Art6:TheLegislativeDepartment

Tuesday, September 10,2013

MHH

1:27PM

Thelegislative powerisnotlimitedtolawmaking,itincludes:
1.originalvsdelegated
Originallegislativepower powerresidinginthepeople,throughtheprocessof
initiativeandreferendum
Delegated givenbythesource(thepeople)delegatedtoCongress
2.ordinaryvsconstituent
Ordinary exercise ofthedelegatedpoweroftheCongresstopasslaws
Constituent powerofCongresstoamendorrevisetheConstitution,actingasa
ConstituentAssemblythru3/4votesofallmembers;andiftheyareundecided,
theycancallforaConstitutionalConventionneeding2/3votes;thepeople's
referendumcanalsobecalled needingmajorityvotes
ThepowerofCongresstomakelawsisnotabsolute.Althoughitisplenary(ie.itcan
beexercised byCongressanytime),therearethoseexceptions,like those
prescribedbytheConstitutionitself,orotherlaws,otherwiseknownalsoas
substantivedelegation,whichareprocedurallimitations.Eg.Congresscanmake
lawsaslongasitisnotcontrarytotherightsofthepeople;orbillsmustpass
through3readings;orthatabillbebothapprovedbymajorityofthetwohouses;
Congresscannotpassexpostfactolawsorbillsofattainder.

Section1.

ThelegislativepowershallbevestedintheCongressofthePhilippineswhichshall
consistofaSenateandaHouseofRepresentatives,excepttotheextentreservedto
thepeoplebytheprovisiononinitiativeandreferendum.
BicameralCongress iscomposedoftwohouses,theSenateandRepresentatives.
Butinthepast,underthe1935Constitution,weonlyhadaunicamerallegislative
bodyknownastheNationalAssemblybutitwasamendedin1946tochangeto
bicameral.ButwhenMarcostookover,hechangedagainthelegislatureto
unicameralknownastheinterimBatasangPambansa.Itwasretainedunderthe
1973ConstitutioninthenameofinterimNationalAssembly.Underthe1987
Constitution,itwasbicameral.
UnicameralLegislature

BicameralLegislature

1. Onehouse

1. Twohouses

2. Fewermembership(maxof200)

2. Moremembership(250Reps+24
Senate)

3. Lessexpensivetomaintain

3. Moreexpensive

4. Easytocontrolesp.withatyrant
4. Difficulttocontrol
President,sincethereisnofiscalizer
(pronetocollusion)
thisiswhathappenedduringMarcos'
term,theBPbecamehisstampingpad
RA6735,People'sInitiativeandReferendumAct,providestheproceduresonhow
theoriginalpowercanbeexercised.

Section2.

TheSenateshallbecomposedoftwentyfour Senatorswhoshallbeelectedatlarge
bythequalifiedvotersofthePhilippines,asmaybeprovidedbylaw.
WhatcanbeprovidedbylawhereisthemannerofelectingtheSenators mayitbe
asitistoday,orcouldstatethateachregionshouldberepresentedbyatleastone.
ThemembershipisfixedbytheConstitution.

Section3.

NopersonshallbeaSenatorunlessheisanaturalborncitizenofthePhilippines
and,onthedayoftheelection,isatleastthirtyfiveyearsofage,abletoreadand
write,aregisteredvoter,andaresidentofthePhilippinesfornotlessthantwo
years immediatelyprecedingthedayoftheelection.
FormernaturalborncitizenswhobecomeagainnaturalborncitizensbyvirtueofRA
9225,shouldtheyrunforsenateandforcongress,theymusthavetheother
qualificationsaswellprovidedbylaw.Oncitizenship,thereacquisitionthereison
theassumptionofoffice,notonthedateofelection.Foraslongasheregained
citizenshipbeforeheassumedoffice,whichcommencesonthenoontimeofthe
30thdayofJunefollowingtheelection.Ofcoursehemusthavetherequirementof
residencyof2yearsimmediatelyprecedingtheelection,andotherqualifications.

Section4.

ThetermofofficeoftheSenatorsshallbesixyears andshallcommence,unless
otherwiseprovidedbylaw,atnoononthethirtiethdayofJunenextfollowingtheir
election.NoSenatorshallserveformorethantwoconsecutiveterms.Voluntary
renunciationoftheofficeforanylengthoftimeshallnotbeconsideredasan
interruptioninthecontinuityofhisserviceforthefulltermofwhichhewaselected.

Section5.

