and passing them in the form of statutes. Although the
Philippine Legislature was organized only in 1916, it had deep roots in the past.
Long before the Spanish rulers came to the Philippines, the people in their barangays were already governed by a set of rules by their chief. Over the long
span of Spanish and American rule, various forms of legislative structures were set up to perpetuate the colonial rulers’ desire to rule the country.
Senator Vicente C. Sotto III

Senate President
Senate Office: Rm. 603 & 24 (New Wing 5/F)

GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Diokno Blvd., Pasay City
Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. 6501 to 6505
Direct Lines: (632) 659-5259 (Admin)/ (632) 804-0270 (Legis)
Telefax No.: (632) 552-6601 loc. 6501
Email: os_sotto@yahoo.com
Website:
Senator Ralph G. Recto

Senate President Pro-Tempore

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. 8543 / 8546 / 8612 / 8626
Direct Line: (632) 659-5756
Telefax No.: (632) 659-5766
Email: ralphgrecto@gmail.com
Website: www.ralphrecto.ph
Facebook: www.facebook.com/senralphrecto
Scribd: www.scribd.com/ralphgrecto
Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri

Majority Leader

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local no. 5565
Email: migszubiri2016@yahoo.com.ph
Facebook: www.facebook.com/migzzubiri
Senator Franklin M. Drilon

Minority Leader

Direct Lines: (632) 659-5841 / (632) 659-7479
Telefax No.: (632) 659-5581
Email: os_frankdrilon@yahoo.com
Senator Sonny M. Angara
Senate Office: Rm. 521-A 5/F GSIS Bldg.,

Financial Center, Diokno Blvd., Pasay City
Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. 5570 / 5572
Direct Line: (632) 552-6779
Telefax: No.: (632) 552-6852
Email: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com
Website: www.sonnyangara.com
Social Media:
• Twitter: @sonnyangara
• Instagram: @sonnyangara
• Facebook: fb.com/sonnyangara
Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV

Assistant Minority Leader

Trunk Lines: (632) 552 6601 local nos. 6512 / 8623
Direct Line: (632) 552-6747
Telefax No: (632) 552 6601 local no. 6518
Email: team.bamaquino@senado.ph
Social Media Accounts:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenignoBamAquino
Twitter: @bamaquino
Instagram: @bamaquino, @teambamaquino
Scribd: www.scribd.com/teambamaquino
Slideshare: www.slideshare.com/teambamaquino
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/teambam
Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Sombillo Binay

Direct Line: (632) 502-9477
Email: binaynancy2013@yahoo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SenatorNancyBinay
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SenatorBinay (@SenatorBinay)
Instagram: (@SenatorNancyBinay)
Senator Alan Peter "Compañero" S. Cayetano*
Email: alanpetercayetano.media@gmail.com /senalanpetercayetano1028@gmail.com / senainvits

@gmail.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/alanpetercayetano
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/alanpcayetano
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alanpetercayetano/
Website: www.alanpetercayetano.com
*Member of the 17th Congress until May 17, 2017
Senator Leila De Lima

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. 5750 / (Rm. 16) 8619
Direct Lines: (Rm. 502) 807-8489 / (Rm. 16) 807-8580
Email: senleilamdelima@gmail.com
Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito

Direct Lines: (632) 552-6748 / (632) 586-4882
Email: jvejercito@me.com
Website: www.jvejercito.com
Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. 6537 / 6540 / 8610
Direct Line: (632) 833-5034
Telefax No.: (632) 833-8765
Email: sen.escudero@gmail.com
Website: www.chizescudero.com
Twitter: @SayChiz; @ChizNewsAlert
Instagram: @ChizNewsAlert
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. __
Email: email@wingatchalian.com
Web site: www.wingatchalian.com
Twitter: @WinGatchalian74
Facebook: Win Gatchalian
Senator Richard J. Gordon

Trunk line: (632) 552-6776 local nos. 5760-62
E-mail: senatorrichardgordon@gmail.com
Social Media Accounts:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/senatorgordon
Twitter: @DickGordonDG
Website: www.dickgordon.ph
Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. 5531 to 5533 / 5580
Telefax No.: (632) 551-0525
Email: piu0720@yahoo.com, gringobhonasan@gmail.com
Website: www.gringohonasan.ph
Senator Risa Hontiveros

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. (Rm. 9) 8603 / (Rm. 527) 5780-82
Email: risahq@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/hontiverosrisa
Twitter: @risahontiveros
Senator Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson
Senate Office: Room 602 (Extension at Room 17, New Wing, 5/F), GSIS Bldg.,
Financial Center, Diokno Blvd., Pasay City
Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. 5790, 8617
Website: www.pinglacson.net
Email: ospml@yahoo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SenatorPingLacson
Twitter: @SenatorLacson
Instagram: @SenatorPingLacson
YouTube: @SenatorPingLacson
Google+ :@OfficeOfSenPingLacson
Senator Loren B. Legarda
Senate Office: Rm. 209-210 & 12 (New Wing 5/F)

Direct Lines: (632) 833-1606 / (632) 833-1434
Telefax No.: (632) 833-4987
Email: loren@lorenlegarda.com.ph, appointments@osl.ph
Website: www.lorenlegarda.com.ph
Senator Emmanuel "Manny" D. Pacquiao

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. 5701-5702
Direct Lines: (632) 552-6686 / (632) 552-6685
Email: sen.edpacquiao@gmail.com
Website: www.mannypacquiao.com.ph
Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. (Rm. 4) 8604 / (Rm. 516) 5770-72
Email: kiko@kikopangilinan.com, kikopangilinan@gmail.com
Website: www.kikopangilinan.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kiko.pangilinan.fanpage
Twitter: @kikopangilinan & @TeamKikoPh
Instagram: @kiko.pangilinan
Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III
Senate Office: Rm. 606-609 & 1 (New Wing 5/F)

Direct Line: (632) 822-9758
Telefax No.: (632) 822-9759
Email: kokopimenteloffice@yahoo.com
Website: www.kokopimentel.org
Senator Grace L. Poe

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. nos. 8655 / 8656 / 8607
Telefax No.: (632) 552-6790
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sengracepoe
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sengracepoe or @sengracepoe
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sengracepoe or @sengracepoe
Website: www.gracepoe.ph
Email: gracepoe2013@gmail.com
Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 local nos. 5666 / 5667
Direct Line: (632) 833-6257
Telefax No.: (632) 833-2927
Email: senateoffice@trillanes.com.ph /senate.office.trillanes@gmail.com
Website: www.trillanes.com.ph
Senator Joel Villanueva

Email: senatorvillanuevajoel@gmail.com
Website: www.joelvillanueva.ph
Senator Cynthia A. Villar
Senate Office: Rm. 503

Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 local nos. 6508 to 6511
Direct Line: (632) 552-6715
Telefax No.: (632) 552-6734
Email: sencynthiavillar@gmail.com
Website: www.cynthiavillar.com.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Senator.Cynthia.Villar
Twitter: @cynthia_villar
Composition of the Senate
Qualifications to Become Senators
Organization of the Senate
The Senate Proper
The Officers of the Senate
The Senate Committees
The Secretariat
The Senate Secretary
The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms
Article VI, Section 2 of the Constitution provides:
The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of
the Philippines, as may be provided by law.
It is worthy to note that the composition of the Senate is smaller in number as compared to the House of
Representatives. The members of this chamber are elected at large by the entire electorate. The rationale for this
rule intends to make the Senate a training ground for national leaders and possibly a springboard for the presidency.
It follows also that the Senator, having a national rather than only a district constituency, will have a broader
outlook of the problems of the country, instead of being restricted by narrow viewpoints and interests. With such
perspective, the Senate is likely to be more circumspect, or at least less impulsive, than the House of
Representatives.
Qualifications to Become Senators
The qualifications for membership in the Senate are expressly stated in Section 3, Art. VI of the Constitution as
follows:
No person shall be a Senator unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, and on the day of the
election, is at least thirty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the
Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election.
It is worthy to note that the age is fixed at 35 and must be possessed on the day of the elections, that is, when
the polls are opened and the votes cast, and not on the day of the proclamation of the winners by the board of
canvassers.
With regard to the residence requirement, it was ruled in the case of Lim v. Pelaez that it must be the place
where one habitually resides and to which he, after absence, has the intention of returning.
The enumeration laid down by the Constitution is exclusive under the Latin principle of expressio unius est
exclusio alterius. This means that Congress cannot anymore add additional qualifications other than those provided
by the Constitution.
Organization of the Senate
Under the Constitution, “Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session...”.
During this time, the Senate is organized to elect its officers. Specifically, the Constitution provides a definite statement, to
wit:
The Senate shall elect its President and the House of Representatives its Speaker by a majority vote of all its respective
members.
Each House shall choose such other officers as it may deem necessary.
xxx
(3) Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings ...
By virtue of these provisions of the Constitution, the Senate adopts its own rules, otherwise known as the “Rules of the
Senate.” The Rules of the Senate provide the following officers: a President, a President Pro Tempore, a Secretary and a
Sergeant-at-Arms.
Following this set of officers, the Senate as an institution can then be grouped into the Senate Proper and the Secretariat.
The former belongs exclusively to the members of the Senate as well as its committees, while the latter renders support
services to the members of the Senate.
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The Senate Proper
A. The Officers of the Senate
1. The Senate President
Widely regarded as the most powerful figure in the Senate, the Senate President is the presiding officer of the Senate as
well as the leader of the majority group. Under the Constitution, the Senate President is regarded as third in line of
succession, after the President and Vice-President.
Under Section 3 of Rule III of the Rules of the Senate, the Senate President is the Chief Executive of the Senate. His
duties and powers are as follows:
(a) To preside over the sessions of the Senate on the days and at the hours designated by it; to call the Senate to order and,
if there is a quorum, to order the reading of the Journal of the preceding session and, after the Senate shall have acted upon
it, to dispose of the matters appearing in the Order of Business in accordance with the Rules;
(b) To decide all points of order;
(c) To sign all measures, memorials, joint and concurrent resolutions; issue warrants, orders of arrest, subpoena and
subpoena duces tecum;
(d) To see to it that all resolutions of the Senate are complied with;
(e) To have general control over the session hall, the antechambers, corridors and offices of the Senate;
(f) To maintain order in the session hall, the antechambers, corridors and in the offices of the Senate, and whenever there is
disorder, to take appropriate measures to quell it;
(g) To designate an Acting Sergeant-at-Arms, if the Sergeant-at-Arms resigns, is replaced or becomes incapacitated;
(h) To appoint the subordinate personnel of the Senate in conformity with the provisions of the General Appropriations Act;
(i) To dismiss any employee for cause, which dismissal in the case of permanent and classified employees shall be in
conformity with the Civil Service Law; and
(j) To diminish or increase the number of authorized personnel by consolidating or separating positions or items whenever the
General Appropriations Act so authorizes and the total amount of salaries or allocations does not exceed the amount
earmarked therein.
2. The Senate President Pro Tempore
Like the President of the Senate, the Senate President Pro Tempore is also elected by the members of the Senate. In the
U.S., by custom, he is the most senior member of the majority party. Although it is not exclusively followed here, for
sometime in the past Senates, senior members of the majority party are often elected as Senate President Pro Tempore.
Under Section 4 of Rule IV of the Rules of the Senate, the President Pro Tempore shall discharge the powers and duties of
the President in the following cases:
(a) When the President is absent for one or more days;
(b) When the President is temporarily incapacitated; and
(c) In the event of the resignation, removal, death or absolute incapacity of the President.
3. The Majority Leader
In the modern Senate, the second in command is the majority leader, whose primary responsibility is to manage the
legislative affairs of the chamber. While nothing in the Rules of the Senate expressly states the powers of the Majority Leader,
to a great extent, he is very influential in the passage of bills. As the traditional Chairman of the Committee on Rules, the
Majority Leader helps formulate, promote, negotiate and defend the majority’s legislative program, particularly on the floor.
4. The Minority Leader
The minority group chooses from among themselves the Minority Leader who is considered as the titular head of the
minority in the Senate and oftentimes called a “shadow president.”
In many past rigodons of the Senate or the so-called Senate “coups,” sometimes the minority leader becomes the
President and the ousted President becomes the minority leader.
The basic duties of the Minority Leader is that he becomes the spokesman for his party or group or coalition and
enunciates its policies. He is expected to be alert and vigilant in defense of the minority’s rights. It is his function and duty to
criticize constructively the policies and programs of the majority, and to this end employ parliamentary tactics and give close
attention to all proposed legislation.
The Rules of the Senate gives the President Pro Tempore and the Majority and Minority Leaders unique privileges as all
are ex-officio members of all the permanent committees of the Senate.
B. The Senate Committees
At the core of Congress’ lawmaking, investigative and oversight functions lies the committee system. This is so because
much of the business of Congress, it has been well said, is done in the committee. Specific problems, whether local or
national in scope, are initially brought to the forum of congressional committees where they are subjected to rigid and
thorough discussions.
Congressional hearings and investigations on matters dealing with every field of legislative concern have frequently been
conducted by congressional committees.
To a large extent, therefore, the committee system plays a very significant role in the legislative process. Congressional
responses and actions vis-a-vis growing national problems and concerns have considerably relied upon the efficiency and
effectiveness of the committee structure, system and expertise. As pointed out by Woodrow Wilson regarding the important
roles played by different committees of Congress:
The House sits, not for serious discussion, but to sanction the conclusions of the Committees as rapidly as possible. It
legislates in its committee rooms; not by the deliberation of majorities, but by the resolutions of specially-commissioned
minorities; so that it is not far from the truth to say that Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition, while Congress
in its committee rooms is Congress at work.
On the other hand, the merits of Polsby’s view with regard to the importance of the committee system can be well
considered:
Any proposal that weakens the capabilities of congressional committees weakens Congress. Congressional committees
are the listening posts of Congress. They accumulate knowledge about the performance of governmental agencies and about
the effects of governmental programs and performance on private citizens. They provide incentives to members of Congress
to involve themselves in the detailed understanding of governmental functioning. They provide a basis - virtually the only well
institutionalized basis in the House of Representatives - for understanding and for influencing public policy.
The present committee system in the Senate has by far been the product of strong years of Philippine legislative
experience. It draws its strength from the inherent functions it is mandated to perform, i.e., to assist the Congress in coming
up with well studied legislative policy enactments. Yet the complexity of problems that our country is currently facing and the
growing needs and demands of our people for a more assertive role on the part of Congress cannot but require us to assess
the effectiveness as well as the responsiveness of the congressional committee structure and system. In order to survive and
meet the challenges, Congress must adjust to external demands and cope with internal stresses. It must be pointed out that
social, economic, and political developments generate demands that the legislature pass legislation or take other action to
meet constitutional and public expectations concerning the general welfare. The continuing rise of unemployment, poverty,
economic depression, scandals, crises and calamities of various kinds, energy problem and accelerating technological
innovations, all intensify pressures upon Congress. Political or governmental shifts, aggressive presidential leadership, partisan
realignments, and momentous and controversial Supreme Court rulings, among other things, also drive the congressional
workload.
However, the effects of external demands create interpersonal stresses within Congress, and in the Senate in particular.
For instance, a ballooning workload (external demand) of some committees has caused personal or committee scrambles for
jurisdiction (internal stress). Other tensions that may be considered range from the growth in the member-ship of various
committees, jurisdictional disputes among several committees, shifts in its personnel, factional disputes and members’ shifting
attitudes or norms. Such conflicts surface in recurrent debates over pay, requisites, committee jurisdictions, rules scheduling,
and budgetary procedures which necessitate the call for an assessment of the present structure of the Senate Committee
System.
The present committee structure of the Senate is composed of 36 standing committees and five ad hoc and oversight
committees. These standing committees with their respective jurisdictions are as follows:
Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to, including investigation of, malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance in office by officers
and employees of the government, its branches, agencies, subdivisions and instrumentalities; implementation of the provision
of the Constitution on nepotism; and investigation of any matter of public interest on its own initiative or brought to its
attention by any member of the Senate.
Committee on Accounts
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the auditing and adjustment of all accounts chargeable against the funds for the expenses
and activities of the Senate.
Committee on Agrarian Reform
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to agrarian reform, landed estates, and implementation of the agrarian land reform provisions
of the Constitution.
Committee on Agriculture and Food
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to agriculture, food production and agri-business, including agricultural experimental stations,
agricultural economics and research; soil survey and conservation; agricultural education; technical extension services; animal
husbandry; livestock quarantine; agricultural support price; and fisheries and aquatic resources.
Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to banks, financial institutions, government and private currencies, capital markets, mutual
funds, securitization, coinage and circulation of money.
Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the Civil Service and the status of officers and employees of the government including their
appointment, discipline, retirement; their compensation privileges, benefits and incentives; implementation of the
constitutional provisions on the rights of government workers to form and join labor organizations; public sector labor-
management relations and collective negotiation agreements; reorganization of the government or any of its branches,
agencies, subdivisions or instrumentalities; all human resource development programs pertaining to the government; and all
other matters relating to the bureaucracy.
Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws
Jurisdiction: All matters proposing amendments to the Constitution of the Philippines and the compilation and revision of
existing codes and laws; election laws and implementation of constitutional provisions on initiative and referendum on
legislative acts; recall of elective officials; the role and rights of people’s organizations; and sectoral or party-list
representation.
Committee on Cooperatives
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cooperatives, both urban and rural-based, including but not limited to farm credit and farm
security, cooperative movements, marketing and consumers’ organizations; and the implementation of the Cooperative Code
of the Philippines.
Committee on Cultural Communities
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cultural communities.
Committee on Economic Affairs
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to economic planning and programming; the planning of domestic and foreign indebtedness;
general economic development; and coordination, regulation and diversification of industry and investments.
Committee on Education, Arts and Culture
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to education, schools, colleges, universities; implementation of the provisions of the
Constitution regarding the establishment of free public elementary and secondary education, scholarship grants, subsidies and
incentives to deserving students; non-formal, informal, indigenous learning systems, and adult education; the preservation,
enrichment and evolution of Filipino arts and culture; establishment and maintenance of libraries, museums, shrines,
monuments, and other historical sites and edifices; training programs and cultural and artistic programs of international
institutions and organizations operating in the Philippines, such as the UNESCO; and special commemorative events such as
the observance of the centennial of Philippine Independence.
Committee on Energy
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the exploration, exploitation, development, extraction, importation, refining, transport,
marketing, distribution, conservation, or storage of all forms of energy products and resources such as from fossil fuels like
petroleum, coal, natural gas and gas liquids, nuclear fuel resources; geothermal resources and non-conventional, existing and
potential forms of energy resources; and generation, transmission and distribution of electric power.
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the conservation and protection of the environment, the regulation of the impact of human
activities on the same, the promotion of environmental awareness of our citizens, the renewal of resources in damaged
ecosystems and other environment-related issues; and all matters relating to the administration, management, development,
protection, exploration, storage, renewal, regulation and licensing, and wise utilization of the country’s national reserves
including, but not limited to forest, mineral, public land, off-shore areas and the development of industries based on these
resources.
Committee on Ethics and Privileges
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the conduct, rights, privileges, safety, dignity, integrity and reputation of the Senate and
its Members.
Committee on Finance
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to funds for the expenditures of the National Government and for the payment of public
indebtedness; auditing of accounts and expenditures of the National Government; claims against the government; inter-
governmental revenue sharing; and, in general, all matters relating to public expenditures.
Committee on Foreign Relations
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the relations of the Philippines with other nations generally; diplomatic and consular
services; the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; the United Nations Organization and its agencies; multilateral
organizations; all international agreements, obligations and contracts; and overseas Filipinos.
Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to games and amusement, such as lotteries, jai-alai, horse racing, dog racing, wrestling,
boxing, basketball and all other sports, as well as matters relating to amateur sports development.
Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises

