Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Overview
Congress: the Legislative Branch of government in the Philippines Purpose, functions and structure of Congress Constitutional mandates with respect to Congress
From the Latin lex, legis meaning law The legislative branch broadly deals with the making, deliberation over, enactment, amendment and repealing of laws
Basic Structures
There are two basic structures for legislative branches of government:
1. Unicameral
The legislative branch consists of one chamber/house
1. Bicameral
Legislative power is vested in
The Philippine Congress is the countrys legislative department (Art. VI, Sec. 1) Congress is bicameral
Upper House: Senate Lower House: House of Representatives
Composition
Senate
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
Qualification s
Term of
SENATOR AL KIRAM WON THE 2013 NATIONAL ELECTION. CAN HE RUN AGAIN ON THE 2019 ELECTION? YES OR NO? LEGAL BASIS. CAN HE RUN ON THE 2025 ELECTION? LEGAL BASIS!
SAMPLE ILLUSTRATION
Term of Office
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
In Case of Vacancy
Transparency
Elected Congressmen must: 1. Fully disclose their financial and business interests (SALN) 2. Disclose potential conflicts of interests that arise in the course of legislation 3. Keep from any other office or employment (appointed or otherwise), forfeit his/her seat to
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 countrys international treaties (Senate) 5. Authorize limited emergency
Powers of Congress
6. Approve the government budget 7. Propose, review, and adopt bills for enactment into law 8. Overturn a Presidential veto with respect to proposed legislation 9. Propose amendments to the constitution and call for a
Debate
1st Reading
3rd Reading
1st Reading
3rd Reading
1st Reading
3rd Reading
APPROVE
1st Reading
3rd Reading
****3 READINGS OF THE BILL IN BOTH HOUSES ON SEPARATE DAYS ****IF BILL IS NOTED AS URGENT BY THE PRESIDENT THE 3 READINGS MAY BE DONE ON THE SAME DAY.
EXECUTIVE POWER -THE POWER TO ENFORCE AND ADMINISTER LAWS -PRESIDENT HAS CONTROL OF ALL EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
PRES/VP QUALIFICATIONS; NATURAL BORN ABLE TO READ AND WRITE REGISTERED VOTER 40 YEARS OLD AT THE DAY OF ELECTION RESIDENT OF PHILS- 10 YEARS TERM: PRES 6 YEARS (1 TERM) VICE PRES-6 YEARS (2 TERMS)
VACANCY IN THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT: If the PRESIDENT DIES, PERMANENTLY DISABLED, IMPEACHED OR RESIGNS ** VP ELECT, SENATE PRES,HOUSE SPEAKER
IMMUNITY FROM SUIT RATIONALE: 1.THESINGULAR IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESIDENT AND HIS HIGH VISIBILITY. 2.THE DISTRACTION THAT SUITS WOULD BRING TO AN IMPORTANT OFFICIAL WITH ENORMOUS RESPONSIBILITY.