The document discusses the legislative branch of the Philippine government. It notes that the legislative branch is responsible for making, deliberating on, amending, and repealing laws. The Philippine Congress is the country's bicameral legislative department, composed of the Senate and House of Representatives. Senators serve 6-year terms and Representatives serve 3-year terms. The document outlines the powers of Congress and the process for how a bill becomes a law, which involves readings in both the House and Senate and approval by the President.

1. DEP ARTMENARTICLE IV: LEGISLATIVE
PREPARED BY RAIZZA P. CORPUZ

2. The Legislative Branch
From the Latin lex, legis meaning law
broadly deals with:
1. making
2. deliberation over enactment
3. amendment
4. repealing of laws

3. The Philippine Congress
(Art. VI, Sec. 1)
The Philippine Congress is the country’s legislative
department
Congress is bicameral
Upper House: Senate
Lower House: House of Representatives

4. Senators and Representatives
 When we say Congress, we refer to both houses of the
legislative branch of government in the Philippines.
- Congressmen in the Upper House are called Senators
- Congressmen in the Lower House are called
Representatives
 Both Congressmen

5. Definition of Legislative Power:
The authority to make laws and to alter
or repeal them.

6. Sections 2-4. SENATE , Composition &
Qualification
24 senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines, as
may be provided by law.
1. Natural-born citizen;
2. At least 35 years old on the day of election;
3. Able to read and write;
4. A registered voter; and
5. Philippine resident for at least 2 years immediately
preceding the day of the election.

7. Term of Office:
 6 years, commencing (unless otherwise provided by law) at noon, 30
June next following their election.
 Maximum: 2 terms
Term Limitations:
 No Senator shall serve for more than 2 consecutive terms.
 Voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time shall not be
considered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for
the full term for which he was elected.

8. In Case of Vacancy…
Vacancy can be filled through regular election
Special elections can be called for the purpose of
filling the vacancy
In either circumstance, the one elected merely sits for
the unexpired term

9. 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

10. Sections 5-7. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
Composition:
 Not more than 25 members, unless otherwise fixed by law; and
 Party-list Representative
 Election of 250 members
 Qualifications
 Natural born citizen of the Philippines;
 At least 25 years old on the day of the election;
 Able to read and write;
 Registered voter in the district he seeks to represent; and
 A resident of such district for at least one year immediately preceding the day of the election.

11. TERM of OFFICE and Term Limitations
 Each member of the House shall be elected for a term of three (3) years which
shall commence (unless otherwise provided for by law) at noon on 30 June next
following their election.
 Voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time shall not be considered as
an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was
elected.
LIMITATION: No member of the House of Representatives shall serve for more than
three (3) consecutive terms.

12. Privileges
Congressmen have two parliamentary privileges while Congress is in
session:
1. Privilege from arrest
 Immunity from offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment
2. Privilege of speech and debate
 Immunity from libel and slander

13. Powers of Congress
1. Appointment of Public Officials
2. Legislative inquiry and investigation
3. Declare the existence of a state of war
4. Ratify the country’s international treaties (Senate)
5. Authorize limited emergency powers for the
President

14. Powers of Congress
6. Approve the government budget
7. Undertake projects under the CDF
8. Propose, review, and adopt bills for enactment into law
9. Overturn a Presidential veto with respect to proposed legislation
10. Allow for referenda
11. Propose amendments to the constitution and call for a constitutional convention

15. Legislative Limitations
Congress may not:
1. Increase appropriations recommended by the executive branch
2. Pass tax exemptions without the concurrence of a majority of its members
3. Grant titles of nobility
4. Pass ex post facto bills ("from after the action" or "after the facts") is a law that
retroactively changes )
5. Pass bills of attainder (bill of pains and penalties) is an act of a legislature
declaring a person or group of persons guilty of some crime and punishing
them without a trial)

16. ~House of Representatives~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
DebateReferral to Committee

17. Debate
Referral to
Committee
How a Bill Becomes Law
~House of Representatives~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
~Senate~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading

18. How a Bill Becomes Law
~House of Representatives~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
~Senate~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
BICAMERAL COMMITTEE

19. How a Bill Becomes Law
~House of Representatives~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
~Senate~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
President

20. How a Bill Becomes Law
~House of Representatives~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
PresidentAPPROVE VETO
30 DAY PERIOD

21. References
 Political Law, Nachura
 1987 Constitution, de Leon
 Some excerpt from SLIDE SHARE and GOOGLE IMAGES