Jurisdiction: All questions affecting government corporations, including all amendments to their charters; the interests of the
government in the different industrial and commercial enterprises; and privatization.
Committee on Health and Demography
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to public health in general, medical, hospital and quarantine services; population issues,
concerns, policies and programs affecting individuals and their families, their effects on national, social and economic
conditions.
Committee on Justice and Human Rights
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the organization and administration of justice, civil courts, penitentiaries and reformatory
schools; probation; impeachment proceedings against constitutional officers and other officers legally removable by
impeachment; registration of land titles; immigration and naturalization; the implementation of the provisions of the
Constitution on human rights; and all matters pertaining to the efficiency and reforms in the prosecution service.
Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to labor employment and human resource development; maintenance of industrial peace;
promotion of employer-employee cooperation; labor education, standards and statistics; organization of the labor market
including recruitment, training and placement of workers and exports of human resources; foreign workers in the Philippines;
promotion and development of workers’ organizations; and promotion and development of employment-intensive technology.
Committee on Local Government
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to autonomous regions, provinces, cities, special metropolitan political subdivisions,
municipalities and barangays.
Committee on National Defense and Security
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to national defense and external and internal threats to national security; the Armed Forces
of the Philippines; pension plans and fringe benefits of war veterans and military retirees; citizens army selective service;
forts; arsenals; military bases, reservations and yards; coast, geodetic and meteorological surveys; civil defense; and military
research and development.
Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to peace, internal armed conflict resolution, political negotiation, cessation of hostilities,
amnesty, rebel returnees, integration and development, national unification and reconciliation.
Committee on Public Information and Mass Media
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to public information, mass communication and broadcast services; the implementation of the
provisions of the Constitution regarding ownership and management of mass media and the advertising industry; the
development and promotion of information technology; and all matters relating to the artistic standards and quality of the
motion picture and television industry.
Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to peace and order; the Philippine National Police; the Bureau of Jail Management; the BFP;
private security agencies; the use, sale, acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture and distribution of prohibited and
regulated drugs and other similar substances as provided for under pertinent laws, and the prosecution of offenders,
rehabilitation of drug users and dependents, including the formulation of drug-related policies.
Committee on Public Services
Jurisdiction: All matters affecting public services and utilities; communications; land, air, river and sea transportation including
railroads, inter-island navigation, and lighthouses; and the grant or amendment of legislative franchises.
Committee on Public Works
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to planning, construction, maintenance, improvement and repair of public buildings,
highways, bridges, roads, ports, airports, harbors and parks; drainage, flood control and protection; and irrigation and water
utilities.
Committee on Rules
Jurisdiction: All matters affecting the Rules of the Senate; the calendar as well as parliamentary rules and the order and
manner of transacting business and the creation of committees.
The Chairman of the Committee shall be the Majority Leader of the Senate. The Vice-Chairmen shall be the Assistant Majority
Leaders.
Committee on Science and Technology
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to science and technology, including scientific and technological research, development and
advancement.
Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to rural development and welfare, and the implementation of the provisions of the
Constitution on social justice.
Committee on Tourism
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to tourism and the tourist industry.
Committee on Trade and Commerce
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to domestic and foreign trade and private corporations; patents, copyrights, trade names and
trademarks; standards, weights, measures and designs; quality control; control and stabilization of prices of commodities;
consumer protection; handicraft and cottage industries; and marketing of commodities.
Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to urban land reform, planning, housing, resettlement and urban community development.
Committee on Ways and Means
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to revenue generally; taxes and fees; tariffs; loans and other sources and forms of revenue.
Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the youth, women and family relations.
The Secretariat
The process of legislation, to begin with, has not been merely confined to the enactment of laws or the passage of
legislative proposals or resolutions. Though the latter is considered as its primary function, Congress has likewise performed
other equally important functions, such as those flowing from its investigative and oversight powers.
Essentially, therefore, the process of legislation must be viewed as a dynamic process. Although theoretically associated
with the operation of Congress, the legislative process likewise involves an elaborate network of external relations, linkages
and coordination with other institutions, agencies, organizations and interest groups in society.
It has been said that the legislature is not an isolated institution. As one of the traditional branches of the government,
Congress must continuously interact with both the executive and the judiciary. To gain strength and advantages, it must
establish linkages with the various sectors of society including the academe, media, and other research-oriented groups.
Likewise, to assert a more relevant role, the legislature must always be conscious of its role in checking the excesses of the
administration, in educating the public about the issues of the day, as well as in overseeing the conduct, behavior and
performance of government agencies and officials in the discharge of their official functions.
It is therefore in the context of the above roles and functions of Congress that lawmakers find it extremely necessary to
rely upon their staff and support services who will help them not only in the gathering of needed basic information and
relevant technical data, but also in building feedback mechanism, linkages and ties with the socio-economic and political
environment.
The significant and essential role assumed by legislative support services, moreover, can easily be seen through their
active participation in the different stages of lawmaking. Laws are enacted precisely to respond to or meet with a given
societal problem - both actual and perceived. Legislation is therefore prompted by the necessity to address the needs and
problems in society. Thus, while legislators are charged with the task of making laws, a great deal of ideas, data and tools
necessary in the initiation, formulation and preparation of legislative proposals are gathered and collected through the
assistance and initiative of the legislative staff and support services.
Thus, the nature and form of support service, as far as this is concerned, must indispensably be responsive to the needs
of legislation. The services to be rendered cannot always be routinary and constant but must be flexible in order to adapt,
from time to time, to the ever-changing needs and requirements of the Senate. Of course, there are specific services which
ought to be religiously complied with in accordance with the mandate of our Constitution, such as the preparation of journals
and transcripts. But, to a large extent, support services require a certain degree of procedural flexibility and adaptability,
especially in the technical substance and content of legislation in the Philippine context.
The Senate Secretariat performs all kinds of support services needed by the senators. The nature and form of such
services range from legislative to administrative, financial and security services required not only by the senators themselves
but also by their office staff and employees.
back to top
A. The Senate Secretary
The Senate Secretary, who is elected by the members of the Senate, is the head of the Secretariat. He assists the Senate
President in extending adequate and timely legislative and administrative support to the offices of Senators. He exercises
supervision and control over all the offices of the service units and officers and employees of the Senate Secretariat. He
formulates plans, policies and programs aimed at professionalizing the institution. He is assisted by three (3) Deputy
Secretaries and the Senate Legal Counsel who are separately in-charge of legislation, administration and finance, special
support services, and legal services. For the maintenance of security and order in the Senate, whether in session or not, the
responsibility is lodged in the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.
Offices Under the Office of the Secretary
Among the offices directly under the supervision of the Senate Secretary are the Senate Tax Study and Research Office
(STSRO), the Protocol Office, the Policy Studies Group and the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO).
The STSRO conducts studies and formulates reform proposals on tax-related issues including drafting of the appropriate bill
and estimation of revenue impact, conducts surveys on tax and other fiscal matters, and provides technical assistance during
deliberations on tax proposals. The Office of Protocol takes charge of important external and internal activities of the Senate
that may involve the visits of foreign dignitaries and the members of the Senate in official missions abroad. The LBRMO
coordinates with the House of Representatives and the Department of Budget and Management on the implementation of
General Appropriations Act, reviews the performance of the national government’s revenue collection and expenditure,
assesses the implementation of foreign-assisted projects and locally-funded projects, and responds to queries of agencies,
LGUs and GOCCs on matters within the purview of the Committee on Finance. Other offices also under the direct control of
the Office of the Secretary include the Management Operating and Audit Bureau, EDP-MIS Bureau and the Public Information
and Media Relations Office.
The delivery of legislative support services is directly the responsibility not only of the Senate Secretary but also of the
Deputy Secretary for Legislation.
1. The Deputy Secretary for Legislation
The Office of the Deputy Secretary for Legislation advises and assists the Office of the Secretary and the Senate Proper in
the formulation of legislative policies and programs of the Senate. Headed by a Deputy Secretary and assisted by the
Executive Director for Legislation, it exercises general supervision over all offices and units of the Secretariat that provide
technical, plenary, committee support services, publication and printing, and reference services. It is also responsible for the
provision of legislative services in support of various committee needs, research service, parliamentary counseling, requests
for bill drafting, bill indexing and monitoring and other activities involved in the law-making process. This Office is composed
of five bureaus, namely: the Legislative Technical Affairs Bureau, the Legislative Plenary Affairs Bureau, the Legislative
Reference Bureau, the Senate Publications Bureau and the Committee Affairs Bureau.
Moreover, under Rule VII, Section 9 of the Rules of the Senate, in the temporary absence or incapacity of the Secretary
of the Senate, the Deputy Secretary for Legislation shall act as the Secretary of the Senate.
2. Deputy Secretary for External Affairs