(1)TheHouseofRepresentativesshallbecomposedofnotmorethantwohundred
andfiftymembers,unlessotherwisefixedbylaw,whoshallbeelectedfrom
legislativedistrictsapportionedamongtheprovinces,cities,andtheMetropolitan
Manilaareainaccordancewiththenumberoftheirrespectiveinhabitants,andon
thebasisofauniformandprogressiveratio,andthosewho,asprovidedbylaw,
shallbeelectedthroughapartylistsystemofregisterednational,regional,and
sectoralpartiesororganizations.
(2)Thepartylistrepresentativesshallconstitutetwentypercentumofthetotal
numberofrepresentativesincludingthoseunderthepartylist.Forthreeconsecutive
termsaftertheratificationofthisConstitution,onehalfoftheseatsallocatedto
partylistrepresentativesshallbefilled,asprovidedbylaw,byselectionorelection
fromthelabor,peasant,urbanpoor,indigenousculturalcommunities,women,
youth,andsuchothersectorsasmaybeprovidedbylaw,exceptthereligioussector.
(3)Eachlegislativedistrictshallcomprise,asfaraspracticable,contiguous,
compact,andadjacentterritory.Eachcitywithapopulationofatleasttwo
hundredfiftythousand,oreachprovince,shallhaveatleastonerepresentative.
(4)Withinthreeyearsfollowingthereturnofeverycensus,theCongressshallmake
areapportionmentoflegislativedistrictsbasedonthestandardsprovidedinthis
section.
Itisalegislativefunction.ThemembershipwilldependonPROPORTIONATE
REPRESENTATIONwhichisdeterminedeveryafter3yearsasaresultofacensus
beingconducted.
Thepreproclamationcasesormattersrelatingtopreparation,translation,receipt,
custodyandappreciationofelectionreturnsorcertificatesofcanvassare
prohibited.IOWthereisnopreproclamationcontest.
Butifthereisamanifesterrorintheelection return,Comelectakescognizancein
matterslike:
1. Affectingcomposition
2. Proceedingwiththeboardofcanvassers
3. Determiningoftheauthenticityandthedueexecutionofthecertificatesof
canvassasprovidedRA7166asamendedby369
GR:Insofarastheexercise ofthepowerofcongressisconcerned,itisvirtually
plenary,absolute,nolimitations.
X:Thoselimitationsprovidedbytheconstitutionorsubstantiveandprocedural
limitations.
1. SUBSTANTIVELIMITATION e.g.mattersrelatingtotheconstitutionalrights
ofindividualsmustnotbeviolatedintheenactmentoflaws
2. PROCEDURALLIMITATION e.g.nobillshallbecomealawunlessitissigned
bythepresidentandhaspassedthrough3readings.
Kindsoflaw:
1. Derivativelaws asexercisedbycongress,delegateduponelection
2. Originallaws fromthepeoplethemselves
DELEGATIONOFPOWERStothe
1. President Itispartoftheexecutivesrulemakingauthorityinimplementing
andexecutingconstitutionalorstatutorypowers.Thereareconstitutional
powersvestedintheexecutivebranchthatareselfexecuting.Thepresident
canalsomakeruleshavingtheforceandeffectaspartofhisordinance
power.However,hecannotmakeruleswithoutastatuteorconstitutional
provisionasbasis.Therehastobealawauthorizinghimtoexercise the
power.
2. Administrativebodies
3. Localgovernments OrdinancemakingbytheSangguniansintheProvince,
CityandMunicipality
SemavsComelec,July16,2008
CongresscannotvalidlydelegatetoARMM(theyhaveautonomousact
topasslawsprovidedtheydonotaffectnationallaws,andare
applicableonlytotheautonomousregion).Thishassomethingtodo
withcreationofdistrictsintheautonomousregionsbyconsolidating
theplacesinCotabatotobepartofARMM.Thisaffectsthenational
affairs.Toconsolidatecities tobepartofARMMandtocreate
legislative districts,wouldresulttoincreaseinmembershipincongress,
whichisnationalincharacter.SCsaidthatcongresscannotvalidly
delegatetotheARMMregionalassembly,thepowertocreate
legislative districts,thepowertoincrease theallowablemembershipof
thehouseofrepresentativesandtoreapportionlegislative districtsis
vestedincongress.Theotherpointis,itaffectsthenationalaffairs.So
thelawcreatingnewlegislativedistrictsinARMMisunconstitutional.
MontejovsComelec
InrelationtothecreationofBiliranasaprovince,separatefromthe
provinceofLeyteaffectingthereforetheapportionmentofmunicipality
constitutingthelegislativedistrictintheprovinceofLeyte.Itwasthe
Comelecthatapportionedthesemunicipalities.Theyweretransferred
tootherdistrictsinordertobalancethenumberofvotersaccordingto
particulardistrict.ItwasdeclaredunconstitutionalbySCand
complainedofbyMontejo,acandidateinthe2nddistrictofLeyte.SC
saidthattheComelecdoesnothavetheauthority.Thepowerisvested
withcongressbecausetheapportionmentoflegislativedistrictsis
primarilyalegislative function.Infacttherearecitiesthatarecreated
bylawthatareconsideredalegislative district.Nocities willbe
consideredassuchwithoutlegislative enactment.
4. Peopleatlarge
Membersofthelowerhouseare:
1. Representativesfromthelegislativedistricts
2. Representativesfrompartylistsystem AsprovidedforbyRA7941,couldbe
apolitical,nationalpartyorsectoralparty,representingthemarginalized
group.Theyrepresentthegroupthatislessrepresentedinoursectorof
society.
Thelawsaystheywouldcomprise20%ofthetotalmembersofthehouseof
reps.,i.e.atleast50=20%of250members(Buttodate,itispeggedata
maximumof55seats)
TheComelecaccreditsthepartylist.However,itmayremove/cancelonanyof
thefollowinggrounds,amongothers:
a.itisareligioussect
b.itadvocatesviolenceorunlawfulmeanstoseekitsgoal
c.itisreceivingsupportfromanyforeigngovt,party,orgetc.
d.supporterofviolentorillegal group
e.itviolatesorfailstocomplywithlaws,rulesandregulationsrelatingto
elections
BanatvsComelec,Apr21,2009
Thepartiesshallberankedfromhighesttolowest,andthosereceivingatleast2%
ofthetotalvotescastforthepartylistsystemshallbeguaranteedoneseat.
However,the2%requirementfortheadditionalseatsisunconstitutional,thusthe
allocationshouldbebasedonthepercentageofeachparty'svotesmultipliedby
theremainingnumberofseats,stillgivingprioritytothefirstinranks,andsoforth
untiltheseatsarealloccupied.Butinnocaseshallanypartylistoccupymorethan3
seats.
LadladPartylistCase
Thepartylistwasrefusedaccreditationbecausetheyitisimmoral.Atfirstitwas
deniedofmembershipbecausetherewasnoproofthattheyrepresenta
marginalizedgroup,whichwastherequisite.TheSCruledthatAngLadlad,an
organizationcomposedofmenandwomenwhoidentifythemselvesaslesbians,
gays,bisexuals,ortransgenderindividuals(LGBTs),hassatisfiedtheexacting
standardsthatthe"marginalizedandunderrepresentedsectormustdemonstrate
(1)pastsubordinationordiscriminationsufferedbythegroup;(2)animmutableor
distinguishingcharacteristic, attributeorexperience thatdefinethemasadiscreet
group;and(3)presentpoliticaland/oreconomicpowerlessness.AngLadladhas
shownthattheLGBTsectorhasbeenhistoricallydisadvantagedanddiscriminated
againstbecauseofnegativepublicperception,andhasevenalleged actsofviolence
perpetratedagainstmembersoftheLGBTcommunitybyreasonoftheirsexual
orientationandgenderidentity.AnotherreasonalsoistheseparationoftheChurch
andstate,thereshouldbenoconceptofmoralityorreligion,noranymentionof
thebibleasbasis.
AldavavsComelec
ThisisthecreationoftheCityofMalolosasahighlyurbanizedcityinordertobe
consideredalegislative district.Theirbasiswasaprojectedpopulationof250,000,
notactualbutprojected.TheSCruledthatthecityofMalolosisnotqualifiedto
havelegislativedistrictofitsownunderSec.5,Par.3,Art.6oftheConstitution.It
hastobeactualbeforetheelection,notjustprojected.
DinagatProvinceCase
Therewasaquestiononwhetheritshouldbeconsideredasonelegislative district
forlackoftherequirementonpopulation.Thatisofnomomentifitisaprovince.
Butifitisacityithastobenolessthan250,000populationinordertohaveatleast
onelegislative district.
AtongPaglaumInc.vsComelec
Jdjdd

