The independent Republic of the Philippines was proclaimed on July 4, 1946, with

Manuel Roxas as President. The Second Congress of the Commonwealth was

transformed into the First Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, also made up
of the Senate and the House of Representatives. This would mark the beginning of
the count of Congresses of the Republic until the imposition of Martial Law in 1972
when Congress would be dissolved.
This era started the legislation of republic acts which would continue until 1972.
Upon the restoration of democracy in 1986 and the ratification of the 1987
Constitution, the naming of laws as republic acts would be reinstated.
The post-Independence Congress became the first legislature of the Republic of the
Philippines. That Congress’ first members were elected during the dying days of the
Commonwealth in 1946, and the last barely a year before it gave way to martial law
that ushered in the dictatorship in 1973. All told, that legislature consisted of seven
Congresses of four years each except the final one, which lasted for only two years.
The Congress of the Philippines emerged following the first amendments of the 1935
Constitution. The members of the Senate were elected at large or nationwide, unlike
their predecessors, who were elected by regions for a term of 6 years. The election
of the First Congress, 16 for the Senate and 104 for the House, took place on April
23, 1946.
The majority of laws originate in the House of Representatives, and this discussion
will focus principally on the procedure in that body. Members of the Senate develop
ideas for legislation, and a member may introduce such a bill by request. The fact
that a proposal cannot become a law without consideration and approval by both
Houses of Congress is an outstanding virtue of our bicameral legislative system.
Among the powers exercised by the Senate were:
Ratification of treaties entered into by the Executive; and Confirmation of
appointments made by the President
The 1972 Constitution abolished the bicameral legislature and, in its stead,
established a unicameral body under a parliamentary government. The legislative
bodies created during the martial law were the Batasang Bayan, the Interim
Batasang Bayan, and the Batasang Pambansa. When the famous “people power” or
EDSA revolution broke out in February 1986, Corazon Aquino was installed as the
new President. She issued a proclamation creating a Constitutional Commission to
draft a new constitution for the Philippines.
Congress is responsible for making and enabling laws to make sure the spirit of the
constitution is upheld in the country and, at times, amend or change the constitution
itself. In order to craft laws, the legislative body comes out with two primary
documents: bills and resolutions.
Bills are laws in the making. They pass into law when they are approved by both
houses and the President of the Philippines. The President may veto a bill, but the
House of Representatives may overturn a presidential veto by garnering a 2/3rds
vote. If the President does not act on a proposed law submitted by Congress, it will
lapse into law after 30 days of receipt.
The following is a summary of how a bill becomes a law: Filing/Calendaring
for First Reading
A bill is filed in the Office of the Secretary, where it is given a corresponding number and
calendared for First Reading.
First Reading
Its title, bill number, and author’s name are read on the floor, after which it is referred to the
proper Committee.
Committee Hearings/Report
The Committee conducts hearings and consultation meetings. It then either approves the
proposed bill without an amendment, approves it with changes, or recommends substitution
or consolidation with similar bills filed.
Calendaring for Second Reading
The Committee Report with its approved bill version is submitted to the Committee on Rules
for calendaring for Second Reading.
Second Reading
Bill author delivers sponsorship speech on the floor. Senators engage in debate, interpellation,
turno en contra, and rebuttal to highlight the pros and cons of the bill. A period of amendments
incorporates necessary changes in the bill proposed by the Committee or introduced by the
Senators themselves on the floor.
Voting on Second Reading
Senators vote on the second reading version of the bill. If approved, the bill is calendared for
the third reading.
Voting on Third Reading
Printed copies of the bill’s final version are distributed to the Senators. This time, only the
title of the bill is read on the floor. Nominal voting is held. If passed, the approved Senate bill
is referred to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
At the House of Representatives
The Lower Chamber follows the same procedures (First Reading, Second Reading, and
Third Reading).
Back to the Senate
If the House-approved version is compatible with the Senate's, the final version’s enrolled
form is printed. If there are certain differences, a Bicameral Conference Committee is called to
reconcile conflicting provisions of both versions of the Senate and of the House of
Representatives. The conference committee submits a report on the reconciled version of the
bill, duly approved by both chambers. The Senate prints the reconciled version in its enrolled
form.
Submission to Malacañang
The final enrolled form is submitted to Malacañang. The President either signs it into law or
vetoes it and sends it back to the Senate with a veto message
VOTING REQUIREMENTS:
Number of votes required for passing
In1950’s: Less than 100, around 50.
Present: Around or more than 100.