Legislative Branch

Legislative power
 Power to make, enact, or create laws
 Can alter and repeal laws
 Gained by the Congress of the Philippines consisting of the Senate and the House of
Representatives
Senate
 Composed of 24 senators elected by the entire Philippines
 Article 6, Section 2
 Qualifications
o Natural-born citizen
o At least 35 years old
o Literate
o A resident in the Philippines for no less than 2 years
o Article 6, Section 3
 Term of office
o Starting during noon at June 30, lasts for 6 years
o Can have 2 consecutive terms, but may serve for more than two terms as long as
said terms are not consecutive
o Article 6, Section 4

House of Representatives
 Not more than 250 members that are elected by:
o legislative districts – per city, 80%
o party-list system – people who are unfortunate, 20%
 Article 6, Section 5
 Qualifications
o Natural-born citizen
o At least 25 years old
o Literate
o Registered voter in the district (except party-list members)
o A resident in the Philippines for no less than a year
o Article 6, Section 6
 Term of office
o Starting during noon at June 30, lasts for 3 years
o Can have 3 consecutive terms, but may serve for more than 3 terms as long as
said terms are not consecutive
o Article 6, Section 7
Election, vacancy, and removal
 Election occurs during the second Monday of May//Article 6, Section 8
 In case of vacancy, a special election will be held//Article 6, Section 9
 During expulsion, there must be a 2/3 vote
Powers of Congress
 Specific powers: Authorized by the Congress directly
 Implied powers: necessary
 Inherent powers: automatic powers, do not need to be granted by the Constitution

 Inquiries in aid of legislation (Art 6, sec 21)

 Question hour (Art 6, Sec 22)
 Declaring existence of state of war (Art 2, Sec 2)
 Chooses the President in case of a tie (Article 7, Section 4)
 Confirms the nomination of the Vice President (Article 7, Section 9)
 Determine the President’s disability (Article 7, Section 9)
 Propose constitutional amendments (Article 17, Sections 1-2)

 Checks to the President

o Can veto the President (Article 6, Section 27)
o Commission on Appointments can confirm/reject presidential appointments
(Article 7, Section 16, 18-19)
o Can revoke/extend Martial law or suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus (Article 7, Sections 18-19)
o Give concurrence to amnesties (Article 7, Section 19) and treaties (Article 7,
Section 21)
o Can impeach (Article 11, Sections 2-3)
 Checks to the Judiciary
o Can define, prescribe, and apportion the jurisdiction of various courts (Article 8,
Section 7)
o Prescribe the qualification of judges (Article 8, Section 7)
o Can impeach (Article 11, Sections 2-3)

Lawmaking Process
 First reading
o Referral to the appropriate committee
o Number, title, and name of authors
 Second reading
o Debates, printing and distribution
 o The bill is read in its entirety, deliberation and amendment
o Revisions are suggested
 Third reading
o Voting again, only the title is read
o Referral to the other house
o No more amendments, signatures are written
o Submission to the bicameral conference committee (only if there are differences
between copies) and the President
o Presidential action on the bill within 30 days
o If the bill is not signed by the president it is automatically a law
Parts of a law
 Title
 Preamble
 Enacting clause
 Body
 Separability clause
 Repealing Clause
 Effectivity Clause