Section6.

NopersonshallbeaMemberoftheHouseofRepresentativesunlessheisanatural
borncitizenofthePhilippinesand,onthedayoftheelection,isatleasttwentyfive
yearsofage,abletoreadandwrite,and,exceptthepartylistrepresentatives,a
registeredvoterinthedistrictinwhichheshallbeelected,andaresidentthereoffor
aperiodofnotlessthanoneyearimmediatelyprecedingthedayoftheelection.
GR:Atleast25yearsoldonthedayofelection.
X:ThosepartylistrepresentativesrepresentingtheYouthsectorshallbeatmost30
yearsoldduringthetermofoffice.
ThePartylistrepsneednotbearesidentoftheplaceofestablishmentofthe
organization,aslongasheliveswithinthePhilippinesforatleast1yearpriorto
election.Theymustalsobebonafidemembersoftheorganizationforatleast90
dayspriortoelection.
Thepartylistmustnothavehadachangeinpolitical orpartyaffiliationwithin6
monthspriortoelection.

Section7.

TheMembersoftheHouseofRepresentativesshallbeelectedforatermofthree
years whichshallbegin,unlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,atnoononthethirtieth
dayofJunenextfollowingtheirelection.NoMemberoftheHouseof
Representativesshallserveformorethanthreeconsecutiveterms.Voluntary
renunciationoftheofficeforanylengthoftimeshallnotbeconsideredasan
interruptioninthecontinuityofhisserviceforthefulltermforwhichhewaselected.

Section8.

Unlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,theregularelectionoftheSenatorsandthe
MembersoftheHouseofRepresentativesshallbeheldonthesecondMondayof
May.

Section9.

IncaseofvacancyintheSenateorintheHouseofRepresentatives,aspecial
electionmaybecalledtofillsuchvacancyinthemannerprescribedbylaw,butthe
SenatororMemberoftheHouseofRepresentativesthuselectedshallserveonlyfor
theunexpiredterm.
TheSenateshallbeacontinuingbody,withonly12Senatorsbeingelectedevery3
years,servingatermof6years.
Election:
1. Regular
2. Special ThishappensintheeventavacancyoccursintheHouseofSenateor
intheHouseofRepresentatives.Butthecallingforaspecialelection is
discretionaryonthehouseconcerned.ItisgovernedbyRA6645.Butsuch
electedmemberoftheHousewillonlyservefortheunexpiredtermofhis
predecessor.However,nospecialelection willbeconductedifthevacancy
occurslessthan18monthsbeforethenextelection.Theywilljusthaveto
waitforthenextelection,or1yearinthehouseofrepresentatives,because
itisveryexpensivetoholdaspecialelection.

Section10.

ThesalariesofSenatorsandMembersoftheHouseofRepresentativesshallbe
determinedbylaw.Noincreaseinsaidcompensationshalltakeeffectuntilafterthe
expirationofthefulltermofalltheMembersofSenateandtheHouseof
Representativesapprovingsuchincrease.
Ifitisadecreaseofthesalary,itwouldbeeffectiveimmediately.However,this
wouldnotincludeallowances,asthetwoaredifferent.

