The legislative branch of the Philippine government consists of two chambers - the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 24 members who serve 6-year terms, while the House has over 250 members who serve 3-year terms. Bills can be introduced by legislators or citizens and must pass through several readings and committees before a law is enacted. The legislative process involves public hearings, debates, and votes before a bill is sent to the President for approval. The two chambers can also pass resolutions to express opinions or policies.

1. Philippine
Politics
Governance
12

2. LIFE PERFORMANCE OUTCOME
I am a conscientious, adept
performer and achiever,
competently pursuing my
mission in life.

3. ESSENTIALPERFORMANCE OUTCOME
Devote focused time to developing the
competencies required for sound
achievement in a chosen field and for
functioning effectively in the face of life’s
diverse challenges.

4. INTENDEDLEARNING OUTCOME
Devote focused time to understand
the roles and powers of the
legislative branch.

5. FUNCTIONS OF THE
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Lesson 9

6. What are the two
chambers of the
legislative branch and
their functions?
Activity:

8. The Two Chambers of Congress
• composed of 24 senators elected
at large
Senate (Upper House)
• qualified candidate (1) must be a
natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
(2) able to read and write; (3) and a
registered voter
• qualified candidate must be at
least 35 years old

9. The Two Chambers of Congress
Senate (Upper House)
• qualified candidate must be a
resident of the Philippines for not
less than two years before election
day
• term of office starts at noon of the 30th
day of June following the election
• will serve for six years
• shall not serve for more than two
consecutive terms

10. The Two Chambers of Congress
House of Representatives (Lower House)
• composed of not more than 250 members,
20% of which is composed of party-list
representatives
• qualified candidate (1) must be a natural-
born citizen of the Philippines; (2) able to
read and write; (3) and a registered voter
• qualified candidate must be at least
25 years old

11. The Two Chambers of Congress
House of Representatives (Lower House)
• qualified candidate must be a resident of
the Philippines for at least one year in
the district where he/she will be elected
(except for party-list representatives)
• term of office starts at noon of the 30th
day of June following the election
• will serve for three years
• shall not hold office for more than three
consecutive terms

12. Primary Function of
the Legislative Branch

13. The creation, enactment, and amendment of
laws

14. Function of Legislative Branch
Proposed laws may come
from the senators or
representatives themselves,
the people they represent
(district, province, or the
party), or the other two
branches of the government.
These proposals are drafted
into a bill, which is a draft of
law presented to legislation
for enactment, by the
approval by Congress and
the president of the
Republic.

15. Howa Law Is
Created/Amended?
Search-Activity:

16. Howa Law Is
Created/Amended?
https://youtu.be/P8TKkQ7FUGw

18. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
 The basic process begins with a bill drafted by a
senator or a representative and filed for the first
reading.
The first reading is where the Senate
President or the Speaker of the
House reads out the title, bill
number, and author’s name, and
then assigns the bill to the proper
Senate or House Committee.

19. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
 The author(s) or the concerned committee will send out an
invitation to various concerned parties, agencies, and
stakeholders for a public hearing of the bill to review the
proposed bill and give their comments during the
deliberations.
The concerned committee can hold a technical working group meeting
for specific changes to the provisions such as proper concepts,
correction of grammar, and deletion or addition of certain phrases
or words.

20. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
The following are some things to consider in reviewing
a bill:
1. Does the bill conform to the provisions of the
Constitution?
2. What is the main issue that the bill is trying to
address?
3. What are the methods that the bill is trying to
propose in order to answer the issue?

21. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
The following are some things to consider in reviewing
a bill:
4. Are there alternative means to address the issue?
5. Who will benefit from the bill if it is enacted into law?
How will the benefits be given? Will this create further
problems?
6. Is there sufficient fund for the law? Where will the
government get the fund needed to enforce the law?

22. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
 After the approval of the bill by the committee members,
a committee report is then filed with its approved version
of the bill to the Committee on Rules for the second
reading.
In the second reading, the author of the bill
or the chairperson of the committee delivers
a sponsorship speech followed by a period
of interpellation. After the interpellation, the
senators or representatives may make some
amendments.

23. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
 The representatives or the senators again vote for
the passage of the bill on second reading.
The final version of the approved bill by both
chambers is then printed for approval. Or if
there are disagreements between the two
chambers on the final version of the bill, a
Bicameral Conference Committee is created to
make the necessary changes before printing
out the final and reconciled version of the bill.

24. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
 Another period of interpellation follows after which the
senators or the representatives vote for the third
reading of the bill.
No amendment shall be
allowed upon the last
reading of a bill.

25. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
 Another period of interpellation follows after which the
senators or the representatives vote for the third
reading of the bill.
No amendment shall be
allowed upon the last
reading of a bill.

26. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
 Upon approval of the final version of the bill by both
chambers, the Senate President and the Speaker of
the House shall sign the final copy now known as the
enrolled bill and send it to the President for approval
and signature.

27. Howa Law Is Created/Amended
 The bill becomes a law upon the signing of the President.
If the House of Representatives or the Senate
still reconsiders the bill, at least two-thirds of all
the members of the House shall vote for the bill
to become a law. If the President fails to act on
the enrolled bill within 30 days upon his/her
receipt thereof, the bill becomes a law as if the
President has signed it.

28. Other Than a Bill, Each Chamber Can Make…
…Resolutions, which “conveys principles and sentiments of the
members of the Senate or the House of Representative”.
Joint Resolutions
 Require the approval of both
chambers of Congress and the
signature of the President
 Have the force and effect of a law if
approved

29. Other Than a Bill, Each Chamber Can Make…
…Resolutions, which “conveys principles and sentiments of the
members of the Senate or the House of Representative”.
Concurrent Resolutions
 Used for matters affecting the operations of both
chambers of Congress
 Must be approved in the same form by both houses
 Are not transmitted to the President for his/her
signature and therefore have no force and effect of a
law

30. Other Than a Bill, Each Chamber Can Make…
…Resolutions, which “conveys principles and sentiments of the
members of the Senate or the House of Representative”.
Simple Resolutions
 Deal with matters entirely within the prerogative of one
chamber of Congress
 Are not referred to the President for his/her signature,
and therefore have no force and effect of a law

31. Analysis Guide
1. What is more beneficial for a democratic country, to vote
for a representative or to allow the people to do the
processes of legislation? Explain your answer.
2. Do you think laws in our country are not properly
enforced? Explain your answer.
3. With the current set-up of legislation, what do you
propose that members of Congress must do to represent
or serve their constituents better?