The Legislative

Department

1. The legislative
2. Composition of Legislative
3. Qualifications
4. Legislative Functions
5. Legislative Powers
 What is legislative power?

The power to make, amend or repeal laws.

Where is legislative power vested?

It shall be vested in the Philippine Congress except

reserved to the people by the provision on initiative
and referendum.
 Composition of the
Philippine
Congress
The Philippine Congress is a bicameral legislature.

Two houses consisting Philippines Congress:

1. Senate House (Upper House)

Composed of twenty-four senators & twelve of them are
elected every three years.

2. House of Representative (Lower House)

Composed of not more than 250 members & 20% of them
must be party-list representatives.
 Who are the officers of the
Philippine Congress?

In the Senate the officers are:
Senate President.
Senate Pro-Tempore.
Majority Floor Leader.
Minority Floor Leader.
In the House of Representatives:
Speaker of the House.
Deputy Speakers for Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao.
Minority Floor Leader.
 When are Members of the
Philippine Congress elected?

Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular
election of Senators and House of Representatives
shall be held on the Second Monday of May (article 6
section 8).

Senate and House of Representatives shall have an

Electoral Tribunal that is the sole judge of contests
relating to election returns, qualification of their
respective members.
The Rights and Privileges for the
members of the Congress

Right to receive a salary

right to receive annual salary.

right to enact laws increasing the salaries of legislators.

Parliamentary Immunity

Members of the congress cannot be questioned or held liable for

any speech or debate in congress or any of its working committees.
The Rights and Privileges for the
members of the Congress

Freedom from Arrest

members enjoys freedom from arrest while Congress is

in session.

The offence committed though must not be punishable

by not more than six years.
 Powers and Functions of the Senate President
and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives

Leaders of Congress are responsible in doing the
following:
Preside over their sessions.
Preserve order and decorum.
Decide all questions of order.
Signs acts, resolutions, orders and warrants.
Issue subpoenas.
Appoint personnel and disciple them.
 Term of office of the
Senator

The term of office of the Senators shall be six years
and they are qualified for one reelection.

It start at noon of 30th June following their election.

Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of

the time shall not be considered an interruption in
the continuity of his service for the fill term for
which he was elected.
 Qualification for the
Senators

A natural born Filipino citizens

A registered voter

Able to read and write

At least 35 years of age on the day of the election

A resident of the Philippines for not less than two years

immediately preceding the election.
 Term office of the
Representatives

The term shall be for 3 to 9 years service.

It starts at noon on the 30th day of June following their

election.

Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of

the time shall not be considered an interruption in the
continuity of his service for the fill term for which he
was elected.
 Qualifications for the
Representatives

A natural born Filipino citizen

Able to read and write

At least 25 years ago of age on the day of the election

A registered voter in the district where he intends to run

A resident of the place for at least one year immediately

preceding the election.
 The Party-list System

The party-list representatives shall constitute twentyper
centumof the total number of representatives including
those under the party list. For three consecutive terms
after the ratification of this Constitution, one-half of the
seats allocated to party-list representatives shall be filled,
as provided by law, by selection or election from the
labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural
communities, women, youth, and such other sectors as
may be provided by law, except the religious sector.
(Article 6, Section 5 of 1987 Constitution).
 The Party-list System

Republic act 7491 or the Party list Act

approved and effective in 1998.

guarantees representation for the under-represented

sector.
How do Members of Congress
Work?

Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth
Monday of July for its regular session, unless a different
date is fixed by law.
It shall continue in session for such number of days as it
may determine until 30 days before the opening of its next
regular session.
The President may call a special session at any time when
needed due to crises or emergencies.
A majority of each House constitutes a quorum to do
business. The rule observed in both houses is one-half plus
one.
Committees in Congress
Electoral Tribunal the
sole judge of all contests
relating to the election, returns
and qualifications of members
of each House in Congress.
Composed of, three members
from Justices of the Supreme
Court to be designated by the
Chief Justice. Six Members of
the Senate or the House of
Representatives.
The Senior Justice in the
Electoral Tribunal is Chairman.
Commission on
Appointments its
function is to approve or
disapprove appointments
submitted to it by the
President.
Composed of the President
of the Senate, as ex-officio
Chairman, twelve Senators
and twelve Members of the
House of Representatives.
 Power of Congress

Power to Conduct Inquiry in Aid of Legislation
Power to declare existence of war
The power of Appropriation
Power to impeach to be initiated by the House of
Representatives
Power to confirm treaties by 2/3 vote of all Senators.
Power to act as board of canvasser for presidential and vice-
presidential votes.
Power to act as constituent assembly or introduce
amendments to the constitution by a vote of of all its
members.
 What is a bill?

It is a propose law.

Some bills which must originate exclusively may propose

or concur with amendments.
Examples:
appropriation bill
revenue bill
tariff bill
bill authorizing increase of public debt
bill of local application
private bill.
 Steps in the Passage of a Bill

Introduction of the Bill any member of the Senate or House of
Representative can introduce a bill. Submitted to the Secretary of the House. A
number is assigned by the Secretariat and it calendars for first reading.

First Reading only number, title and its author is read.

Committee Referral and Action the bill is referred to the appropriate

committee that conducts meeting and public hearing.

Second Reading the bill is read in its entirely. The period of debate,
sponsorship speech, interpellation, amendments.

Third Reading the bill is subjected to voting. Sent the other chamber of
congress; the same steps will be followed.
 How does a Bill became a
Law?

After assigned by the President, or

After 30 days from the day of submission Presidential

action and the Presidential take no action and

Overriding the Presidential veto by Congress. If the

President vetoes the bill, 2/3 of the House where it
originated can pass the bill to other chamber, if
approved by 2/3 of the members of the house then the
Presidential veto is overridden and the bill become law.