Section11.

ASenatororMemberoftheHouseofRepresentativesshall,inalloffenses
punishablebynotmorethansixyearsimprisonment,beprivilegedfromarrestwhile
theCongressisinsession.NoMembershallbequestionednorbeheldliableinany
otherplaceforanyspeechordebateintheCongressorinanycommitteethereof.
PERKSOFCONGRESS:CONGRESSIONALIMMUNITIES
Thereareonlytwolegislativeimmunities:
1. Freedomofspeech meansthatonecannotbesuedforcivildamagesorlibel
orslander.Whateverstatementshemade,whilethecongressisinsession,if
itisrelationtothematterthatisthesubjecttodiscussion,heisimmunefrom
anysuitrelatingtohisspeechessothathecandiscussanddebatewith
anyoneforanyissuesrelevantsubjecttolegislativeenactment.However,this
doesnotincludedisorderlybehavior.Immunityislimitedonlytociviland
criminalliability.Butnotadministrativeliability.Thisextendstocommittee
hearingsandevenagentsofthelegislatorsintheirreports.Itisnotonly
limitedtooralutterances.Anythingthatiscommunicativeinnatureis
includedintheimmunity
2. Freedom fromarrest immunityfromarrestforoffensespunishablebynot
morethan6yearsimprisonment.Foraslongascongressisinsession,
whetherornotthememberisactuallyattendingthesession,heisimmune
fromarrest.TNthatinsomecases,thisisaprivilege andawayofan
exceptiononlywhenoneisallowedtoenjoythisimmunitywithoutany
conditionorisabsolute.
Jalosjoscase
JalosjoswasconvictedandwasconfirmedbySC.Thenhewaselectedasa
congressman.Hesaidthatsuchelection tantamounttothepeoplecondoning
hiscrime.Hewantedtobeescortedbythejailguardsinorderforhimto
attendthesessionincongress.Hesaidthatbeingacongressman,heis
practicallyexoneratedbyhiselectiontotheoffice.Hesaidalsothatby
PARLIAMENTARYIMMUNITYwhichisthefreedomfromarrestanddetention,
beingamember,heshouldenjoythatprivilege.SCsaid,thehistoryofthat
provisiongrantingsenatorsandcongressmanimmunityfromarrestand
detentionshowsthattheprivilegehasalwaysbeengrantedinarestrictive
sense.Therecannotbeapreferencetocongressman,otherwisetherewillbe
aviolationofequalprotectionclauseintheenforcementofthecriminallaws.
TrillanesvsPimentel
Trillanesinsistedthathestillhadthepresumptionofinnocence.Heisnotlike
Jalosjoswhohasbeenconvicted.Hiscasewasstillpendinghoweveritwas
notbailable,asheischargedwithcoupdetat.SCsaidthatthereisno
distinctionbetweenthetwocases.Thepresumptionofinnocenceincludethe
enjoymentofprivilegesandrightsprovidedbylaw.SoSCsaid,the
presumptionofinnocencedoesnotcarrywithitthefullenjoymentofcivil
andpoliticalrights.Followingtheequalprotectionoflaws,thisimmunity
fromarrestanddetentioncannotbeavailedofbythesenator.

Section12.

AllMembersoftheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesshall,uponassumption
ofoffice,makeafulldisclosureoftheirfinancialandbusinessinterests.Theyshall
notifytheHouseconcernedofapotentialconflictofinterestthatmayarisefromthe
filingofaproposedlegislationofwhichtheyareauthors.

Section13.

NoSenatororMemberoftheHouseofRepresentativesmayholdanyotherofficeor
employmentintheGovernment,oranysubdivision,agency,orinstrumentality
thereof,includinggovernmentownedorcontrolledcorporationsortheir
subsidiaries,duringhistermwithoutforfeitinghisseat.Neithershallhebe
appointedtoanyofficewhichmayhavebeencreatedortheemolumentsthereof
increasedduringthetermforwhichhewaselected.

Section14.

NoSenatororMemberoftheHouseofRepresentativesmaypersonallyappearas
counselbeforeanycourtofjusticeorbeforetheElectoralTribunals,orquasijudicial
andotheradministrativebodies.Neithershallhe,directlyorindirectly,beinterested
financiallyinanycontractwith,orinanyfranchiseorspecialprivilegegrantedby
theGovernment,oranysubdivision,agency,orinstrumentalitythereof,including
anygovernmentownedorcontrolledcorporation,oritssubsidiary,duringhisterm
ofoffice.HeshallnotinterveneinanymatterbeforeanyofficeoftheGovernment
forhispecuniarybenefitorwherehemaybecalledupontoactonaccountofhis
office.
Prohibitions:
1. Youcannotbeappointedtootherpositionsofthegovernment.Unlessyou
resign.Ifyouareappointedtoanofficethatisinconsistenttobeingmember
ofcongress,youareconsideredtohaveforfeitedyourseat.Butinother
cases,likeforbiddenappointments,ifyouareresponsibleforthecreationof
thatoffice,orincrease initssalaryorallowances,youcannotbeappointedto
thatoffice,evenifyouresign.
LibanvsGordon,Jul15,2009
GordonisalsoachairmanofRedCross.Therewasaquestiononhis
appointmentthatheshouldvacatehispositionassenatorhavingbeen
appointed.SCsaid,Gordondidnotrelinquishhissenatorialpostdespitehis
electiontoandacceptanceofthepostofchairmanofthePhilippineRed
Cross.BecausePNRCisaprivateorganizationmerelyperformingapublic
function.PNRCchairmanisnotagovernmentofficialoremployee.Notbeing
agovernmentoffice,thePNRCchairmanshipmaybeheldbyanyindividual
includingasenator,oramemberofthehouseofcongress.PNRCis
autonomous,neutralandindependentfromthePhilippinegovernment.itisa
voluntaryorganizationthatdoesnothavegovernmentassetsanddoesnot
receiveanyappropriationfromcongress.Gordonmayserveaschairman
withoutgivinguphisposition.
2. Appearingascounselbeforeanycourtofoffice,electoral tribunal,quasi
judicialandadministrativebodies.Anycourtofjusticeincludesappellate
courts.Theprohibitionisonlyagainstpersonalappearance.Thisdoesnot
includeconsultationandsigningpleadingsincasespendinganycourtsof
justice.
3. Becomingfinanciallyinterestedinanycontractsofgovernment
4. OnecannotinterveneinanymatterbeforeanyofficeofthegovernmentThis
ispartoftransparencyandpublicdisclosure.