The Deputy Secretary for External Affairs and Relations advises and assists the Senate Secretary in the formulation and
implementation of external affairs and relations policies and programs of the Senate. His office aims to institutionalize an
efficient system of networking and interaction with its external environment such as the executive branch, the academe, the
private sector, NGOs, national and international organizations, the diplomatic corps and parliamentary organizations.
3. The Deputy Secretary for Administration and Financial Services
The Deputy Secretary for Administration and Financial Services advises and assists the Senate Secretary in the
formulation and implementation of administrative and financial policies and programs of the Senate. Assisted by the Executive
Director for Administration, he exercises supervision over the offices and units of the Secretariat that provide administrative,
financial management and general services. Its Administrative Management Bureau assists the Senate management in the
formulation and review of administrative systems and procedures, policy guidelines and regulations, and provides direction
and supervision on the activities involved in human resource management, medical and dental, records management and
mailing and property and procurement services. The Maintenance and General Services Bureau is directly involved in the
maintenance of all the physical facilities of the Senate, which include the buildings and grounds, electrical and
electromechanical equipment, transportation, sound, telephone and other communication systems. The Financial Management
Bureau advises and assists in the formulation and review of financial systems and procedures, policy guidelines and
regulations. It provides direction and supervision in the accounting, budget and cash management, and in the preparation of
reports on funds released to the Senate.
4. The Senate Legal Counsel
The Senate Legal Counsel has the rank of a Deputy Secretary. He is in charge of all the legal issues affecting the Senate
and the Secretariat. Under this office is a Legal Service which advises the Senate Secretariat on all legal issues and concerns.
It drafts and interprets contracts in behalf of the Senate. Moreover, the Legal Service is the one in charge of investigating
offenses committed by certain officers and employees of the Secretariat in violation of Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
B. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms
Like the Secretary of the Senate, the Sergeant-at-Arms is elected by the members of the Senate. His duties and functions
are expressly stated in Rule VI, Section 8 of the Rules of the Senate, to wit:
(a) To keep under his custody the mace of the Senate;
(b) To attend the sessions of the Senate;
(c) To be responsible for the security and maintenance of order in the session hall, antechambers, corridors and offices of the
Senate, whether in session or not, in accordance with the orders of the President or the Secretary;
(d) To execute or serve, personally or through his delegates, the summons which may be issued by the Senate or by the
permanent or special committees or by the President himself;
(e) To be responsible for the strict compliance by his subordinates of their respective duties. He may impose upon them
corrective or disciplinary measures for just cause, including a recommendation to the President of the Senate, through the
Secretary, for their dismissal; and
(f) To recommend to the President, through the Secretary, approval of the uniform to be worn by the personnel assigned to
serve under him in the session hall.
The Sergeant-at-Arms is also assisted by an Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms.
Senate of the Philippines

Senado ng Pilipinas
17th Congress of the Philippines
The Senate of the Philippines (Filipino: Senado ng Pilipinas, also Mataas na Kapulungan ng Pilipinas or "upper
chamber") is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress; the House of
Representatives is the lower house. The Senate is composed of 24 senators who are elected at-large with the country
as one district under plurality-at-large voting.
Senators serve six-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms, with half of the senators elected every three
years to ensure that the Senate is maintained as a continuous body, though staggered. When the Senate was restored
by the 1987 Constitution, the 24 senators who were elected in 1987 served until 1992. In 1992 the 12 candidates for the
Senate obtaining the highest number of votes served until 1998, while the next 12 served until 1995. Thereafter, each
senator elected serves the full six years.
Aside from having its concurrence on every bill in order to be passed for the president's signature to become a law, the
Senate is the only body that can concur with treaties, and can try impeachment cases. The Senate Presidency is
currently held by Tito Sotto.
History
The Senate has its roots in the Philippine Commission of the Insular Government. Under the Philippine Organic Act,
from 1907 to 1916, the Philippine Commission headed by the Governor-General of the Philippines served as the upper
chamber of the Philippine Legislature, with the Philippine Assembly as the elected lower house. At the same time the
governor-general also exercised executive powers.
On August 29, 1916 the United States Congress enacted the Philippine Autonomy Act or popularly known as the "Jones
Law", which created an elected bicameral Philippine Legislature with the Senate as the upper chamberand with
the House of Representatives of the Philippines, previously called the Philippine Assembly, as the lower chamber. The
Governor-General continued to be the head of the executive branch of the Insular Government. Senators then were
elected via senatorial districts via plurality-at-large voting; each district grouped several provinces and each elected two
senators except for "non-Christian" provinces where the Governor-General of the Philippines appointed the senators for
the district.
Future president Manuel L. Quezon, who was then Philippine Resident Commissioner, encouraged future
president Sergio Osmeña, then Speaker of the House, to run for the leadership of the Senate, but Osmeña preferred to
continue leading the lower house. Quezon then ran for the Senate and became Senate President serving for 19 years
(1916–1935).
This setup continued until 1935, when the Philippine Independence Act or the "Tydings–McDuffie Act" was passed by
the U.S. Congress which granted the Filipinos the right to frame their own constitution in preparation for their
independence, wherein they established a unicameral National Assembly of the Philippines, effectively abolishing the
Senate. Not long after the adoption of the 1935 Constitution several amendments began to be proposed. By 1938, the
National Assembly began consideration of these proposals, which included restoring the Senate as the upper chamber
of Congress. The amendment of the 1935 Constitution to have a bicameral legislature was approved in 1940 and
the first biennial elections for the restored upper house was held in November 1941. Instead of the old senatorial
districts, senators were elected via the entire country serving as an at-large district, although still under plurality-at-large
voting, with voters voting up to eight candidates, and the eight candidates with the highest number of votes being
elected. While the Senate from 1916 to 1935 had exclusive confirmation rights over executive appointments, as part of
the compromises that restored the Senate in 1941, the power of confirming executive appointments has been exercised
by a joint Commission on Appointmentscomposed of members of both houses. However, the Senate since its
restoration and the independence of the Philippines in 1946 has the power to ratify treaties.
The Senate finally convened in 1945 and served as the upper chamber of Congress from thereon until the declaration
of martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, which shut down Congress. The Senate was resurrected in 1987
upon the ratification of the 1987 Constitution. However, instead of eight senators being replaced after every election, it
was changed to twelve.
In the Senate, the officers are the Senate President, Senate President pro tempore, Majority Floor Leader, Minority
Floor Leader and the Senate Secretary and the Senate Sergeant at Arms who shall be elected by the Senators from
among the employees and staff of the Senate. Meanwhile, the Senate President, Senate President pro-tempore, the
Majority Floor Leader and the Minority Floor Leader shall be elected by the Senators from among themselves.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Pinay In Action
Senator Pia S. Cayetano stands tall as a champion of women’s rights and staunch advocate of health. The youngest woman
elected in the history of the Philippine Senate, she continues to prove that there is no limit to what Filipino women can achieve.
Armed with the training of a lawyer, discipline of an athlete, and heart of a mother, Senator Pia excelled in her first term as
legislator and was re-elected to a second term in 2010.
In her ten years of public service, she has pushed for the passage of several measures benefitting women, children and the
elderly, while also working to improve public health and social services for the poor and marginalized.
Most recently, Senator Pia worked for the passage of three landmark laws. She sponsored the Reproductive Health Law (RA
10354), which provides women with access to information and health care services to realize their reproductive health rights,
after the bill languished in Congress for 14 years. She also fought for the Sin Tax Reform Act (RA 10351) which generates
additional revenue for the country’s healthcare system, while also discouraging Filipinos from the unhealthy behaviors of
smoking and excessive drinking, and Graphic Health Warning Act (10643), which requires all cigarette packages sold in the
market to bear picture-based warnings on the hazardous effects of smoking.
Her growing list of legislative accomplishments includes the Act Amending the National Health Insurance Act (RA 10606), Foster
Care Act (RA 10165), Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act (RA 10152), Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion
Act (RA 10028), Establishment of Persons with Disability Affairs Office Act (RA 10070), Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA 9994),
Food and Drugs Administration Act (RA 9711), Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality
Medicines Act (RA 9502), National Anti-Rabies Act (RA 9482), and the Environmental Awareness and Education Act (RA 9512),
among others.
As an international parliamentarian, Senator Pia was the first Filipina and Asian in the history of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
(IPU) to be elected president of the Committee of Women Parliamentarians, a position she held from 2008-2010.
Outside the Senate halls, Senator Pia promotes her advocacies through Pinay In Action (women empowerment), Bike for Hope
(environment and healthy lifestyle), and Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation, which helps children with disabilities and special needs.
She actively joins local and international marathons, duathlons, triathlons, and Ironman competitions.
A mother, triathlete, entrepreneur, and public servant, Pia is driven by the same passion that has made her among the country’s
most accomplished leaders. The daughter of the late Senator ‘Compañero’ Rene L. Cayetano has come into her own, making
her mark as the Senate’s ‘Pinay In Action.’
CURRICULUM VITAE
SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO
Educational Background:
1991 Bachelor of Laws, College of Law, University of the Philippines. Graduated
with academic distinction, #7 in her class; Member of the Honor Society, Order
of the Purple Feather
1985 Bachelor of Arts in Economics, School of Economics, University of the

Philippines, Graduated Cum Laude
Government Service:
July 2010 – Present Member, Philippine Senate, 15th Congress
July 2010 – Present Chairperson, Committee on Health and Demography, Senate of the Philippines
Chairperson, Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations, Senate of the

Philippines
Chairperson, , Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Clean Water

Act of 2004
July 2004 - June 2010 Member, Philippine Senate, 13th and 14th Congress,
Nov. 2008 - June 2010 Chairperson, Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural
Development, Senate of the Philippines
July 2004 - Nov. 2008 Chairperson, Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Senate of the
Philippines
Chairperson, Committee on Health and Demography, Senate of the Philippines

Co-Chairperson, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Philippine
Clean Air Act of 1999
Co-Chairperson, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Ecological

Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
Co-Chairperson, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Philippine

Clean Water Act of 2004
July 2004 - July 2007 Assistant Majority Floor Leader, Senate of the Philippines
Inter-Parliamentary Union Positions Held:
April 2008 - April President, Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians Inter-
2010 Parliamentary Union (IPU)
April 2006 – April First Vice President, Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians Inter-
2008 Parliamentary Union (IPU)
April 2005 President, 10th Meeting of Women Parliamentarians

