CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the Congress of the

Philippines, the country’s legislature. It exists to create and promote a national

perspective on national policy in order to build a prosperous, secure, honest and

democratic nation. In the 100 years of its founding, it has been the training ground for

national leadership and has served as the ultimate bastion of free debate and oversight

of the Republic 1[ CITATION gov1 \l 13321 ]. It all started in 1899 during the American

occupation of the Philippines. The United States President commission to study and

investigate the Philippine islands, By the year 1901 onwards, the Philippine

commission would be regularized. By virtue of the U.S congress, Philippine Organic

Act of 1902 enactment has been held, with the Philippine Commission which

constituted the upper house while newly formed Philippine Assembly would

constitute as the lower house. Since then, the Philippine Legislature serve its purpose

for the past several years.

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. 2[CITATION gov2 \l

13321 ].

Since its establishment a 100 years ago, the Senate of the Philippines the upper

chamber of the Legislature has moved its home many times. Here are the buildings or

places of which senate has been held and Philippine Legislature formed.
1
Govph, History of the Senate of the Philippines,: Official Gazette
2
Govph, History of the Senate ,: Senate of the Philippines
1
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gov. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/. n.d.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-history-of-the-senate-of-the-
philippines/.

—. senate.gov.ph. n.d. http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/about/history.asp.

gov.ph. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-history-of-the-senate-of-the-
philippines/. n.d. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/.