PHILIPPINE POLITICS and

Governance

LESSON 7:

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

MARICELLE G. BULAN
Subject Teacher
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What is the constitution being used as

guideline in running the country from the time
of Cory Aquino until now?

The 1987 Constitution of the

Philippines
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What are the 3 branches of the government?

1. The Executive Branch

2. The Legislative Branch
3. The Judicial Branch
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Who composes the Executive Branch?

1. The President
2. The Vice President
3. The Cabinets
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Why does that 1987 Philippine Constitution
divided our government into three branches?

For check and balance in the

government
Principle of Check and Balance
Each branch is given the powers with which to
check the others
 President may disapproves bills enacted by Congress
 Congress may reject appointment by the President
 Judiciary may declare unconstitutional laws passed by
Congress
 FACT or FAKE
The Legislative Branch has the
power to amend (change or modify)
all existing laws.

FACT
 FACT or FAKE
There are 24 lawmakers that make up
the Lower House (Congress)

FAKE
24 Senators, 306 Congressmen
 FACT or FAKE
The Legislative branch is under the
supervision of the President of the
Republic of the Philippines
FAKE
(Legislative, Judiciary, and Executive are co-
equal branches of the government)
 FACT or FAKE
All proposed bills must have the
signature of the President to become law.

FAKE
(If the president doesn’t sign or veto (reject) the bill
and it stays within 30 days on his table, the bill
becomes a law as if the president has signed it)
 FACT or FAKE
The Legislative branch of the
government proposes bills that can
become laws.

FACT
 LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The legislative power of the government is vested in a
bicameral body, the Congress of the Philippines.

The House of The Senate of the

Representatives Philippines
(Lower House) (Upper House)
2 KINDS
1.District Representative
2.Party-List Representative
 LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
• Primary function is the creation, enactment,
and amendment of laws.
• Proposed laws may come from senators or
Congressmen
• Bill – is a draft of law presented to
legislation for enactment
 THE SENATE
• The Senate is composed of 24 senators
elected at large
• Natural born citizen, able to read and
write, a registered voter, at least 35 years
old.
 THE SENATE
• The term of office of senators shall be 6
years
• No senator shall serve for more than two
consecutive terms.
THE SENATE

Senate President
Juan Miguel
“Migz” F. Zubiri
 THE CONGRESS
• The Congress is composed of not more than
250 members; 20% Party List
Representatives.
• Represent a district in a province, a province,
or a certain group.
• Natural born citizen, able to read and write, a
registered voter, at least 25 years old.
 THE CONGRESS
• The term of office of Representatives
shall be 3 years
• No senator shall serve for more than
three consecutive terms.
THE CONGRESS

House Speaker
Ferdinand Martin
G. Romualdez
LAW MAKING PROCESS
Preparation First Reading Committee Second
of the Bill Action Reading

Bicameral Senate Action Transmittal Third

Conference to Senate Reading
Committee

Transmittal Presidential Action on Action vetoed

to President Action Approved Bill Bill
LAW MAKING PROCESS
First reading
Reading of the number, title of the measure and name of the
author
Second reading
The bill is read in its entirely, scrutinized, debated upon and
amended when desired
Third reading
Members merely register their votes and eplain them. No
further debate is allowed
3 WAYS WHEN A BILL MAY BECOME A LAW
1. When the President approves the bill by
signing it.
2. When the President vetoes the bill and the
same is overridden by 2/3 votes of all the
members of both Houses.
3. When the President does not communicate his
veto within 30 days after the date of receipt.
THE LAW

A body of rules of conduct or action,

prescribed by a compelling authority
which the people must follow and obey
subject to legal sanctions and
consequences in case of violation
 TYPES OF LAWS
1. Constitution – it is the fundamental or the supreme law of
the land
2. Statute – this is law passed by Congress
3. Jurisprudence – this is law composed of decisions
promulgated by the Supreme Court
4. Treaties – This is agreement entered between and among
the Philippines and other States or other entities.
5. Ordinances – This is passed by local government
POWERS OF THE CONGRESS
Has the power to remove from office impeachable
government official
Has the “sole power to declare the existence of a
state of war”
Can revoke the president’s proclamation of martial
law by a vote of at least a majority of all members of
the Senate and the House.
POWERS OF THE CONGRESS
Congress may authorized the President to exercise
powers to carry out a declared national policy “for a
limited period and subject to restrictions” in times of
war or other national emergency.
Congressional committees can conduct hearing “in aid
of legislation”
 Congress is also involved in the national budget
process
POWERS OF THE CONGRESS
can approve or reject some key appointments made by
the president to government agencies
Congress need to concur with any amnesty granted by
the president. A vote of majority of all members is
needed.
Congress is heavily involved in starting charter change