112th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly
Professional/Business Positions Held:
2001 - Present Founder, Maxi Group of Companies - Retailer and Distributor of educational
toys, infant apparel and accessories
2000 General Counsel, Philweb Corporation
1996 - 1999 Legal and Corporate Affairs, Belle Corporation and its affiliates
1992 - 1995 Associate Lawyer, Castillo, Laman Tan, and Pantaleon Law Offices –
Specialized in Corporate Law and Intellectual Property Law
Civic Activities/Positions
Founder, Pinay In Action – provides a venue for women to take on a healthy lifestyle and tools and information to
promote women’s empowerment; organizes annual Bike for Hope
Founder, Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation, Inc. – focuses on operation of babies with cleft lips and projects
involving special children and education of the poor.
Founder, Compañero Rene Cayetano Foundation – provides support to the needy with respect to health, education
and environment concerns and aims to establish a liver center in the Philippines
Spokesperson, Samahan Laban sa Pekeng Gamot
Spokesperson, Philippine Cancer Society
Spokesperson, Universal Birth Registration Project
Member of the Board of Trustees, Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs
Advocate and resource person on maternal health; early childhood care and development; breastfeeding; cervical
and breast cancer; migration of health workers; affordable and quality drugs; anti-violence against women and
children; magna carta of women; environmental awareness; sustainable forest management; climate change; sports,
healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition
Media Activities:
Co-host, Usapang de Kampanilla, DZMM 630khz
Co-host, Ang mga Payo ni Compañero, DZMM
Columnist, Compañero y Compañera, People’s Tonight
Columnist, Baby Magazine and Good Housekeeping
Radio Host, Compañero y Compañera
Publisher of Booklets and Newsletters for mothers
Achievements in Sports:
2013
INTERNATIONAL RACES
3rd place in her age-group, Lisboa International Triathlon, Portugal
1st place in her age-group, Xterra Off-road triathlon, Cebu, Philippines
3rd place, Women’s Category, Pilipinas Akyathlon: The Philippine International Skyrace, Mt. Ugo, Benguet,
Philippines
LOCAL RACES
2nd place, Women’s Category, DurianMan 51.50 Triathlon, Davao City
1st in her age-group, Dipolog Centennial Triathlon, Dipolog City
4th place, 21k-Female Category, Perpetual Help Community Cooperative Anniversary Run, Dumaguete City
Finisher, Condura Skyway Marathon: Run for the Mangroves, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
2012
INTERNATIONAL
Finisher, Ironman 70.3, Cebu, Philippines
2nd place in her age-group, Bintan International Long Distance Triathlon, Indonesia
6th place, Women’s Category, Taitung Long-distance Triathlon, Taiwan
2nd place in her age-group, XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon, Liloan, Cebu, Philippines
1st place in her age-group, ITU International Duathlon, Subic, Philippines
2nd place in her age-group, 5150 Triathlon, Subic, Philippines
Finisher, Stockholm Centennial Marathon, Sweden
2nd place in her age-group, Pilipinas Akyathlon: The Philippine International Skyrace, Mt. Ugo, Benguet,
Philippines
2011
INTERNATIONAL
3rd place in her age-group, Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Camarines Sur, Philippines
Finisher, XTERRA World Championships, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
1st place in her age-group, 1st XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon, Liloan, Cebu
1st place, All Female Category, XTerra Putik Pare 2011, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Finisher, Megatri (long-distance triathlon), Singapore
2010
INTERNATIONAL
Finisher, Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship in Thailand
3rd place in her age-group, Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Camarines Sur, Philippines
Finisher, XTERRA ‘Putik Pare’ Off-Road Duathlon in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines 1st place in her age-
group, ITU-Subic Bay Duathlon Open in Subic, Philippines
2009
INTERNATIONAL
Finisher, Tokyo Marathon
2nd place in her age-group, Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Camarines Sur, Philippines
2008
INTERNATIONAL
Finisher, ING Amsterdam Marathon
Finisher, New York Triathlon
Finisher, Amica Ironman 70.3, Rhode Island
Finisher, Aviva Ironman 70.3 in Singapore
Finisher, ING New York Marathon
2007
INTERNATIONAL
Finisher, Western Australia Ironman
Finisher, ITU Subic International Triathlon, Subic, Philippines
Finisher, Aviva Ironman 70.3 in Singapore
2006
INTERNATIONAL
Finisher, Venice Marathon
Finisher, ING New York Marathon
2005
INTERNATIONAL
Finisher, World Duathlon Championship, Australia
2004
INTERNATIONAL
Series Champion, Ladies Division, Clark Duathlon
Finisher, San Francisco, Chronicle Marathon (USA)
Finisher, San Francisco Marathon
OTHERS
Youngest Member, Philippine National Volleyball Team (at age 17)
Captain, University of the Philippines, Varsity Volleyball Team (at age 18)
Runner, Cyclist, Tri-athlete and Sports enthusiast
Biography
Pag-angat ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Ito ang pangunahing adhikain ni Senador Sonny Angara sa bawat batas na
kaniyang isinusulong.
Sen. Sonny is known as among the most hardworking and productive members of Congress, having sponsored or authored
more than 80 laws in his 14 years as legislator.
Like his parents, former Senate President Edgardo Angara and teacher Gloria Manalang, he values education as a tool to
fight poverty. Sen. Sonny pushed for laws to widen access to education through the passage of the Free College Law, and the
Unified Student Financial Assistance System Act (UNIFAST) to ensure that scholarships go to poor and deserving students. He
is also one of the authors of the Universal Kindergarten Law, the Ladderized Education Act, the Open Learning and Distance
Education Act, Youth Entrepreneurship Act, the law integrating Moro history in the school curriculum, and laws to create
universities in far-flung rural areas.
Sen. Sonny believes that given the right opportunity, Filipinos will have a better quality of life. Thus, he authored laws to
ensure sustainable jobs and decent working conditions: the law creating Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) nationwide,
the JobStart Law and the revised Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) to help ease youth unemployment.
He led the passage of the law that raised workers’ take-home pay, the 13th month pay and other bonuses by lowering and
simplifying income taxes.
He also sponsored the law strengthening the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to provide greater OFW
representation and benefits, the Seafarers Protection Act, and the law that made OFW balikbayan boxes tax-free.
Senator Sonny champions laws that empower women (the Magna Carta of Women), senior citizens (Expanded Senior
Citizens Act), persons with disabilities (Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDs), and the informal sector (Magna
Carta for Workers in the Informal Economy bill).
Moreover, he is advocating for bills that would improve healthcare services in the country—the expansion of the Universal
Healthcare Law to cover free check-ups and laboratory tests, the Healthy Nanay and Bulilit bill (or the First 1,000 Days bill), the
free medicines law, and the free dialysis for the poor bill.
Senator Sonny is actively pushing for greater support for Filipino athletes as he sponsored the law that provided bigger
cash incentives and benefits to winning national athletes, and included athletes with disabilities in the grant of incentives. He is
also the sponsor of laws establishing sports academies and training centers in various cities and municipalities in the country to
hone the skills of young athletes from the provinces.
Sen. Sonny represented Aurora province for three terms in the House of Representatives (2004-2013) before he was elected
senator in 2013. He is proud of having been a part of Aurora province's transformation from a provincial backwater to a growing
tourist, agribusiness and investment destination.
For his achievements, he was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men for government service and legislation
in 2010, and one of the Outstanding Manilans for public service in 2017.
Senator Sonny is a graduate of Xavier School, the London School of Economics, the University of the Philippines College of
Law, and Harvard Law School. He has been a regular newspaper columnist, and a professor of Law. He is the team captain of
the Senate Defenders, the official basketball team of the Senate.
He is happily married to wife Tootsy and they have three children.
Biography
A former youth leader and social entrepreneur, Senator Bam Aquino has 19 laws under his belt and continues to empower
Filipino families through education, entrepreneurship and employment.
His first law - the Go Negosyo Act - supports Filipinos who want to start and grow their own businesses.
Thanks to this law, there are hundreds of Negosyo Centers in different parts of the Philippines to help them Filipinos earn a
living through entrepreneurship.
He has also helped the micro-finance sector and its beneficiaries in pushing for the Micro-Finance Institute NGOs Act. And
ensured financial literacy and entrepreneurship will be taught in our schools through the Youth Entrepreneurship Act.
His most recent law, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, will make tuition and other miscellaneous expenses
free in our State Universities and Colleges, Local Universities and Colleges, and TESDA- accredited Technical Vocational
Institutions.
Sen. Bam was the principal sponsor of this law, making a college education more accessible to Filipinos.
Senator Bam Aquino believes that with the right support and programs, Filipinos will rise above poverty. He continues to work
for - and fight for - prosperity for every Filipino family.
CURRICULUM VITAE
SENATOR, Senate of the Republic of the Philippines
(July 2016 - Present)
Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology
(July 2016- February 2017)
Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Culture and Arts
(July 2013 - June 2016)
Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship
Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth
PRESIDENT, MicroVentures Foundation
(April 2012 – May 2013)
PRESIDENT, MicroVentures Incorporated
(June 2007 – April 2012)
Microventures, Inc. is a social enterprise that engages in poverty alleviation through business development for the
poor. It currently runs the internationally awarded Hapinoy Program with thousands of women micro entrepreneur
members in the Philippine countryside.
PRESIDENT, TAYO Foundation
(March 2006 – February 2013)
The TAYO Foundation oversees the yearly search for the most outstanding youth organizations in the Philippines.
HOST, Start-Up, ABS-CBN News Channel
(November 2008 – August 2009)
Start-Up is a show for budding entrepreneurs on the Philippines' premier news channel.
EDITOR, Young Southeast Asia
Young Southeast Asia is the ASEAN's 40th Anniversary book that focuses on young achievers in the region.
(Published December 2007)
PRESIDENT, Megamobile, Inc.
(September 2006 – February 2008)
Megamobile, Inc. is a mobile solutions provider for small and medium enterprises.
MANAGING DIRECTOR, Microventures, Inc.
(January 2007 – May 2007)
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
National Youth Commission
(February 2003 – February 2006)
COMMISSIONER-AT-LARGE, National Youth Commission
(May 2001 – January 2003)
The National Youth Commission is the chief youth policy-making arm of the Philippine government.
HOST, SME Go! Powered by GoNegosyo, GMA News TV
(2012)
SME Go! is a television show that features stories of inspiring and successful small and medium entrepreneurs in
the Philippines.
HOST, Yspeak, Studio 23, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network
(July 2006 – February 2007)
Yspeak is a youth-oriented debate show on national television.
HOST, Breakfast, Studio 23, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network
(April 2001 – July 2006)
Breakfast at Studio 23 is a youth-oriented morning talk show on national television.
SPECIAL PROJECTS GROUP, ABS-CBN Foundation
(May 1999 to May 2000)
Was involved with rehabilitation centers for abused and neglected children, disaster management and relief
operations, and volunteer recruitment
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Executive Education Program on Public Policy and Leadership
(December 2008)
Ateneo de Manila Law School
(SY 2000 - 2001)
Ateneo de Manila University
Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering,
(1995 - 1999)
Graduated class valedictorian with summa cum laude honors
Ateneo de Manila High School
(1991 - 1995)
Graduated class valedictorian with first honors
Ateneo de Manila Grade School
(1983 - 1991)
Delivered valedictory speech and graduated with first honors
SIGNIFICANT INVOLVEMENTS, AWARDS, ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS ATTENDED
Panelist, “Changing the Game: Innovating Smartly in Organizations and Systems”; Panelist, “Cracking the
Emerging Market Code”
World Economic Forum (2014)
Davos, Switzerland
Manila 40 Under 40 Global Development Leader, 2013
Awarded by Devex
Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Awardee, 2012
Awarded by theJunior Chamber International
Panelist, “Learning from the Frontier”, 2012
World Economic Forum
Davos, Switzerland
Social Entrepreneur of the Year Co-Awardee, 2011
Asia Category
Awarded by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs
Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines, 2010
Social Enterprise and Community Development Category
Awarded by the Philippine Jaycees
Co-Finalist, Ernst and Young, 2010
Entrepreneur of the Year
PLDT Bossing Co-Awardee, 2010
Retail Financing Category Awarded by PLDT
GoNegosyo Inspiring Young Entrepreneur, 2010
Awarded by GoNegosyo
Member of the Board, Coca-Cola Foundation
(September 2007 - May 2013)
Member of the Board, Rags2Riches, Inc.
(September 2007 - May 2013)
Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum, Canada
(June 2006 - present)
A distinction awarded by the World Economic Forum to young achievers from different countries
Member, Asia Society’s Asia 21 Young Leaders Forum, Hong Kong, China
(February 2006 - present)
A forum on various topics affecting the region, composed of young leaders from Asia and the United States
Member of the Board of Trustees, Venture for Fund Raising
(2002 - May 2013)
A Manila-based non-profit engaged in capability and resource-building education for NGOs in the Asian region
Ambassador, Haribon Foundation
(March 2004 to 2006)
Chairman, ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth
Manila, Philippines (August 2003)
Spokesperson, The Children's Hour
(2002 to 2004)
An initiative to raise resources for poor children through personal and institutional donations
President, Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral
University student council of the Ateneo de Manila University
(1998 - 1999)
Jose Rizal Most Outstanding Model Student of the Philippines (1999)
Merit Top Ten College Co-eds (1999)
Founding Member and Constitutional Chairman,
National Union of Catholic Student Councils
An association of student councils and governments of various Catholic universities and colleges in the Philippines
(October 1998)
Biography
Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Sombillo Binay is the chairperson of the Senate Committees on Tourism, Cultural
Communities, and Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development in the ongoing 17th Congress. Sen. Binay is also the co-
chairperson of the Joint Oversight Committee on Tourism. She is one of the vice chairpersons of the Energy Committee and a
member of the Senate Electoral Tribunal.
Sen. Binay remains true to her promise to be the “Nanay de Pamilya” in the Senate. During the 16th Congress, she filed
119 bills and 151 resolutions advocating the interests of women and children, the youth, the elderly, and housing for the poor.
In the same Congress, three of her bills became law: An Act Repealing the Crime of Premature Marriage under Article 251
of the Revised Penal Code (R.A. 10655), Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015 (R.A. 10659), and An Act Expanding the
Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (R.A. 10754). As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice,
Welfare and Rural Development, she sponsored the passage of the Centenarians Act of 2016 (R.A. 10868).
In the ongoing 17th Congress, Sen. Binay co-sponsored the Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017 (SB No. 1305) which
grants 120-day maternity leave to female workers regardless of civil status; as well as The Filipino Sign Language Act (SB No.
1455), which declares the Filipino Sign Language as the National Sign Language of the Filipino Deaf and the Official Sign
Language of the Government in All Transactions with the Deaf.
Other measures that Sen. Binay championed are the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2017 (SB No. 1444); the First 1000 Days of
Life Bill (SB 1145); and the amendment to the Local Government Act providing for permanent positions to tourism officers (SB
1565).
Meet Senator Alan

Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano was only 13 years old when he was first exposed to public service. His father, the late
Senator Renato “Compañero” Cayetano, was then elected Assemblyman representing Taguig, Pateros and Muntinlupa.
Having been raised under the tutelage of his father, a lawyer and a devoted public servant, he took interest in political
science and enrolled at the University of the Philippines in Diliman where he eventually ran and won as a university councilor in
the student council. Then inspired by his father’s preeminent standing as a lawyer, student Alan decided to pursue a degree in
Law at the Ateneo de Manila University where he graduated as Silver Medallist and with a Second Honourable Mention. He was
later admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1998.
It was the late Senator Rene’s values, principles, and dedication to public service that further inspired the young Alan to
follow in his father’s footsteps. Having had the privilege of seeing his father consulting, meeting, and working with people from
all walks of life, it was not difficult for him to decide on a lifetime advocacy and career in public service.
Batang Compañero
At age 22, Alan began his own journey as a public servant even while he was still in law school. He made history in Philippine
politics as the youngest (and number one councilor) in that generation in the then Municipality (now City) of Taguig.
Three years later, he was elected Vice Mayor of Taguig, but his official proclamation took place only 10 days before his
three-year term of office was due to end. It was then when public servant Alan realized that his political detractors would spare
nothing to stop him in his advocacy for good governance. (His 2007 campaign for the senate was subjected to a similar attempt
at depriving him of a political mandate.)
His frustrating and short-lived tenure as vice mayor in 1998 made him decide to seek a mandate to represent the people
of Taguig as a Congressman for the Lone Congressional District of Taguig and Pateros. He won handily.
It did not take long for the country to notice Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano standing up in the halls of Congress debating
with his elders. He was the “Batang Companero” in the opposition. He impressed his peers with his eloquence as a speaker and
with his strong advocacy against graft and corruption in government.
Anti-corruption advocate
As the spokesman of the Impeachment Team that sought to hold President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo liable for stealing,
lying and cheating, Congressman Alan began articulating the need for accountability and transparency in both local and national
government.
As a freshman in the Senate in 2007, his known commitment and uncompromising stance towards graft and corruption
made him an easy choice to chair two major Senate Committees – the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers (more
popularly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee) and the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture. It was under his stewardship
of the Blue Ribbon Committee when the graft-ridden NBN-ZTE deal was first investigated which led to the scrapping of the
multi-million dollar project. He also steered the continuation of the Fertilizer Scam investigation and the Cash-giving Scandal in
Malacañang Palace.
Proponent of People Empowerment
Senator Alan believes that to effectively fight corruption and strive for good governance, Filipinos must be empowered. To
help realize this advocacy, he, as chairman of the Committee on Education, initiated the efforts to make educational loans and
scholarships more responsive and easily accessible to deserving students even as he was steadfast in seeking more funding for
basic and tertiary education, and for better compensation for public school teachers.
Under his stewardship, R.A. 9500, or the University of the Philippines Charter Act of 2008,was passed barely nine
months after he assumed post.
Senator Alan again pursued his advocacy to empower Filipinos. In 2009, as chairman of the Committee on Public Information
and Mass Media, he launched a campaign to make the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act become a law. He is convinced
that once enacted into law, the measure shall provide the people improved access to information on matters of public concern
in line with the mandate of the 1987 Constitution.
He moved closer towards succeeding in his quest for increased transparency and accountability in the government as this
landmark legislation was approved on its 3rd reading and passed in the Senate during the 14th Congress.
Catalyst for a New Paradigm of Transparency and Accountability in Government In the 15th Congress (2010-
2013), Senator Alan assumed the position of the Senate Minority Leader. In his present position of political leadership, Senator
Cayetano has committed himself to lead a responsible opposition, as a catalyst and fiscalizer, in the halls of Senate.
The Minority Floor Leader continues his thrust towards transparency, accountability and good governance as shown in his
filing of and determined push for the passage of the FOI bill, his active participation in the investigations pushing for the
resolution of the poll fraud cases of 2004 and 2007, as well as his articulate and insightful manifestations that clarified points
and ferreted out crucial admissions and information during the impeachment proceedings of then Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The Senate, through Adopted Resolutions No. 46 and 94, commended Senator Cayetano for his efforts as Minority Leader
in championing the cause of orphaned, abandoned children and vulnerable workers, and for his astute inputs in the deliberations
of crucial legislation and resolutions, in the First and Second Sessions of the 15th Congress.
Young Achiever
Senator Alan has always been among the youngest, if not the youngest, in his political sphere:
At 22, Alan was the Youngest Councilor of the country during his time
At 24, Alan was the Youngest
Vice-Mayor of the Municipality (now City) of Taguig
At 27, Alan was the Youngest Representative in the 11th Congress
At 36, Alan was the Youngest “Working” Senator in the 14th Congress
At 37, Alan has been the youngest Chair of the high profile Senate Blue Ribbon Committee
At 39, Alan has been one of the youngest contenders for the Senate Presidency
At 39, Alan is the youngest Minority Leader in the history of the Philippine Senate
At 39, Alan was recognized for his exemplary work in government and public service when he was awarded as one of the
“Top Outstanding Young Men” in 2010.
Senator Leila M. De Lima is one of the staunchest voices in the Philippine human rights and justice fronts.
Having the privilege of working with the country’s top politicians and legal luminaries, Senator De Lima is bringing her 29
years of experience, legal expertise and integrity in the difficult challenge of crafting laws in her first term in the 17th Congress.
Appointed as Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (2008 – 2010), De Lima has energized the country’s premier
human rights body in addressing cases of human rights violations as she led a team of young lawyers and human rights activists
in investigating extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and all forms of human rights violations throughout the country.
As Secretary of the Department of Justice (2010 – 2015), De Lima carried out the President’s directives in resolving
renowned cases, including the prosecution of several prominent figures linked in the misuse of development funds, the murder
of media practitioners in Mindanao, and the dangerous raids of the prison cells for maximum security inmates, subsequently
exposing and ending their luxurious lifestyle.
It was also under her watch as head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking that the Philippines was removed from
the US Human Trafficking Watchlist, paving the way for its long-hoped-for upgrade to Tier 1 status.
De Lima has gained honors from the public and private sectors, bestowing her numerous awards and citations, including
the prestigious MetroBank Foundation Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance in 2010 and the Excellent Public
Servant Award, Defender of People’s Rights, and “Agent of Change” Award in 2010, among many others.
Prior to her appointment to government posts, she has spent much of her career in private practice. She also worked as a
law clerk and secretary for the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (1993 – 1995), legal staff for Supreme Court
Associate Justice Isagani A. Cruz (1986 – 1989), partner for various prestigious law firms (1989 – 2008), and law professor in
Election Law, Business Organizations, Persons and Family Relations, Transportation Law, Statutory Construction (1986 – 1994;
2006 – 2007).
Like her father, Senator De Lima also made strides as one of the most prominent election lawyers in the country, handling
high-profile cases of electoral fraud for national and local candidates.
Elected as 12th senator in 2016, De Lima now sets her eyes on shepherding meaningful policy and structural reforms into
laws intended to improve the country’s criminal justice system, promote human rights, strengthen the rule of law, fighting graft
and corruption, and introducing changes in the Constitution and election laws.
Born in Iriga City, Camarines Sur on the 27th of August 1959, De Lima was educated in Catholic institutions where she
always graduated top of her class. In 1985, she placed 8th in the Bar Examination, bringing pride to her alma mater, San Beda
College, where she earned her law degree and was later on conferred with the Most Outstanding Alumna awards in 2010 and
2011.
The eldest daughter of the late Election Commissioner Vicente B. De Lima and Norma E. Magistrado has two sons, Israel
and Vincent Joshua, and two loving grandchildren, Brandon and Hannah.
Honorable Senator Franklin M. Drilon
Public servant and lawmaker Franklin M. Drilon has been serving Filipinos and the country since 1986.
Upon the opening of the 16th Congress, Drilon was elected, for the fourth time, to the third highest position in the land,
the Senate Presidency – a post he had previously held from April to November 2000, from July 2001 to June 2004, and from
July 2004 to June 2006.
During the 15th Congress, Drilon chaired the Senate Finance Committee and the Joint Congressional Oversight
Committee on Public Expenditures. As chair of both committees, Drilon successfully sponsored the swift passage of the
General Appropriations Act for the years 2011, 2012, and 2013.
He championed major reform measures during the 15th Congress: the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, the law that
synchronized the elections in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao with the May national elections; the resolution
annulling the original voters’ list in the ARMM and allowing the Commission on Elections to conduct a re-registration for a new
one; and the Sin Tax Reform Law, which Drilon especially referred to as an “anti-cancer law.”
Recognizing his exemplary leadership, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) elected him as its President in 2005. From
2006, he was chair of the IPU Committee on Human Rights of Parliamentarians. He is a member of the IPU executive
Committee.
Prior to his stint as senator, Drilon first served as Deputy Minister of Labor and Industrial Relations in 1986 under then
President Corazon C. Aquino. He later became Labor Secretary from 1987 to 1990.
In 1990, he was appointed Justice Secretary, and in 1991, he became Executive Secretary. During the term of President
Fidel Ramos, in 1992 to 1995, he was again appointed as Justice Secretary.
Drilon entered the University of the Philippines in Diliman in 1965 and took up Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He
then enrolled at the UP College of Law in 1969 and placed 3rd in the Bar Examinations. Prior to joining the government, he
was the managing partner of the Angara, Concepcion, Cruz, Regala, and Abello Law Offices.
In 2002, Drilon partnered with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry to build
classrooms using his PDAF. To date, approximately 1,800 classrooms have been constructed at half the cost of the regular
school building program by the government.
Drilon led several clean up drives for the polluted and dying Iloilo River, and allocated funds to build the Iloilo River
Esplanade. At present, he is working on the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center, also his brainchild project. He was
also the pivotal force behind the approval of the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project-Stage II.
Born November 28, 1945 to Cesar M. Drilon, Sr. and Primitiva Magtunao, Drilon’s humble beginnings began in Molo, Iloilo
with his early education in the public school system, when he graduated from the Baluarte Elementary School in 1957, and
high school at UP Iloilo College in 1961.
Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito was born on December 26, 1969 in Manila. He is the son of San Juan City Mayor Guia
Gomez and former President now Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada.
He is a proud alumnus of Xavier School where he completed his elementary and secondary education. He earned his college
degree of AB Political Science at De La Salle University in 1991. Ejercito first entered the political limelight in 2001 when San
Juan residents clamored him to run as mayor. He served as San Juan Mayor for three consecutive terms, from 2001 to 2010.
Under Ejercito's leadership, San Juan was distinguished for its dynamic local government reform and economic boom with an
annual revenue increase of P100 million. From P300 million in 2001, San Juan's revenue increased to P1.2 billion pesos in 2010.
Because of the significant growth, San Juan was converted into a highly urbanized city in June 2007.
Ejercito’s accomplishments as Mayor garnered him several prestigious awards, among them the Ten Outstanding Young Men
(TOYM) award for Public Service and Governance in 2007.
In 2010, Ejercito ran unopposed as Representative for the Lone District of San Juan.
In the 15th Congress, Ejercito was recognized among the 15 Most Outstanding Congressmen. He chaired the House Committee
on Metro Manila Development, and became Vice Chairman of the Committees on Labor and Employment, and Local Government.
Ejercito was also distinguished as the 9th Most Prolific Lawmaker in the 15th Congress, having authored 149 House Bills and
18 House Resolutions, one of which was the Kasambahay Bill. He fought for higher state subsidy for the State Universities and
Colleges and for the reformation of the Sangguniang Kabataan system.
Ejercito was elected Senator during the May 2013 national elections.
In the 16th Congress, Senator JV Ejercito is seeking to legislate landmark reforms on the local housing, economic affairs,
education system, job generation and youth welfare. He has filed 117 Senate Bills and 18 Senate Resolutions. He is Chairman
of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.
Senator Ejercito likes to play golf during his spare time. He is a Commissioned Reserve Officer of the Philippine Marine Corps
with the rank of Major and an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy Class ’88 of Maringal.
Senator JV Ejercito is married to Ma. Hyacinth Lotuaco. He is father to two boys, Julio Jose and Jose Emilio.
Chiz Escudero first came to the attention of the Filipinos when as one of the youngest members of Congress, he stood out
as a charismatic, eloquent speaker with a remarkable facility with the Filipino language. He has risen to prominence when he
led an impeachment drive against then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. His meteoric ascend to politics saw him a senate
seat in 2007.
Chiz was born Francis Joseph Escudero on October 10, 1969. He is the second of the three children of the late Agriculture
Minister and First District Representative of Sorsogon Salvador Escudero and now congressman Evelina Guevara Escudero. He
was educated in the public school system of the University of the Philippines from kindergarten all the way to law school, where
he was a member of the debate team. After passing the Philippine Bar in 1994, Chiz went into practice while at the same time
took on a teaching position as a law professor at the UP College of Law. In 1996, he obtained a Masters degree in International
and Comparative Law at Georgetown Law Center in Washington, D.C.
In 1998 he won his first election as the Representative of the First District of Sorsogon at the age of 28. He was re-elected
two more times during which he served as Assistant Majority Floor Leader and House Minority Floor Leader. In 2007, Chiz took
his oath at the Senate, garnering the second highest number of votes. Once in Senate, he made good of his mandate engaging
in endeavors that fulfill his campaign promise to be the "voice of the people" in the Upper Chamber. One of his first efforts was
to gain tax exemption and additional exemptions for the low-earners. This law is now what is known as RA 9504 (Tax Exemption
for Minimum Wage Earners and Increased Tax Exemptions). He also worked to increase the maximum insurance coverage to
P500,000 for bank deposits (RA 9576). At the helm of the Justice and Human Rights Committee, he is responsible for the
passage of the anti-vagrancy law (RA 10158), RA 10353 (Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act) and RA 9745 (Anti-
Torture Act). In the last 15th Congress, Chiz has a zero backlog in his two committees, Justice and Human Rights and
Environment and Natural Resources, having heard and acted upon all the bills filed before both. He was able to pass creation
of additional 281 courts, an undertaking meant for justice to be served effectively and efficiently especially to those who are in
the countryside.
Chiz was named one of the country’s Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for youth leadership in 2005. In 2007, he was
the only Filipino to be named Asia News Network’s Asia’s Idols. He was honored as one of the world’s Young Global Leaders in
2008 by the World Economic Forum. And in 2012, he received the Rotary Golden Wheel Award in recognition of his contributions
in political governance and the legislative field.
With the fresh mandate given to him in the 16th Congress, Chiz continues to push for extensive legislation on good
governance, education, agriculture, electoral reforms and justice and human rights.
Senator Gregorio B. Honasan was born on March 14, 1948 in Baguio City to Colonel Romeo Honasan and Alice Ballesteros,
a teacher from Sorsogon. His elementary years were spent at San Beda College in Manila where he was a consistent honor
student and accelerated from grade 4 to grade 6, and the Dominican School in Taipei, Taiwan. He graduated with honors at
Don Bosco High School in Mandaluyong and took up Economics at the University of the Philippines. He then went on to the
Philippine Military Academy, where he graduated as “Class Baron,” the recipient of the institution’s highest leadership award.
In 1981, he took up his Masters Degree in Business Management at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), where he
graduated with distinction, in his masteral thesis.
As a solider, he saw action in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and earned a number of medals, awards, decorations and
commendations for gallantry in action including three Distinguished Conduct Stars, Gold Cross medals and Wounded
Personnel Medals sustained in combat. In 1985 he was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men given by the
Philippine Jaycees. In 1986, he was one of the principal players of the EDSA revolution as one of the leaders of the RAM
(Reform the Armed Forces Movement) that broke away from the martial law government. He was awarded the Presidential
Commendation Medal for Government Service by then President Corazon C. Aquino.
He became Senator in 1995, the first truly independent candidate in Philippine political history to win in national elections.
He was re-elected in 2001, and again in 2007.
He is principal author and co-author of, among others, the Clean Air Act of 1999, Clean Water Act, the National Security
Policy, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2009, the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms Law (CARPER). He is shepherding the Freedom of Information Act which he
now refers to as the POGI Bill – People’s Ownership of Government Information Act, the National Mapping and Resource
Authority Law and the Land Use Act. Senator Honasan has also proposed a Mini-Marshall Plan for Mindanao to help jumpstart
economic development, peace and order, and political unity. The proposal will also help end centuries of armed conflict and
terrorism.
Senator Honasan is currently the Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Agrarian Reform, Public Order and Dangerous
Drugs, and Public Information and Mass Media. He likewise chairs three oversight committees, specifically the Congressional
Oversight Committees on Agrarian Reform and Dangerous Drugs, as well as the Joint Oversight Committee on the Human
Security Act. He is Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Local Government, Civil Service and Government
Reorganization, Health and Demography, National Defense and Security, Public Works, Rules, and Amateur Sports
Competitiveness and a member of 19 major permanent committees and ten oversight committees.
Senator Honasan is for God, Country and Family as core principles of citizenship coupled with values of Faith, Hope and
Love. He is a staunch advocate for the environment, social reforms, national security, good governance, education and public
health, youth and sports development recognizing that as a proud sovereign nation our most strategic and precious resource
are our children.
He is married to Jane Umali of Pagsanjan, Laguna, a medical technologist by vocation and an interior designer by
training. They have five children and three grandchildren.
A no-nonsense public servant for more than 40 years, Senator Panfilo Morena "Ping" Lacson has compiled a solid record against
wrongdoing, in line with his personal credo: What is right must be kept right; what is wrong must be set right.
Lacson’s most significant Senate expose involved the Priority Development Assistance Fund (pork barrel). Ten years before the
multibillion-peso scam involving Janet Lim-Napoles surfaced, Lacson detailed in a March 2003 privilege speech the temptations
for officials to pocket taxpayers’ money.
He had his PhP200-million-a-year PDAF allocations returned to the National Treasury, saving government PhP2.4 billion in 12
years.
In the 17th Congress, Lacson authored, sponsored or co-authored key measures including:
* Republic Act 11053: The Anti-Hazing Law of 2018

