PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE GROUP 6

THE LEGISLATIVE
The Role and Responsibilities of
the Philippine Senate and the
House of Representatives
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Lawmaking and
the Rule of Law
•Laws are sets of rules or pieces of legislation that are
formulated by the government and are meant to be
followed by all citizens of a state.

•A law is also referred to as statutory law or

legislation, and is made by a legislative body, such as
congress or a parliament.
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•The rule of law is a principle centered on the

belief that a state should be governed by laws
and not by the arbitrary decisions of leaders or
government officials.
•Initiative allows the people to directly propose laws
and even amendments.

•Referendum is a means by which the people are able

to vote to either approve or reject a piece of
legislation.
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The Nature of
Philippine Laws
CONSTITUTION, REPUBLIC ACTS, AND ORDINANCES
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Constitution - is the supreme law of the land, and it is

the basis and foundation of all laws in the
country.

Republic Acts - are laws which create policies to carry

out the principles stated in the
Constitution.

Ordinances - are applicable within the respective

jurisdictions; e.g.. in the barangay, city,
municipal or province.
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The Philippine Congress

•The Philippine Congress is the legislative
branch of the government which has
the power to create laws.

•It is Bicameral composed of two houses: the

Upper House (Senate) and Lower House
(House of Representatives).
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Composition and
Terms of Office

SENATE
• Senate is composed of 24 senators

• Each senator serves a six-year term for a

maximum of two consecutives terms.
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HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

• The House of the Representatives are composed of 250

district representatives and party-list representatives who
are referred to as "congressmen" and "congresswomen."

•The members of the House of Representatives are given

three-year terms, and may serve not more than three
consecutive terms in office.
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Qualifications of a Senator and

Representative
SENATOR
1) Must be natural-born citizen of the Philippines

2) Must be at least 35 years old on the day of the election

3) Must be literate

4) Must be a registered voter

5) Must have lived in the Philippines for at least two years before the
day of the
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REPRESENTATIVE

1) Must be a natural-born Filipino

2) Must be at least 25 years old by the day of the

election

3) Must be literate

4) Must be a registered voter of the district in

which he or she shall be elected and

5) Must have lived in the same district for at least

a year before the day of the elections
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Leadership in the Senate and

House of the Representatives
SENATE
• SENATE PRESIDENT - leads in the Senate sessions and ensures
orders in the proceedings
• SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE - performs the functions of the
Senate President in case of the latter's prolonged absence, incapacity
or removal from office
•MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER - is elected by the majority block
• MINORITY FLOOR LEADER - is elected by the minority political block
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HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

• SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE - is the presiding officer during sessions

and is the key decision-maker in the House
• DEPUTY SPEAKERS - are the second-in-power after the Speaker
•MAJORITY AND MINORITY FLOOR LEADERS - serve as
spokespersons in the discussions on the bills being passed
• SECRETARY GENERAL - secures and manages the House records
contracts, agreements and property
• SERGEANT AT ARMS - is tasked to maintain order and safety.
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PartyList Representatives
• The partylist representatives make up about 20 percent (20%) of the
members of the House of Representatives

• They do not represent a certain geopolitical area of the country

• Partylist representatives come from organizations corresponding to the

various sectors of society such as the youth, women, the labor sector, and
indigenous communities, among others.
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The Legislative Process

1. Authorship and Labeling of the Bill - bills

sponsored by duly-elected lawmakers

2. First Reading - the author and the title of the

bill is read
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3. The Committee Consideration/Action - the appropriate legislative

committee evaluates the bill and may conduct public hearings.

4. Second Reading - this is the stage where the Calendar of

Business takes effect.
Calendar of Business includes sponsorship.

5. Third Reading the bill is printed and distributed to the members

of the House.
Roll Call voting then takes place.

6. Bicameral Conference Committee is organized to reconcile the

differences should there be disagreement.
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Other Roles and Powers of the Philippine Congress

1. Conduct investigations in aid of legislation

2. Approval of the General Appropriations Act or the National

Budget

3. National Board of Canvassers for the Presidential and Vice

Presidential elections, and organizes electoral tribunals to address
protests

4. Commission on Appointments which evaluates and approves the

appointees of the President of the Philippines
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5. Power to declare a state of war and can authorize the President

to exercise certain power during national emergencies

6. Power and authority to approve the articles of impeachment

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QUIZ TIME!
QUIZ TIME!
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THANK YOU!