This document outlines the legislative powers and structure of the Philippine Congress based on the country's constitution. It discusses the bicameral structure consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives. It covers the composition and qualifications for each chamber. It also describes the powers and responsibilities of Congress which include passing legislation, approving presidential appointments, declaring war, and enacting the annual budget. Congressional oversight and the lawmaking process are also summarized.

1. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

3. Classification of power of congress: General legislative power- it is the power to enact laws intended as rules of conduct to govern the relations among individuals or between the individuals or state; Specific powers- they are the powers which the constitution expressly directs or authorizes congress to exercise, e.g. to appropriate money, to impeach the president, to act as a constituent assembly , etc. Implied powers- they are those essential or necessary to the effective exercise of the powers expressly granted, e.g. power to conduct inquiry in aid legislation, to punish for contempt, etc. Inherent powers- they are the powers which are processed and can be exercised be every government as attributes of sovereignty, e.g. power of taxation, eminent domain, and police power.

5. No senator may serve for more than 2 consecutive terms.Qualifications: Natural-born Filipino at least 35 years old on the day of the election; able to read and write; a registered voter ; and A resident of the Philippines for not less than 2 years immediately preceding the election.

7. Term office – 3 years, with a provision for reelection. No member of the house representatives shall serve for more than 3 consecutive terms .Qualifications: Natural – born filipino; at least 25 years old on the day of the election; Able to read and write; except a party-list representative, a registered voter in the district in which he shall be elected; and A resident thereof for not less than 1 year preceding the election.

9. composition: party-list representatives shall constitute 20% of the total membership of the house (50 seats).

10. a political party or organization need to get at least 2% of the total votes cast under the party-list system to get one (1) seat in congress.

13. VII. Session of congress 1. Regular – congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July. The president has the prerogative to appear or grace the opening /convening of congress 2. Special – it takes place when the president calls congress, while it is in recess, to session to consider important legislations as he may designate.

16. Functions: - approve or disapprove appointments made by the president.

17. The chairman of the CA shall not vote, except in case of a tie.

20. Automatic Re-appropriation Definition – in case of failure of congress to pass the annual budget for the ensuing fiscal year, the budget for the preceding fiscal year shall be deemed re-enacted. How a bill becomes a law Bill – a proposal law; a draft of a law submitted to the consideration of legislative body for its adoption.

21. Steps in passing a ball: First Reading; Referral to the appropriate committee; Second Reading; committee; Debates ; Printing & Distribution; Third Reading; Referral to the other House; Submission to joint bicameral Submission to the president

22. When bill may become law; When the president approves the bill by signing it; When he vetoes the bill…and the same is re-passed over his veto by a vote of 2/3 of all the members of both houses; and If the president does not communicate his veto…within 30 days…in which case it shall automatically become a law (pocket veto)

24. XIII. Rules Powers of the people: Initiative – the reserved power of the people to directly propose and enact laws. Referendum - the submission of a law or part thereof passed by congress or a local Legislative body to the people for their approval or disapproval.