* Republic Act 10973: Restoring the Subpoena Powers of the PNP-CIDG
* Republic Act 10969: The Free Irrigation Law
* Republic Act 10927: Amending the AMLA to Include Casinos as ‘Covered Persons’
Lacson also authored bills to curb criminality and corruption; and to streamline the bureaucracy, including:
* Senate Bill 40: Budget Reform for Village Empowerment Act of 2016
* Senate Bill 41: which seeks to establish a National ID system
* Senate Bill 42: penalizing a wide range of heinous crimes ranging from drug-related offenses to treason, terrorism and human
trafficking.
* Senate Bill 48: Expanded Anti-Wiretapping Act of 2016
During the 12th to 15th Congresses from 2001 to 2013, Lacson authored, sponsored or co-authored key measures including:
* Anti-Money Laundering Act (RA 9160 as amended by Republic Act 9194)

* Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165)
* Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (RA 9485)
* National Service Training Program Act of 2001 (RA 9163)
* An Act Increasing the Base Pay of the Members of the AFP (RA 9166)
* Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208)
* Anti-Cheating Act of 2007 (RA 9416)
* The Philippine Dental Act of 2007 (RA 9484)
* An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Law on Firearms, Light Weapons and Ammunition (RA 10591)
* the law converting Imus, Cavite from a municipality into a city (RA 10161)
* the law that reapportioned Cotabato into three legislative districts (RA 10177)
Lacson was one of the main authors of the Reproductive Health Act, and the Sin Tax Reform Act. His Senate Bill No. 2783,
which strengthened further the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, is now part of Republic Act No. 10167. Lacson also authored
a key amendment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act.
Before the Senate, Lacson served in the Philippine National Police, heading it from 1999 to 2001. He had 85 percent of resources
go to frontline units, and imposed a 34-inch waistline limit for police officers.
More importantly, Lacson led by example, refusing bribes and declining “rewards” from rescued kidnap-for-ransom victims.
Under Lacson, the PNP – and Lacson – scored very high approval ratings.
Lacson also served as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, coordinating efforts to help victims of Super
Typhoon Yolanda.
For the past three decades, Senator Loren Legarda has dedicated her work to serve the Filipino people, primarily by promoting
the sustainable and equitable use of our natural resources; advancing programs on building community resilience; advocating
for social justice, human rights, peace and cultural diversity; and initiating measures for quality and accessible education, decent
employment and livelihood opportunities.
Topnotch Senator
A three-term Senator, Legarda is the only female who topped the Senate race twice, with more than 15 million and 18.4 million
votes in 1998 and 2007, respectively. She is the only woman to become Senate majority leader.
Loren has authored and sponsored landmark laws such as: the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (RA 9994); the Barangay
Kabuhayan Act (RA 9509); the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (RA 9501); the Agri-Agra Reform Credit
Act (RA 10000); the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (RA 9262); the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710); the Anti-
Child Labor Law (RA 9231); the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) and its expanded version (RA 10364); the Philippine
Ear Research Institute Act (RA 9245); the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009 (RA 9709); the
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Act of 2009 (RA 9711); the Philippine Tropical Fabric Law (RA 9242); the Eid’ul Fitr Holiday
Law (RA 9177); the Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593); the Clean Air Act (RA 8749); the Environmental Awareness Education Act
(RA 9512); the Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513); the Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003); the Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121); the Climate Change Act (RA 9729) and its amendatory law (RA 10174), which provides
for the creation of the People’s Survival Fund, the Kasambahay Law (RA 10361), the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (RA
10533) and the Universal Healthcare Act (RA 10606), among many vital pieces of legislation.
Game-changer for Asia
Amid the increasing risks of a warming world and a changing climate emerges Senator Legarda, a woman development leader
from the Philippines.
She is a game-changer for Asia with a compelling vision of a safer and greener world for all.
Senator Legarda advocates for quality human living harmonious with nature by seeking the path for green growth and
sustainable development for nations, and challenging world leaders to save our home planet and preserve humankind now.
Environmental Champion
As the Philippines’ foremost advocate of green development, Senator Legarda worked for the enactment of laws on
environmental governance like the Clean Air Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, the Climate Change Act and the Philippine
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.
At her own initiative, Senator Legarda has spearheaded an information and education campaign on the science of climate
change, its impact on our everyday lives and how Filipinos can avert and adapt to the changing climate. These short films
include “Ulan sa Tag-Araw: Isang Dokyu-drama Ukol sa Pagbabago ng Klima” (Rains in the Summer: A Documentary Drama on
Climate Change), children’s animation movie “Ligtas Likas”, “Buhos” (Downpour), “Philippine Marine Biodiversity”, and “Antique:
Coral Restoration Program”.
Senator Legarda collaborated with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) in the documentary “Now is
the Time”, which calls on leaders and decision-makers to strive for disaster-resilient development.
Through the greening program she founded, Luntiang Pilipinas (Green Philippines), which has planted two million trees in more
than 500 hectares across the Philippines, Senator Legarda continues to enjoin the participation of stakeholders in pursuing this
environmental advocacy.
For her contribution in protecting the environment and pushing for climate change adaptation policies, the University of the
Philippines (UP) chose Senator Loren Legarda as its 2013 Distinguished Alumna for Environmental Protection and Climate
Change Adaptation.
Global Thinker
The world recognizes the inspiring leadership of Senator Legarda in the global campaign for good environmental governance.
In 2000, the World Economic Forum held in Davos named her as one of the Global Leaders for Tomorrow.
Similarly, the United Nations has also acknowledged Senator Loren Legarda twice. In the year 2001, the United Nations
Environment Programme conferred on her the title of UNEP Laureate and included her in the Global 500 Roll of Honor.
In 2008, the UNISDR appointed her as its Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption for Asia
and the Pacific during the 3rd Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in December 2008 in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia. Along with her appointment as regional champion is the mission to convey an important message to world leaders.
A couple of months before her appointment as champion, in a seeming test of her parliamentary leadership, Senator Loren
Legarda was asked by UNISDR to steer a meeting of parliamentarians in Manila on disaster risk reduction and climate change
adaptation. Leading parliamentarians from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America came to the meeting in October 2008.
Through her able leadership, Loren successfully steered the meeting into a consensus dubbed as the Manila Call for Action by
Parliamentarians which called on parliamentarians of the world to make disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
a national priority and a key consideration in development planning.
Senator Legarda, in her first official country mission as the Asia-Pacific Regional Champion in May 2009, addressed the Bhutan
National Sensitization Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction, encouraging delegates to incorporate disaster risk reduction as an
integral part of their development concept of Gross National Happiness.
At the Second Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Reduction in Geneva in June 2009, Senator Legarda challenged world
leaders with a call for a new brand of politics and governance - the kind that shepherds proactive laws and policies to address
disaster risks. She reiterated this challenge at the 2009 Forum on the Human Impact of Climate Change and at the parliamentary
meeting of the climate change conference in Copenhagen.
In July 2009, Senator Legarda led a UNISDR delegation that sealed an agreement between Maldives and UNISDR to define a
comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategy for the island nation, and find means for the UN and other partners to help the
country implement this strategy.
In November 2010, Senator Legarda convened the Consultative Meeting for Parliamentarians on Disaster Risk Reduction: An
Instrument for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals towards a consensus to undertake concrete actions embodied in
the Manila Call for Action 2010.
Senator Legarda, with the UNISDR, spearheaded international dialogues in Paris, Beijing, Geneva, Copenhagen and Hanoi. She
is a member of the Global Advisory Group of Parliamentarians on Disaster Risk Reduction.
Senator Legarda’s journey on the international level, the prominent role she plays in the Asia-Pacific region, and her advocacy
among world leaders and citizens of the Philippines and the region, are recounted in a book entitled Redefining Development:
The Living Advocacy of Senator Loren Legarda, as she challenges everyone to promote responsible leadership, good governance
and sustainable living.
In the realm of foreign relations, Senator Legarda, who was Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the 15th
Congress, sponsored the approval of 16 international agreements, deepening the Philippines’ bilateral relations with various
countries and promoting the welfare of Filipinos in the country and abroad. These agreements are the RP-Japan Agreement on
Technical Cooperation; the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against
Torture; the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Convention, Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts;
the Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources
Management to Establish the Office of the WorldFish Center in the Philippines; the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)
between the Philippines and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; the MLAT between the Philippines and the
People's Republic of China; the Consular Agreement with the People's Republic of China; the Convention on Social Security
between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Spain; the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement Between the
Philippines and Australia; the International Labour Organization Convention 189 (Convention Concerning Decent Work for
Domestic Workers); the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006; the Protocol Amending the Agreement between the Philippine
Government and the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect
to Taxes on Income; two (2) treaties on the Avoidance of Double Taxation – the Philippines – Kuwait Tax Treaty and the
Philippines- Qatar Tax Treaty and the Agreement between the Philippine Government and the UNESCO to establish the
Southeast Asian Center for Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development (SEA CLLSD) in the country.
On the occasion of the 2015 Paris Climate Summit (the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC) on 30 November 2015,
Senator Legarda was appointed by the UNISDR as Global Champion for Resilience, with the distinguished role of providing
leadership to build the resilience of nations and communities from disasters.
The French Government also recognized Senator Legarda’s commitment to the fight against climate change and to the
promotion of culture and heritage. She was named Chevalier (Knight) in the Ordre national de la légion d’Honneur (National
Order of the French Legion of Honor) for her invaluable contribution in strengthening the bilateral ties between Philippines and
France.
Peacebuilder
Senator Legarda has also contributed to peace efforts. She played a crucial role in the safe and expeditious release of military
and police officers and men who were held captive by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National
Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and journalists who were held captive in Sulu.
For her outstanding work for the cause of Muslims, she was bestowed the title of Bai a labi (Honorary Muslim Princess) by the
Marawi Sultanate league.
Voice of the Indigenous Peoples
Fervently advocating for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and initiating efforts to liberate them from various
forms of discrimination, Senator Legarda has become the voice of Filipinos who continue to embrace their cultural roots and
heritage.
Her love for tropical fabrics and native products, and her visits to indigenous communities in different parts of the country
inspired Loren to initially set-up cultural exhibits that showcased the exceptional skills and world-class products of IPs, and in
2011, in her capacity as Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, successfully organized regional assemblies—
in Baguio City for Luzon IPs, in Iloilo City for Visayas IPs, and in Tagum City, Davao del Norte for Mindanao IPs—and the First
National Indigenous Cultural Summit that served as avenues for dialogue with local and national policy-makers as well as
international institutions.
Senator Legarda supported the development of cultural villages of the Ata-Talaingod, Mandaya, B’laan, and Bagobo Tagabawa
in various activities of their Schools of Living Traditions. She supported the establishment of the country’s first permanent textile
galleries called the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textiles at the National Museum in order to celebrate
indigenous artistry and revitalize our weaving traditions.
In October 2012, she launched the Hibla Pavilion of Textiles and Weaves of the Philippines with the hope of solving one of the
greatest threats to Filipino indigenous artistry – extinction brought about by apathy. The exhibition was a highlight of the Manila
FAME Design and Lifestyle Event 2012 and showcased the rich and colourful heritage of Schools of Living Tradition.
As a sign of gratitude for advancing IP concerns, the cultural communities of Mindanao adopted Senator Legarda as “ Bae
Matumpis,” which means “The one who takes care”.
The Panay-Bukidnon from Visayas declared Senator Legarda as a “daughter of Panay-Bukidnon” and gave her the name “Cuyong
Adlaw Dulpa-an Labaw sa Kadunggan”, which translates to “shining sun rising in power”.
Senator Legarda was also named by the Cordillera Indigenous Elected Women Leaders’ League as “Tukwifi” which means “Bright
Star”.
Women and Children’s Rights Champion

