Two Principles Governing

Citizenship by Birth:
1. Jus Sanguines
- citizenship by virtue of blood relationship
- children follow the citizenship of the parents, this
prevails in the Philippines.

2. Jus Soli
- citizenship by virtue of the place of birth
- a person becomes a citizen of the State where he is
born irrespective of the citizenship of the parents, this
principle prevails in the United States.
 Article V: Suffrage
Suffrage
- it is the right and obligation of qualified
Filipino citizen to vote in the national and
local elections and in the decision of public
questions submitted to them.
 Scopes of Suffrage:
1. Election
- It is the means by which the people choose their
officials for definite and fixed periods and to whom
they entrust

2. Initiative
- Power of the people to propose amendments to
the Constitution or to propose and enact legislation
 Scopes of Suffrage:
3. Referendum
- Power of the electorate to approve or reject
legislation through an election called for the purpose

4. Plebiscite
-It is the name given to a popular vote of the
people expressing their view within their choice for or
against a proposed law submitted to them
 Scopes of Suffrage:
5. Recall
- It is a method by which a public officer may be
removed from office during his tenure or before the
expiration of his term by a vote of the people
 Article VI: Legislative
Department
 Legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of
the Philippines, which shall consists of a:
1. Senate
2. House of Representatives.
 Instances when the people can exercise legislative
power:
1. People’s Initiative
2. Referendum
 Article VI: Legislative
Department
Legislative power
- It is the power to make laws and to alter or
amend them

 The Senate shall be composed of 24 senators.

 Article VI: Legislative
Department
Qualifications of Senators:
o Natural-born Filipino citizen
o At least 35 years old
o Able to read and write
o Registered voter
o Resident of the Philippines for at least two years

 Term of Office: 6 years

: can serve for two consecutive terms
 Article VI: Legislative
Department
 The House of Representatives shall be composed of
not more than 250 members elected from:
1. Legislative congressional districts (80%)
2. Party-list system (20%)

 Term of Office: 3 years

: can serve for three consecutive terms
 Article VI: Legislative
Department
Qualifications of the Members of the House of
Representatives:

1. Natural-born Filipino citizen

2. At least 25 years old
3. Able to read and write
4. Registered voter in the district in which he shall be
elected
5. Resident of such district of not less than one year.
 Article VI: Legislative
Department
Steps in the Passage of a Bill:

1. First Reading
- the number and the title of the bill is read.
2. Reference to the House Committee
- the Senate President or the Speaker of the House
will refer the bill to the proper committee
3. Second Reading
- the bill is read in its entirely, scrutinized, debated
upon and amended when necessary.
 Article VI: Legislative
Department
Steps in the Passage of a Bill:

4. Third Reading
- the members of either House register their votes,
which may be for or against the measure
5. Referral to the other Chamber
- once the bill passes the third reading the
measure is sent or referred to the other chamber,
where it will also undergo three readings.
6. Action by the President
 Article VI: Legislative
Department
How a Bill becomes a Law:

1. The President may approve the bill by signing it.

2. The President may veto the bill, however the
Congress by 2/3 votes of each house may override
the veto power of the President. In such case, the
bill shall become a law.
3. The President may not act on the bill. If the
President does not act on the bill within 30 days
from its receipt, the same shall be considered as
approved.