The legislative department in the Philippines consists of a bicameral Congress made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 24 senators who serve 6-year terms, while the House has 200 district representatives and 50 party-list representatives who serve 3-year terms. Both chambers are responsible for creating, amending, and repealing laws through bills that must pass three readings in each chamber and be approved by the President or override a presidential veto to become law. Some key powers of Congress include approving the budget, ratifying treaties, and investigating public officials and agencies.

1. THE LEGISLATIVE
DEPARTMENT

2. Overview
Congress: the Legislative Branch
of government in the Philippines
Purpose, functions and structure
of Congress
Constitutional mandates with
respect to Congress

3. The Legislative Branch
From the Latin lex, legis meaning
law
The legislative branch broadly deals
with the making, deliberation over,
enactment, amendment and
repealing of laws

4. Basic Structures
There are two basic structures for
legislative branches of government:
• Unicameral
The legislative branch consists of one
chamber/house
• Bicameral
Legislative power is vested in two
chambers/houses

5. The Philippine Congress
The Philippine Congress is the country’s
legislative department (Art. VI, Sec. 1)
Congress is bicameral
Upper House: Senate
Lower House: House of Representatives
N.B.: Senators are Congressmen

6. Senate
Composition
Qualifications
Term of Office
24 Senators elected at large
Natural-born citizen
At least 35 years old on
election day
Literate (can read and write)
Registered voter
Philippine resident for 2 years
prior to election day
6 years
Maximum: 2 terms

7. House of Representatives
200 district reps, 50 party list
Natural-born citizen
At least 25 years old on
election day
Literate (can read and write)
Registered voter of the district
District resident for 1 year
prior to election day
3 years
Maximum: 3 terms
Composition
Qualifications
Term of Office

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

10. Transparency
Elected Congressmen must:
• Fully disclose their financial and
business interests
• Disclose potential conflicts of interests
that arise in the course of legislation
• Keep from any other office or
employment (appointed or otherwise),
forfeit his/her seat to do so

11. 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

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

13. Powers of Congress
1. Approve the government budget
2. Undertake projects under the CDF
3. Propose, review, and adopt bills for
enactment into law
4. Overturn a Presidential veto with respect
to proposed legislation
5. Allow for referenda
6. Propose amendments to the constitution
and call for a constitutional convention

14. Legislative Limitations
Congress may not:
• Increase appropriations recommended by
the executive branch
• Pass tax exemptions without the
concurrence of a majority of its members
• Grant titles of nobility
• Pass ex post facto bills
• Pass bills of attainder

15. ebate
Ref ommittee
D
How a Bill Becomes Law
~House of Representatives~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
Debate
3rd Reading
APPROVE erral to C President VETO
30 DAY
PERIOD
1st Re
af
d
e
in
rrg
al to Com
2
m
nid
tte
R
e ading
~Senate~
BICAMERAL
COMMITTEE

16. How a Bill Becomes Law
~House of Representatives~
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
Debate
Referral 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
1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading
~Senate~
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
APPROVE President VETO
30 DAY
PERIOD

21. -end-