Senator Legarda places special interest in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of women, youth, and children. Her
legislative efforts resulted in the passage of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, Magna Carta of Women, Anti-
Child Labor Law, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and its expanded version, the Expanded Anti- Trafficking in Persons Act.
Apart from her professional work, Loren has taken it upon herself to personally help women and children who have become
victims of unfortunate circumstances, like Joseph Boseto and Rodel Morcozo who were both child miners in Camarines Norte.
Rodel would search for gold and handle mercury-based chemicals with bare hands, while Joseph used to dive to 30 feet in a
narrowly-dug hole filled with murky water with only a pair of goggles to protect his eyes, cotton balls to protect his ears from
air pressure, and a tube connected to a compressor as his oxygen source.
Loren helped them escape from the dangerous world of mining by supporting their education—the same assistance she provided
to Melinda de Vera, who once lived in a wooden cart and helped her mother sell candies in the streets of Paco, Manila.
Joseph, Rodel, and Melinda are only a few of the many individuals who were freed from child labor and given the opportunity
to secure their right to education with the support of Senator Legarda. This opportunity, Loren continues to share with others
through her foundations.
Passionate Advocate
Loren has instituted foundations that would focus on delivering positive results on her various advocacies. She established the
Libro ni Loren Foundation, Inc. to help improve the literacy level in the country’s poorest provinces. The foundation supports
the education of indigent but deserving youth.
She also founded the Bessie Legarda Memorial Foundation, Inc. to provide medical assistance to indigent breast cancer victims
and serve as support group to their families. Likewise, she organized the Livelihood Opportunities to Raise Entrepreneurship
Nationwide (LOREN) which provides capital for women entrepreneurs.
Top Caliber Journalist
Prior to becoming a public official, Loren was well known as the award-winning anchor and producer of two of the Philippines’
most popular and respected news programs.
As a journalist, Loren earned prestigious awards such as the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) from the Philippine Jaycees
(1992), The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Award (1995), and the Benigno Aquino Award for Journalism
(1995) for her sterling record as a journalist for more than two decades, among more than 30 awards.
Passion for Excellence
Loren graduated valedictorian in elementary school and completed her secondary schooling with honors at the Assumption
Convent. She obtained a degree in broadcast communications cum laudefrom the University of the Philippines.
While working as a broadcast journalist, Loren pursued her post-graduate studies at the National Defense College of the
Philippines where she obtained a degree in National Security Administration and graduated at the top of her class. Loren is a
reserve officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Legarda is a lifetime member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, an international organization that promotes academic
excellence and encourages its members to be of service to others.
Family of Public Servants
She was born to a family of newsmen, educators, physicians and public servants. Her paternal great grandfather Potenciano
Cabrera was the first Mayor of San Pablo City, Laguna while her maternal great granduncle Vicente Gella was a Governor of
Antique. Her grandfather, Jose P. Bautista, was a pillar of Philippine journalism.
Loren was born in Malabon and was raised by an Ilocana yaya whom she fondly calls nanay. Her father Antonio Cabrera Legarda
is from San Pablo City, Laguna and her mother Bessie Gella Bautista is from Pandan, Antique. She is a loving and devoted
mother to her two sons.
Senator Grace Poe is the daughter of National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. and veteran actress Susan Roces.
She finished high school at Assumption-Makati, where she excelled in oratorical competitions and was named Captain of
the Assumption Debating Team. She studied at the University of the Philippines (UP) and Boston College in Massachusetts,
where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree major in Political Science.
She made Philippine election history by garnering the highest number of votes of more than 20 million in the May 2013
elections. This overwhelming mandate inspires her to work hard towards her father’s dream of uplifting the lives of the Filipino
people.
As the chairperson of the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, she championed the passage of the Freedom
of Information (FOI) Act, which was approved on third reading by the Senate on March 10. She believes that the attainment of
a just, progressive and lasting peace in the country greatly depends upon the free flow of information to the public.
Sen. Poe is also the first lady senator to serve as chair of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs.
Over the years, she has spent her career standing for the rights of Filipino people. Making sure everyone especially children
has access to quality education and proper nutrition is her major legislative priority that’s why one of the first bills she filed in
the Senate was the Free Lunch Program which seeks to provide free lunch to malnourished children in all public schools
nationwide.
And true to her “showbiz” roots, Poe has also filed a bill promoting Film Tourism that aims to make the Philippines into a
major shooting destination for international films.
As chair of the Movie and Television Regulatory and Classification Board (MTRCB), she advocated “intelligent media
viewership” instead of “censorship” and formulated a new, age-appropriate ratings system designed to empower parents to
exercise caution and vigilance with the viewing habits of their children.
Senator Ralph Gonzalez Recto is an ultimate public servant - educated, dedicated, diplomatic, and honest. His devotion
to family and community, unrelenting desire to make a better life for others, consummate passion for his work, and interactive
leadership style serve as the firm foundation upon which he built a reputation as a young and committed leader whether as a
legislator or a national executive.
His independence makes him an exemplary and notable public official, the catalyst that makes us see through our faults in
his stinging but profound statements. He can never be boxed into a myopic position to the disdain of his critics. He is not o ne
to shun the rough waters of public opinion when he tackles unpopular measures. He faces them head on, but in ways that
disarm the enemy. Whoever initially opposes him is soon converted into an ally.
Family and personal life
Senator Ralph Recto’s political lineage is traced to the late nationalist and statesman Claro Mayo Recto, who was a senator
for several terms and himself a descendant of the patriotic Mayo and Recto clans of Luzon. Senator Ralph Recto is the second
child of three of lawyer Rafael Recto who was an Assemblyman during the Regular Batasang Pambansa and Carmen Gonzalez
Recto whose family hails from Pangasinan.
He is married to Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, father to Ryan Christian and stepfather
to Luis Philippe Manzano.
Education
Senator Recto has completed the coursework and is a candidate for both master's degrees in Public Administration from
the University of the Philippines and in Strategic Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific. He also took
up a Leadership Scholarship Course at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge,
Massachusetts, United States of America. He acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the De La
Salle University-Manila. His elementary years were spent at the Ateneo de Manila University while his High school diploma was
received from the De la Salle University.
In 2009, he was conferred a degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa by the Nueva Ecija University of Science and
Technology.
At the House of Representatives

He holds the distinction of being the youngest elected member of the House of Representatives during the 9th Congress.
He also holds an unprecedented record in the congressional election history of Batangas for winning in all precincts, barangays,
municipalities, together with Lipa City in the 1995 and 1998 elections. He garnered 98% of the votes cast in those two elections
in the 4th District of Batangas.
During his three terms (from 1992 to 2001) as Member of the House of Representatives, his legislative measures enacted
into law mostly dealt with economic reforms and poverty alleviation. Among which are the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation
Act; the Philippine Economic Zone Law; Amendment to the Special Economic Zone Law; the Retail Trade Liberalization Law;
Regional Headquarters Law and the Comprehensive Tax Reform Law.
At the Philippine Senate
Senator Recto was elected to the Senate in 2001, becoming the youngest Senator of the 12th Congress at the age of 37.
In the Senate, he chaired the Committees on Ways and Means and on Trade and Industry.
Senator Recto learned the nuances of lawmaking as one of the youngest legislators in both Houses of Congress. The
diligence he puts into each law that he shepherds continues to draw the respect and admiration from peers including those on
the other side of the political fence. The august halls of Congress have heard his resonant voice that all these years remained
truthful and logical, yet spirited and candid.
Being the youngest Senator of the 12th Congress has not deterred him from ably steering the powerful Ways and Means
committee that has been traditionally assigned to senior Senators. He, likewise, led the unmasking of foreign hands subverting
the work of the Senate and other government offices.
A deep sense of equity and fairness defined his balanced handling and scrutiny of tax measures. In all cases, he assigned
great value on the peoples' needs in the face of contending government and industry concerns. He was also identified with
warning calls on ballooning budget deficits, public debt and unemployment, among other crucial issues.
He was co-chairman of the Congressional Oversight Committees on the Proper Implementation of the National Internal
Revenue Code (NIRC) and on the Official Development Assistance (ODA). Sensitivity to the welfare of government employees
also marked his chairing of the Accounts committee dealing with the Senate budget.
During his six-year term as Senator, he was largely responsible for the passage of laws with positive impact to consumers,
small entrepreneurs, workers and industry.
After the elections of 2007, Senator Recto joined the board of the Union Bank of the Philippines as an Independent Director.
At the National Economic and Development Authority
On July 23, 2008, he was named as the Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority.
As NEDA chief, Recto helped craft and monitor the government’s Economic Resiliency Plan (ERP), which served as the
Philippines’ pump-priming program. The ERP implementation involved the frontloading of government spending during the first
half of 2009 and increased spending for social services and infrastructure. Moreover, he proposed a new economic plan for the
next year initially dubbed as REAP (Reloading Economic Acceleration Plan) to protect the gains made from the ERP and prepare
the country for the anticipated economic rebound. He also set in place a more institutionalized monitoring of global and local
events as they affect the Philippine economy.
Recto advocated various development issues such as a transparent oil pricing scheme to protect consumers as well as a
greater transparency in government project implementation. He also backed innovations in the green industry and technology
in the Philippines and signed a climate change program with the United Nations and the Spanish Government. In addition, Recto
pushed for deeper engagements with China and other growth regions such as the Middle East.
During his term as NEDA Director-General, Recto instituted the adoption of value engineering in infrastructure projects to
help cut costs, minimize delays and strengthen the ICC process. He introduced an employment odometer for all government
projects/initiatives to estimate the number of jobs that can be created.
Senator Recto also advocated the enhancement of the performance review of the Philippine government’s Official
Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio to help improve the country’s absorptive capacity, speed up the implementation of
development programs and projects, and manage for development results.
On August 16, 2009, he resigned as NEDA Director General and Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning, in preparation for
another run for the Senate in the 2010 election.
A New Senate Mandate
In the present 15th Congress, Senator Recto chairs the Committees on Ways and Means and on Government Corporations
and Public Enterprises. He also co-chairs the Joint Oversight Committee on the Proper Implementation of the National Internal
Revenue Code (NIRC) and the Joint Oversight Committee on the Official Development Assistance (ODA). He is vice chairman
of the Committee on Public Services and a member of the Commission on Appointments.
HEARTS which is the acronym for Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads, Tourism and Security is the core of Senator
Recto’s legislative agenda and advocacy. He believes that reforms in these sectors would have a meaningful impact on the
efforts to alleviate the sorry plight of the Filipino people.
Perhaps it is only Senator Vicente C. Sotto III among the present crop of senators who can seamlessly switch from
one career to another--being an accomplished public servant, lawmaker, sportsman, and artist in his own right.
He has excelled in all these fields—uncompromising and giving his best---as a true master of his own fate.
So far, he has sponsored and authored more than a hundred laws, making him one of the most prolific senators.
At present, he reprises his role as Majority Floor Leader, providing able support to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in
keeping the Senate’s legislative mill running.
Except for a brief period of two years, Sotto has been in public service for the past 24 years, starting in 1988 when he
entered politics as Vice Mayor of Quezon City. He was by then an accomplished actor, artist, musician and sportsman.
Unknown to many, Sotto is a multi-awarded bowler, winning in several international competitions. He showed his bowling
skills at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran where he took up Bachelor of Arts, major in English.
Seven times, he was part of the national bowling team and garnered several gold several times. The height of his bowling
came in 1978 when he represented the national team at the AMF Bowling World Cup in Bogota, Colombia and in 1984, in
Sydney, Australia.
At the same time, Sotto also excelled in the arts. He conceptualized, produced and recorded the VST and Co. which churned
out Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hits one after the other. He also produced Filipino artists like Sharon Cuneta, Freddie Aguilar,
Rico J. Puno, Anthony Castelo, Asin, among many others.
A lyricist and a tunesmith, Sotto provided the voice, the words, composed and arranged around 80 songs, based on the
registry of the OPM.
Some of these include “Dakilang Lahi,” which has been adopted as one of the official songs of the 1998 Philippine Centennial
Celebrations and “Magkaisa, which is better known as the official anthem of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
The last song earned for Sotto the Catholic Mass Media Award.
As the arts is a cousin of show business, Sotto also dabbled behind the silver screen and the TV business. Along with his
brother Vic Sotto and close friend Joey de Leon, they provided entertainment with their knack for comedy. They also played
hosts to the long-running lunch time show Eat Bulaga, providing cheers and hope to the masses.
In the celluloid world, they were an unbeatable trio in the box-office.
At the height his popularity, public service beckoned. Sotto realized there was more to life and it was time to give back.
Championing the war against illegal drugs, Sotto won by a landslide the vice-mayoral race in Quezon City. Fulfilling his vow
to drive out illegal drugs, he founded and organized the Quezon City Anti–Drug Council, which had been replicated in many
local government units.
Sotto would pursue with unrelenting vigor the war against illegal drugs, whether in the Senate or in government service.
He had chaired the Senate committee on illegal drugs and led the Dangerous Drug Board as chair from July 2008 to Nov. 2009.
For his anti-illegal drug stance, he was twice honored by the US-based International Narcotics Enforcement Officers
Association, where he is also a member.
Sotto capped his LGU stint by founding the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines, where he was its first president and
president emeritus thereafter.
In 1992, he sought higher office and thus began his two-decade public service as senator. He topped the senatorial race.
He completed fruitful two-terms, chairing many committees, among them public services, science and technology, local
government and tourism. He also chaired the joint oversight committees on local government, youth and sports development
and rural development.
He also assumed the roles of minority floor leader and majority floor leader.
In the 2010, he sought and won a fresh term as senator and in recognition of his hard work and dedication, Sotto was
named Majority Floor Leader for the second time.
It is not only in his professional life that Sotto excels. His marital union and bliss to now part-time actress Helen Gamboa is
a rarity in showbusiness—bonded by fear and love of God. He is also a doting father to Romina Frances, Diorella Maria, Gian
Carlo and Ciara Anna.
For him, his family is his best treasures, and an untarnished record as a public servant, his lasting legacy.
Antonio Fuentes Trillanes IV, or Sonny to his relatives and friends, was born and raised in Caloocan City. He traces his
roots to Ligao, Albay in Bicol where his late father, Antonio Sr., grew up. His mother, Estelita, hails from the province of
Capiz.
Sonny is 35 years old; born on August 6, 1971. He is married to the former Arlene G. Orejana with two children namely:
Francis Seth and Thea Estelle. Their third child, Alan Andrew, died of an illness while he was just twenty-one days old.
He studied at De La Salle University in Manila where he took up BS ECE from 1987 to 1991.
He formally entered into public service in 1991 as a cadet in the Philippine Military Academy where he graduated Cum Laude
in 1995, while earning a degree in BS Naval System Engineering. Other awards he received while in PMA are the Mathematics
Plaque, Physical Science Plaque, and the Tambuli Award for electrical/electronics engineering.
In 2002, Sonny took up graduate studies at the University of the Philippines and got his masters degree in Public
Administration major in Public Policy and Program Management. For the duration of the masteral program, he received two
University Scholar Awards for obtaining two semestral GPAs of 1.0 to 1.25 and a College Scholar Award for obtaining a
semestral GPA of 1.25 to 1.50.
After graduating from PMA, Sonny went through all shipboard assignments starting from Mess & Supply Officer; Deck &
Gunnery Officer; Engineering & Damage Control Officer; Executive Officer; and, ultimately as Acting Commanding Officer of a
patrol gunboat.
During his five-year sea duty experience, his unit apprehended dozens of smugglers, illegal loggers, poachers, human
smugglers and illegal fishermen in numerous maritime law enforcement operations conducted in the waters off Batanes,
Ilocos, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Scarborough, Quezon, Bicol, Palawan, Mindoro, Romblon, Iloilo, Cebu, Zamboanga
Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Davao and Maguindanao.
Other shore positions he held were: Administrative/Personnel Officer of Philippine Fleet Patrol Force; and Procurement
Officer/Instructor, Naval Education & Training Command.
Among the highlights of his military profession, was the daring search and rescue operation for the survivors of the ill-fated
M/V Princess of the Orient at the height of a super typhoon in 1998. For this act of risking their own lives in the fulfillment of
their duty, Sonny and his unit managed to rescue thirty-two (32) survivors.
He was also involved in numerous naval operations in support of ground operations directed against the Abu Sayyaf and other
lawless elements.
As procurement officer of the Naval Training and Education Command, Philippine Navy, Sonny reformed the procurement
system, which resulted to the accumulated savings of more than four million pesos in favor of the government.
He has participated in 22 naval exercises conducted with local and foreign navies.
For his meritorious service to his country, Sonny has been awarded a total of 23 assorted merit medals, campaign ribbons
and badges.
Finally, during the recent May 14, 2007 mid-term Elections, Sonny successfully launched a nationwide campaign from his
prison cell as he ran and won a seat in the Philippine Senate on a shoestring budget. More than 11 million people voted him
into office on a strong anti-corruption advocacy.
Cynthia Aguilar Villar earned her degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of the
Philippines’ (UP) College of Business Administration, which recognized her as one of its Distinguished Alumni in 2004. Recently,
in August 2017, she was awarded as “Most Distinguished Alumna” by the UP Alumni Association (UPAA). She completed her
Masters’ Degree in Business Administration at the New York University (NYU).
She practiced as a financial analyst and college professor until she married Former House Speaker and Senate President
Manny Villar in 1975. She then helped her husband in various entrepreneurial ventures, eventually making Vista Land the
biggest homebuilder in the Philippines. She managed a private development bank from 1989 to 1998.
In 2001, Cynthia Villar won in a landslide victory as Representative of Las Piñas to the Philippine’s House of Representatives,
where she completed three terms or nine years of service until 2010. She was Chairperson of Committee on Higher and Technical
Education during the 13th and 14th congress. She was President of the Lady Legislators during the 12th, 13th & 14th Congress
initiating legislations benefitting women, children and family.
Cynthia Villar’s social and civic concerns are wide and varied. Thus, in 1992, she founded and chaired the Villar Foundation
(now Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance or Villar SIPAG), the programs of which include providing
assistance to OFWs, sponsoring every year the OFW and OFW Family Summit attended by 5,000 OFW families environment
protection and livelihood projects, which she has established in nearly 1,800 locations all over the country. She served as
Managing Director of the foundation until 2012.
Senator Villar was also conferred the rank of honorary Commodore by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Auxiliary for her
commitment to environment protection. She is also an Honorary Member of the Philippine Horticultural Society.
In the 2013 Midterm Elections, Cynthia Villar won as Senator of the country. Senator Villar is the current chairperson of the
Senate Committees on Agriculture and Food as well as the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. She is
instrumental in establishing the Las Piñas - Parañaque Wetland Park in the Las Piñas - Parañaque Critical Habitat & Ecotourism
Area or LPPCHEA and spearheading the Manila Bay Clean Up. She is also behind the establishment of 900 farm schools all over
the country supported by TESDA.
Amidst all her achievements and awards, she successfully raised three well-educated children: Paolo is the CEO of publicly
listed Vista Land; Mark is the Secretary of the Departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); and Camille, is the Executive
Vice President of Starmall and President of All Home.
The House of Representatives of the Philippines (Filipino: Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan ng Pilipinas), is the lower
house of the Congress of the Philippines. It is often commonly referred to as Congress. Members of the House are
officially styled as representative (Kinatawan) and sometimes informally called Congressmen/Congresswomen (mga
kongresista) and are elected to a three-year term. They can be re-elected, but cannot serve more than three
consecutive terms. Around eighty percent of congressmen are district representatives, representing a particular
geographical area. There are 234 legislative districts in the country, each composed of about 250,000 people. There are
also party-list representatives elected through the party-list system who constitute not more than twenty percent of the
total number of representatives.
Aside from needing its agreement to every bill in order to be sent for the President's signature to become law, the House
of Representatives has power to impeach certain officials and all money bills must originate from the lower house.
The House of Representatives is headed by the Speaker, currently Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Pampanga. The official
headquarters of the House of Representatives is at the Batasang Pambansa (literally, national legislature) located in
the Batasan Hills in Quezon City in Metro Manila. The building is often simply called Batasan and the word has also
become a metonym to refer to the House of Representatives
‘
History[edit]
Joint session of the Philippine Legislature, Manila. November 15, 1916
Philippine legislature before 1924
Party control of the lower house. Notice the one-party dominance of the Nacionalistas from 1907 to 1941, the two-party system with
the emergence of the Liberal Party in 1946, the return of one-party dominance by the KBLfrom 1978 to 1984, and the multiparty
system from 1987 to the present.
Same as above, but in cumulative seat totals, instead of percentages.
Philippine Assembly[edit]
Main article: Philippine Assembly
At the beginning of American colonial rule, from March 16, 1900, the sole national legislative body was the Philippine
Commission with all members appointed by the President of the United States. Headed by the Governor-General of the
Philippines the body exercised all legislative authority given to it by the President and the United States Congress until
October 1907 when it was joined by the Philippine Assembly. William Howard Taft was chosen to be the first American
civilian Governor-General and the first leader of this Philippine Commission, which subsequently became known as the
Taft Commission.
The Philippine Bill of 1902, a basic law, or organic act, of the Insular Government, mandated that once certain
conditions were met a bicameral, or two-chamber, Philippine Legislature would be created with the previously existing,
all-appointed Philippine Commission as the upper house and the Philippine Assembly as the lower house. This
bicameral legislature was inaugurated in October 1907. Under the leadership of Speaker Sergio Osmeñaand Floor
Leader Manuel L. Quezon, the Rules of the 59th United States Congress was substantially adopted as the Rules of the
Philippine Legislature. Osmeña and Quezon led the Nacionalista Party, with a platform of independence from the United
States, into successive electoral victories against the Progresista Party and later the Democrata Party, which first
advocated United States statehood, then opposed immediate independence.
It is this body, founded as the Philippine Assembly, that would continue in one form or another, and with a few different
names, up until the present day.
Jones Act of 1916[edit]