Section15.

TheCongressshallconveneonceeveryyearonthefourthMondayofJulyforits
regularsession,unlessadifferentdateisfixedbylaw,andshallcontinuetobein
sessionforsuchnumberofdaysasitmaydetermineuntilthirtydaysbeforethe
openingofitsnextregularsession,exclusiveofSaturdays,Sundays,andlegal
holidays.ThePresidentmaycallaspecialsessionatanytime.

Section16.

(1)TheSenateshallelectitsPresident andtheHouseofRepresentatives,its
Speaker,byamajorityvoteofallitsrespectiveMembers.EachHouseshallchoose
suchotherofficersasitmaydeemnecessary.
(2)AmajorityofeachHouseshallconstituteaquorumtodobusiness,butasmaller
numbermayadjournfromdaytodayandmaycompeltheattendanceofabsent
Membersinsuchmanner,andundersuchpenalties,assuchHousemayprovide.
(3)EachHousemaydeterminetherulesofitsproceedings,punishitsMembersfor
disorderlybehavior,and,withtheconcurrenceoftwothirdsofallitsMembers,
suspendorexpelaMember.Apenaltyofsuspension,whenimposed,shallnot
exceedsixtydays.
(4)EachHouseshallkeepaJournalofitsproceedings,andfromtimetotimepublish
thesame,exceptingsuchpartsasmay,initsjudgment,affectnationalsecurity;and
theyeasandnaysonanyquestionshall,attherequestofonefifthoftheMembers
present,beenteredintheJournal.EachHouseshallalsokeepaRecordofits
proceedings.
(5)NeitherHouseduringthesessionsoftheCongressshall,withouttheconsentof
theother,adjournformorethanthreedays,nortoanyotherplacethanthatin
whichthetwoHousesshallbesitting.
Quorum=50%+1.However,ithastobebasedonthecoercivepowerofthehouse
concerned,wherethehousehasthepowertocompelthemembertoattendthe
sessionevenifheissick.E.g.Youhave24membersinthehouseofthesenate.One
ofwhomisinthehospitalandoneisonvacationabroad.Thequorumthenis23.A
quorumisnotbasedonthetotalmembershipbuttothememberswhomaybe
coercedorcompelledtoattendthesession.Thatincludestheoneinthehospital
becausehecanstillbecoercedinastretcher.Butforonewhoisabroad,hewillnot
beconsidered.Becauseevenifcongresswantstoandissueawarrantofarrest,our
warrantisnothingabroadbecausecongresshasnoauthorityoutsideourterritory.
Amajorityvoteofthequorumisneededtopassalaw.
SHIFTINGMAJORITYPRINCIPLE:
Astheattendanceincreases,thatstartswiththequorum,thereisalsoanincreased
numberofmajorityinthepassingofthelaw.Itispossiblethatatthestart,there
were13present.Andtherefore,all thatisneededtoapprovethelawismajorityof
13.Butinthecourseofthesession,othermembersarrivedandwehavenow20,
thenthemajorityrequiredtoapprovealegislative enactmentwillalsoincrease.
Thediscipline ofthemembersofthecongressisexclusivetothehouseconcerned.
2/3votesofthemembersforthehouseconcernedisneededtoexpel amember.
Thereisonlyoneground,thatisdisorderlybehavior,unlikeinimpeachmentwhere
thereare6grounds.Thedefinitionifdisorderlybehaviorisdiscretionaryin
congress.
GR:Thisisnotsubjecttoreviewbycourts.
X:Whenitisunderjudicialreview. for abuse of power
Penaltiescouldbe:
1. Suspension maximumof60days
2. Expulsion

Section17.

TheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesshalleachhaveanElectoralTribunal
whichshallbethesolejudgeofallcontestsrelatingtotheelection,returns,and
qualificationsoftheirrespectiveMembers.EachElectoralTribunalshallbe
composedofnineMembers,threeofwhomshallbeJusticesoftheSupremeCourtto
bedesignatedbytheChiefJustice,andtheremainingsixshallbeMembersofthe
SenateortheHouseofRepresentatives,asthecasemaybe,whoshallbechosenon
thebasisofproportionalrepresentationfromthepoliticalpartiesandthepartiesor
organizationsregisteredunderthepartylistsystemrepresentedtherein.Thesenior
JusticeintheElectoralTribunalshallbeitsChairman.

