The Legislative

Department
Lesson 8
 Overview
> Congress: the Legislative Branch of
government in the Philippines.
> Purpose, functions and structure of
Congress
> Constitutional mandates with respect to
Congress
The Constitution is the
origin and measure of
legislative authority. It
says to legislators,
thus far ye shall go
and no farther. Not a
particle of it should be
shaken; not a pebble
of it should be
removed.
-William Paterson
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 The Legislative
Branch
 Came from the Latin
lex, legis meaning
“law”
 The legislative branch
broadly deals with the
making, deliberation
over, enactment,
amendment and
repealing of laws.

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 Basic Structures
There are two basic structures for legislative
branches of government:

 Unicameral. The legislative branch

consists of one chamber/house
 Bicameral. Legislative power is vested in
two chambers/houses

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A Congress is formal meeting of the representatives of different
nations, constituent states, independent organizations (such as trade
unions), or groups.
A Senate is a deliberate assembly, often the upper house or chamber of
a bicameral legislature or parliament.
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many
countries and sub-national entities.
The Regional Legislative Assembly is the legislative branch of the
ARMM government.
Provincial Assembly represents a local constituency.
Municipal Assembly a body of citizens who govern a town or
municipality.
Barangay Assembly govern a barangay
Youth Assembly are youth that helps the barangay.
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 The Philippine Congress
The Philippine Congress is the country’s
legislative department (Art. VI, Sec. 1)

Congress is bicameral
 Upper House: Senate
 Lower House: House of Representatives

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 Senate
 Composition: 24 senators elected at large
 Qualifications:
 Natural-born citizen
 At least 35 years old on election day
 Literate (can read and write)
 Registered voter
 Philippine resident for 2 years prior to election day
 Terms of Office:
 6 years
 Maximum: 2 terms

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 Senate of the Philippines (18th Congress)
> Sen. Vicente C. Sotto > Sen. Ronaldo “Bato” > Sen. Emmanuel
III M. dela Rosa “Manny” D.
> > Pacquiao
Sen. Ralph G. Recto Sen. Win Gatchalian
> > > Sen. Francis “Kiko”
Sen. Juan Miguel Sen. Christopher
Pangilinan
“Migz” F. Zubiri Lawrence T. Go
> > > Sen. Aquilino
Sen. Franklin M. Sen. Richard J.
“Koko” Pimentel III
Drilon Gordon
> Sen. Grace L. Poe
> Sen. Juan Edgardo > Sen. Riza Hontiveros
“Sonny” Angara > Sen. Ramon “Bong”
> Sen Panfilo “Ping”
> Sen. Maria Lourdes M. Lacson Revilla Jr.
Nancy S. Binay > Sen. Francis “Tol”
> Sen. Manuel “Lito”
> Tolentino
Sen. Pia S. Cayetano M. Lapid
> Sen. Joel Villanueva
> Sen. Leila M. De > Sen. Imee R. Marcos
Lima > Sen. Cynthia A.
Villar
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 In Case of Vacancy…
> Vacancy can be filled through regular
election
> Special election can be called for the
purpose of filling the vacancy
> In either circumstances, the one elected
merely sits for the unexpired term

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 Parliamentary Priveleges
Congress have two parliamentary privileges
while Congress is in session:

 Privilege from Arrest. Immunity from

offenses punishable by not more than six
years imprisonment
 Privilege of Speech and Debate. Immunity
from Libel and Slander
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 Transparency
Elected Congressmen Must:
 Fully disclose their financial and business
interests
 Disclose potential conflicts of interests that
arise in the course of legislation
 Keep from any other office or employment
(appointment or otherwise), forfeit his/her
seat to do so
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 Structure and Dynamics
> Senate President and House Speaker elected by
majority vote
> Other officers, procedures and the discipline of its
members is at the discretion of each house
> Quorum: Majority
> Each house maintains a journal and record of
proceedings
> Neither house can adjourn without the other’s
consent while in session

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 Powers of Congress
> Appointment of Public Officials
> Legislative inquiry and investigation
> Declare the existence of a state of war
> Ratify the country’s international treaties
(Senate)
> Authorize limited emergency powers for the
President

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 Powers of Congress
1. Approve the government budget
2. Undertake projects under the CDF (Countryside
Development Fund)
3. Propose, review, and adopt bills for enactment into
law
4. Overturn a presidential veto with respect to
proposed legislation
5. Allow for referenda
6. Propose amendments to the constitution and call for
a Constitutional Convention
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 Legislative Limitations
Congress may:
 Increase appropriations recommended by the
executive branch
 Pass tax exemptions without the concurrence of a
majority of its members
 Grant titles of nobility
 Pass ex post facto bills
 Pass bills of attainder

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