Main article: Jones Law (Philippines)
In 1916, the Jones Act, officially the Philippine Autonomy Act, changed the legislative system. The Philippine
Commission was abolished and a new fully elected, bicameral Philippine Legislature consisting of a House of
Representatives and a Senate was established. The Nacionalistas continued their electoral dominance at this point,
although they were split into two factions led by Osmeña and Quezon; the two reconciled in 1924, and controlled the
Assembly via a virtual dominant-party system.
Commonwealth and the Third Republic[edit]

Main article: National Assembly of the Philippines
The legislative system was changed again in 1935. The 1935 Constitution established a unicameral National Assembly.
But in 1940, through an amendment to the 1935 Constitution, a bicameral Congress of the Philippines consisting of a
House of Representatives and a Senate was adopted.
Upon the inauguration of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946, Republic Act No. 6 was enacted providing that on the
date of the proclamation of the Republic of the Philippines, the existing Congress would be known as the First Congress
of the Republic. The "Liberal bloc" of the Nacionalistas permanently split from their ranks, creating the Liberal Party.
These two will contest all of the elections in what appeared to be a two-party system. The party of the ruling president
wins the elections in the House of Representatives; in cases where the party of the president and the majority of the
members of the House of Representatives are different, a sufficient enough number will break away and join the party of
the president, thereby ensuring that the president will have control of the House of Representatives.
Martial Law[edit]
Main article: Batasang Pambansa
This set up continued until President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law and abolished Congress. He would rule by
decree even after the 1973 Constitution abolished the bicameral Congress and created a unicameral Batasang
Pambansa parliamentary system of government, as parliamentary election would not occur in 1978. Marcos' Kilusang
Bagong Lipunan (KBL; New Society Movement) won all of the seats except those from the Central Visayas ushering in
an era of KBL dominance, which will continue until the People Power Revolution overthrew Marcos in 1986.
1987 Constitution[edit]
The 1987 Constitution restored the presidential system of government together with a bicameral Congress of the
Philippines. One deviation from the previous setup was the introduction of the mid-term election; however, the dynamics
of the House of Representatives resumed its pre-1972 state, with the party of the president controlling the chamber,
although political pluralism ensued that prevented the restoration of the old Nacionalista-Liberal two-party system.
Instead, a multi-party system evolved.
Corazon Aquino who nominally had no party, supported the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP; Struggle of the
Democratic Filipinos). With the victory of Fidel V. Ramos in the 1992 presidential election, many representatives
defected to his Lakas-NUCD party; the same would happen with Joseph Estrada's victory in 1998, but he lost support
when he was ousted after the 2001 EDSA Revolution that brought his vice president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to power.
This also meant the restoration of Lakas-NUCD as the top party in the chamber. The same would happen
when Benigno Aquino won in 2010, which returned the Liberals into power.
The presiding officer is the Speaker. Unlike the Senate President, the Speaker usually serves the entire term of
Congress, although there had been instances when the Speaker left office due to conflict with the president: examples
include Jose de Venecia, Jr.'s resignation as speaker in 2008 when his son Joey de Venecia exposed alleged corrupt
practices by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, and Manny Villar's ouster occurred after he allowed the impeachment of
President Estrada in 2000.
Officers[edit]
The members of the House of Representatives who are also its officers are also ex officio members of all of
the committees and have a vote.
Speaker[edit]
Main article: Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
The Speaker is the head of the House of Representatives. He presides over the session; decides on all questions of
order, subject to appeal by any member; signs all acts, resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by
or upon order of the House; appoints, suspends, dismisses or disciplines House personnel; and exercise administrative
functions.
The speaker is elected by majority of all the members of the house, including vacant seats. The speaker is traditionally
elected at the convening of each Congress. Before a speaker is elected, the House's sergeant-at-arms sits as the
"Presiding Officer" until a speaker is elected. Compared to the Senate President, the unseating of an incumbent speaker
is rarer.
As of July 2018, the incumbent speaker is Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PDP-Laban) of Pampanga's Second congressional
district.
Deputy Speakers[edit]
Main article: Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
There was a position of speaker pro tempore for congresses prior the reorganization of the officers of the House of
Representatives during the 10th Congress in 1995. The speaker pro tempore was the next highest position in the House
after the speaker.
The position was replaced by deputy speakers in 1995. Originally, there was one Deputy Speaker for each island
group of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Then, in 2001 during the 12th Congress, a Deputy Speaker "at large" was
created. In the next Congress, another "at large" deputy speakership was created, along with a Deputy Speaker for
women. In the 15th Congress starting in 2010, all six deputy speakers are "at large".
The deputy speakers perform the speaker's role when the speaker is absent. Currently in the 16th Congress, the deputy
speakers represent the chamber at-large.
The Deputy Speakers are:
 Eric Singson (Ilocos Sur–2nd, PDP-Laban)

 Mercedes Alvarez (Negros Occidental–6th, NPC)
 Fredenil Castro (Capiz–2nd, NUP)
 Raneo Abu (Batangas–2nd, Nacionalista)
 Miro Quimbo (Marikina–2nd, Liberal)
Since July 25, 2016
 Pia Cayetano (Taguig–Lone, Nacionalista)

 Gwendolyn Garcia (Cebu–3rd, PDP-Laban)
 Mylene Garcia-Albano (Davao City–2nd, PDP-Laban)
 Sharon Garin (party-list member of AAMBIS-OWA)
Since August 15, 2016
Majority Floor Leader[edit]

Main article: Majority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
The majority leader, aside from being the spokesman of the majority party, is to direct the deliberations on the floor. The
Majority Leader is also concurrently the Chairman of the Committee on Rules. The majority leader is elected in a party
caucus of the ruling majority party.
The incumbent majority floor leader is Rodolfo C. Fariñas (NP) of Ilocos Norte's First district.
Minority Floor Leader[edit]

Main article: Minority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
The minority leader is the spokesman of the minority party in the House and is an ex-officio member of all standing
Committees. The minority leader is elected in party caucus of all Members of the House in the minority party, although
by tradition, the losing candidate for speaker is named the minority leader.
The incumbent minority floor leader is Danilo E. Suarez (Lakas) of Quezon's 3rd District.
Secretary General[edit]
The secretary general enforces orders and decisions of the House; keeps the Journal of each session; notes all
questions of order, among other things. The secretary general presides over the chamber at the first legislative session
after an election, and is elected by a majority of the members.
As of May 2017, Cesar S Pareja is the Secretary General of the House of Representatives.[1]
Sergeant-at-Arms[edit]
The Sergeant-at-Arms is responsible for the maintenance of order in the House of Representatives, among other things.
Like the Secretary General, the Sergeant-at-Arms is elected by a majority of the members.
As of May 2017, retired Lieutenant General, Roland M. Detabali is the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of
Representatives.[2]

Legislative Powers Explained: Senate, House of Representatives Roles

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Legislative Powers Explained: Senate, House of Representatives Roles

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Legislative Power[edit]

History of the Senate

Senator Vicente C. Sotto III

Senate Office: Rm. 603 & 24 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Ralph G. Recto

Senate Office: Rm. 509 & 19 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri

Senate Office: Rm. 505 & 18 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Franklin M. Drilon

Senate Office: Rm. 601 & 20 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Sonny M. Angara

Senate Office: Rm. 521-A 5/F GSIS Bldg.,

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV

Senate Office: Rm. 510 & 5 (New Wing 5/F)

Social Media Accounts:

Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Sombillo Binay

Senate Office: Rm. 523 & 14 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Alan Peter "Compañero" S. Cayetano*

Email: alanpetercayetano.media@gmail.com /senalanpetercayetano1028@gmail.com / senainvits

*Member of the 17th Congress until May 17, 2017

Senator Leila De Lima

Senate Office: Rm. 502 & 16 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito

Senate Office: Rm. 511 & 2 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero

Senate Office: Rm. 517 & 10 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian

Senate Office: Rm. 512 & 22 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Richard J. Gordon

Senate Office: Rm. 504 & 3 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II

Senate Office: Rm. 507 & 13 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Risa Hontiveros

Senate Office: Rm. 527 & 9 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson

Senator Loren B. Legarda

Senate Office: Rm. 209-210 & 12 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Emmanuel "Manny" D. Pacquiao

Senate Office: Rm. 526 & 6 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan

Senate Office: Rm. 516 & 4 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III

Senate Office: Rm. 606-609 & 1 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Grace L. Poe

Senate Office: Rm. 525 & 7 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV

Senate Office: Rm. 519 & 15 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Joel Villanueva

Senate Office: Rm. 506 & 8 (New Wing 5/F)

Senator Cynthia A. Villar

Senate Office: Rm. 503

Article VI, Section 2 of the Constitution provides:

Qualifications to Become Senators

Organization of the Senate

The Senate Proper

A. The Officers of the Senate

1. The Senate President

(b) To decide all points of order;

2. The Senate President Pro Tempore

(b) When the President is temporarily incapacitated; and

3. The Majority Leader

4. The Minority Leader