Section18.

ThereshallbeatheSenate,asexofficioCommissiononAppointmentsconsistingof
thePresidentofChairman,twelveSenators,andtwelveMembersoftheHouseof
Representatives,electedbyeachHouseonthebasisofproportionalrepresentation
fromthepoliticalpartiesandpartiesororganizationsregisteredunderthepartylist
systemrepresentedtherein.ThechairmanoftheCommissionshallnotvote,except
incaseofatie.TheCommissionshallactonallappointmentssubmittedtoitwithin
thirtysessiondaysoftheCongressfromtheirsubmission.TheCommissionshallrule
byamajorityvoteofalltheMembers.

Section19.

TheElectoralTribunalsandtheCommissiononAppointmentsshallbeconstituted
withinthirtydaysaftertheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesshallhavebeen
organizedwiththeelectionofthePresidentandtheSpeaker.TheCommissionon
AppointmentsshallmeetonlywhiletheCongressisinsession,atthecallofits
ChairmanoramajorityofallitsMembers,todischargesuchpowersandfunctions
asarehereinconferreduponit.
AdjunctofficesconsideredasextensionsofCongressare:
1. ElectoralTribunal
a. SET SenateElectoral Tribunal
b. HRET HouseofRepresentativesElectoral Tribunal
c. Proportionalrepresentation,e.g.Youhavetwosenatorsfromthe
Liberalparty,so2/24 x6=numberofrepresentationinthetribunal
d. Despitethependencyofadisqualificationcase,ifthecandidatewas
electedbutnoproclamationhasbeenmadeyet,itisstillwithinthe
jurisdictionofComelec.However,iftherehasbeenaproclamation
already,thentheprotestantshouldfileaquowarrantoproceedingin
theElectoral Tribunal.Aprotestant isthedefeatedcandidateagainst
thewinningcandidatewhohasbeenproclaimedandhadassumed
officeasamemberofcongress.
CodillavsDeVenecia
Codillawasaccusedofanelectionoffense.Despitetheresolutionofthe
divisionofComelecdisqualifyinghim,hewontheelection.Becauseof
thedisqualification,hisvoteswerenotcountedandhisrivalwas
proclaimedasthedulyelected. However,whiletheelectionwason
going,hewasabletofilehisappealseasonablywiththeComelecen
bancandthedecisionwasreversed.CodillawenttotheSpeakerofthe
House,deVeneciatoaskhimtolethimassumeofficebecausehewas
thedulyelectedrepresentativeofLeyteperresolutionoftheComelec
enbanc.DeVeneciatoldhimtofilehisQuoWarrantoproceedingsin
HRETbecauseLocsinhasalreadybeenproclaimedasamemberofthe
house.However,theSCruledotherwise,becausetheproclamationof
Locsinwaspremature.Therewasanappealseasonablyfiled,therefore,
theComelecwasneverdivestedofhisjurisdictionoverthe
disqualificationcase.Sincetheproclamationisinvalid,itisasifno
memberhasbeenproclaimedassuch.Soitshouldhavebeenthe
Comelectorecognizethatheisamember,noneedtofileaQuo
Warrantoproceedings.
Limkaichongcase
SheranascongressmaninNegrosOriental.Adisqualificationcase
ensuedagainst.Pendingitsresolution,theComelec,intheexercise of
itsquasilegislativefunction,pronouncedthruaresolutionthatall
thosewhohavewontheelectionwithoutprejudicetothependencyof
disqualificationcaseshouldbeproclaimedasthedulyelected
candidate.Limkaichonghavingwonintheelection,wasproclaimed.
Paras,theprotesteewenttotheSCsincethedisqualificationcasewas
dismissed(seeCitizenshipnotes).Comelecsaidtheyweredivestedof
thejurisdictionhavingproclaimedheralready.Paras'recoursewould
betotheHRET.
ZubirivsComelec
PimentelwenttoSCandaskedforaninjunctiontostopthe
proclamationofZubiribecausehewantedtogetthetaintedelection
returnsfromtheARMM.ThenZubiriwasproclaimedasdulyelected
senator.SCsaidhattheydonothavejurisdictiononthematter
anymorebecausethematterofdeterminingelectioncontestrelatingto
electionreturnsinqualificationisexclusivetotheelectoraltribunal.In
whichcase,itiswiththeSET.Itisnotamatterofadministrative
proceedings.ItistheSETwhichhasexclusive jurisdictiontoactonthe
complaintofPimentelinvolvingasitdoesacontestrelatingtothe
electionofZubiri,nowamemberofthesenate.
(Trivia:Inthe2007elections,ZubirioutvotedPimentelby21,519,
attributabletotheformer'sheavywininMaguindanao.Zubiriresigned
onAug3,2011,weeksafterARMMGovAmpatuanandtheElection
supervisorrevealedtheelectionirregularities. Aweeklater,SET
proclaimedPimentelasthe12thsenatorinthe2007elections.)
e. GR:TheElectoralTribunal'sdecisionisfinalandexecutory,andsubject
toNOappeal.
X:Whenthereisabuseofdiscretionamountingtolackorinexcessof
jurisdiction,inwhichcasetheSCcanintervene.
2. CommissiononAppointments
a. Toactontheappointmentsoftheff:
i. Headsofexecutivedepartment
ii. MembersofAFPFromCaptaintoCorporalinthenavyorColonel
toGeneralintheARMY
iii. Officerswhoseappointmentarevestedinthepresidentbythe
constitution
Comeleccommissioner
COAcommissioner
Civilservicecommissioner
RegularmembersoftheJudicialandBarCouncil
iv. Ambassadors,consulsandotherpublicministers
b. Appointmentcouldeitherbe:
i. Temporary/inactingcapacity
ii. Permanent/officialseat
Presnominatestheappointee,submitsthistotheCA
CAcanapprove,appointmenttakeseffector
CAcandisapprove,Presbarredfromnominatingthesame
candidateor
CAignores,after30days,appointmentisbypassed,no
categoricaldisapproval,soPrescannominatethesame
appointee
iii. Recessappointment effectivelyimmediatelyuponqualification
ofappointee;permanent;validuntildisapprovedbytheCAupon
resumptionofsession(untilnextadjournmentofsession
expirationofterm)

Section20.

TherecordsandbooksofaccountsoftheCongressshallbepreservedandbeopen
tothepublicinaccordancewithlaw,andsuchbooksshallbeauditedbythe
CommissiononAuditwhichshallpublishannuallyanitemizedlistofamountspaid
toandexpensesincurredforeachMember.
Journal transcriptofproceedings;recordinverbatim;conclusiveproofwith
regardstoitscontents
1. Alltheyeasandnaysofvotesinbills
2. VetomessageofthePresident
3. VoteonthevetoofthePresident
4. Alltheyeasandnaysrequestedby1/5ofthemembersofthehousetobe
enteredinthejournal
Enrolled/Engrossedbill conclusiveproofofdueenactmentofbills
Journal<Enrolledbill,incaseofconflict
USvsPons
Thisaboutthesubstances.One,asregardstotheconclusivenessofthejournal,and
theanotheroneistheconclusivenessoftheenrolledbill.Thishassomethingtodo
withthetimewhenthebillwaspassedbecausetherewasanallegationthatthebill
wassignedafterthetermofoffice.Butitwasstatedinthejournalthatitwas
passedbefore12midnight.Sowhichofthetwowillprevailasfarasthecourtis
concerned?ItshouldbethejournalbecauseaccordingtotheSC,thememoryof
manmayfailbutdefinitelynotthatwhatwasrecordedinthejournal.
MoralesvsSubido
Theenrolledbill usestheterm'ureaformaldehyde'insteadofwhatthelegislature
reallyintended'ureaandformaldehyde'.Theenrolledbillisconclusiveuponthe
courtsasregardsthetenorofthemeasurepassedbyCongressandapprovedbythe
President. Iftherehasbeenanymistakeintheprintingofthebillbeforeitwas
certifiedbytheofficersofCongressandapprovedbytheExecutive,theremedyis
byamendmentorcurativelegislation,notbyjudicialdecree.

Section21.

TheSenateortheHouseofRepresentativesoranyofitsrespectivecommitteesmay
conductinquiriesinaidoflegislationinaccordancewithitsdulypublishedrulesof
procedure.Therightsofpersonsappearingin,oraffectedby,suchinquiriesshallbe
respected.

Section22.

Theheadsofdepartmentsmay,upontheirowninitiative,withtheconsentofthe
President,orupontherequestofeitherHouse,astherulesofeachHouseshall
provide,appearbeforeandbeheardbysuchHouseonanymatterpertainingto
theirdepartments.WrittenquestionsshallbesubmittedtothePresidentofthe
SenateortheSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentativesatleastthreedaysbefore
theirscheduledappearance.Interpellationsshallnotbelimitedtowrittenquestions,
butmaycovermattersrelatedthereto.WhenthesecurityoftheStateorthepublic
interestsorequiresandthePresidentsostatesinwriting,theappearanceshallbe
conductedinexecutivesession.
ExtrinsicAids
1. LegislativeInquiry inaidoflegislation
anexpertorresourcepersonisinvitedtoshedlightorgiveinformation/
knowledgeofwhatcouldbemadeintoalaw
powerofCongresstobeeffectiveinlawmaking
Nerivs(Proximitytest) executiveprivilege,asdefinedbytheSCrulingsonly
onlythePresidentorhisExecSecretarycaninvokeExecutivePrivilege,all
otherscanbecompelledtoattend(Cabinetmembersarecompelledto
attendevenwithouttheconsentofthePresident)
subjudicerule anyonecannotmakecommentsonanycasependingin
court,foritmayinfluencethedecisionoftheCourt
rulesofproceedingsmustbepublished
2. QuestionHour gettinginfofromtheCabinetmembers,withtheconsentof
thePresident;partofoversightfunctionofCongress
CongressmayrefusetherequestoftheCabinetmembersforthelatterto
appearinaQuestionHour

Section23.

(1)TheCongress,byavoteoftwothirdsofbothHousesinjointsessionassembled,
votingseparately,shallhavethesolepowertodeclaretheexistenceofastateof
war.
(2)Intimesofwarorothernationalemergency,theCongressmay,bylaw,
authorizethePresident,foralimitedperiodandsubjecttosuchrestrictionsasit
mayprescribe,toexercisepowersnecessaryandpropertocarryoutadeclared
nationalpolicy.UnlesssoonerwithdrawnbyresolutionoftheCongress,such
powersshallceaseuponthenextadjournmentthereof.

Section24.

Allappropriation,revenueortariffbills,billsauthorizingincreaseofthepublicdebt,
billsoflocalapplication,andprivatebills,shalloriginateexclusivelyintheHouseof
Representatives,buttheSenatemayproposeorconcurwithamendments
Lawmakingprocess
1. CalendaringbytheSecretaryoftheHouseforfirstreading,onlytitleisread
2. AssignmenttoproperCommittee(couldbelaidonthetableiftheCommittee
doesn'tlike)
3. Submissionintheplenarysessionforsecondreading,readingoftitlewiththe
completeprovisions
4. Debateanddiscussions
5. Printing
6. Thirdreadingandvoting
Thisprocesscouldbedonesimultaneouslyinthetwohousesoroneaftertheother.
Incaseofconflict,thiswillbesortedbytheBicameralCommittee.
Onesubjectonetitlerule
Mustundergothreereadingsonseparatedays,unlessitiscertifiedurgentbythe
President.Printingmybedispensedwith,butneverthethreereadings.
GR:ThePresidenthastovetothebillinitsentirety.
X:Hecanvetoonlycertainprovisionsiftheyareinappropriationbills,revenuebills,
tariffbills;orinappropriateprovisions
MustcomefromHouseofReps:
1. Appropriationbills basedonthebudgetsubmittedbythePres.Congresscan
decrease,butNEVERincreaseit.AutomaticreenactmentofGeneral
AppropriationAct.
a. GeneralAppropriation
b. Special sourceofrevenueandthepublicpurposemustbespecified
c. Limitations:Prohibitionoftransferfromoneclassificationtoanother
(jugglingoffunds),unlesstherearesavings(supplementalbudget)then
theinsufficiencyofthefundscouldbeaugmented.Appropriationis
discretionaryupontheCongress,buttheycannotreducetheprevious
year'sbudgetoftheSC.
SuplicovsRomulo
InZTEscandal,theyborrowedmoneytobeplacedtothegeneralfund
forapublicpurpose.Insteadofplacingittothegeneralfund,they
appliedtheproceedsoftheloandirectlyforthepurposewhichiswas
made.SCdeclaredsuchdisbursementwithoutthecorresponding
appropriationbyCongressasunconstitutional.
2. Revenue/Tariff
3. Billsauthorizingincreaseofpublicdebt
4. Privatebills
5. Billsoflocalapplication

Section28.

(1)Theruleoftaxationshallbeuniformandequitable.TheCongressshallevolvea
progressivesystemoftaxation.
(2)TheCongressmay,bylaw,authorizethePresidenttofixwithinspecifiedlimits,
andsubjecttosuchlimitationsandrestrictionsasitmayimpose,tariffrates,import
andexportquotas,tonnageandwharfagedues,andotherdutiesorimpostswithin
theframeworkofthenationaldevelopmentprogramoftheGovernment.
(3)Charitableinstitutions,churchesandpersonagesorconventsappurtenant
thereto,mosques,nonprofitcemeteries,andalllands,buildings,andimprovements,
actually,directly,andexclusivelyusedforreligious,charitable,oreducational
purposesshallbeexemptfromtaxation.
(4)Nolawgrantinganytaxexemptionshallbepassedwithouttheconcurrenceofa
majorityofalltheMembersoftheCongress

Section29.

(1)NomoneyshallbepaidoutoftheTreasuryexceptinpursuanceofan
appropriationmadebylaw.xxx
GR:Everygovtdisbursementhastohaveanappropriation(authorizationfor
payment)
X:Automaticappropriation Ifweborrowedloans,thespecificamounttobepaid
onscheduleddatesneednotrequireanappropriation,sincetheyareautomatically
carriedinthenextyear'sbudget.

Section30.

NolawshallbepassedincreasingtheappellatejurisdictionoftheSupremeCourtas
providedinthisConstitutionwithoutitsadviceandconcurrence.
FabianvsDesierto
FabianfiledanAdministrativecaseagainstDesiertowhicheventuallyledanappeal
totheOmbudsman whoinhibitedhimself andlaterthecaseledtothedeputy
Ombudsman.ThedeputyruledinfavorofAgustinandhesaidthedecisionisfinal
andexecutory.FabianappealedthecasetotheSC.SheaverredthatSection27of
RepublicActNo.6770(OmbudsmanActof1989) pertinentlyprovidesthatinall
administrativedisciplinary cases,orders,directivesordecisionsoftheOfficeofthe
OmbudsmanmaybeappealedtotheSupremeCourt.TheSCruledsuchas
unconstitutional,sinceitdidnothavetheSC'sconcurrence.

Section32.

TheCongressshall,asearlyaspossible,provideforasystemofinitiativeand
referendum,andtheexceptionstherefrom,wherebythepeoplecandirectlypropose
andenactlawsorapproveorrejectanyactorlaworpartthereofpassedbythe
Congressorlocallegislativebodyaftertheregistrationofapetitionthereforsigned
byatleasttenpercentumofthetotalnumberofregisteredvoters,ofwhichevery
legislativedistrictmustberepresentedbyatleastthreepercentumofthe
registeredvotersthereof.
RA6735 InitiativeandReferendumActprovidesforsuchsystem.However,the
provisionsoninitiativetoamendtheConstitutionweredeclaredbytheSCas
inadequate,thereforevoid(seeSantiagovsComelec).