Article IV: Legislative Department PDF

ARTICLE IV: LEGISLATIVE D EP ARTMEN PREPARED BY RAIZZA P. CORPUZ 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  The Philippine Congress (Art. VI, Sec. 1)  The...

ARTICLE IV: LEGISLATIVE D EP ARTMEN PREPARED BY RAIZZA P. CORPUZ 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  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  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 Definition of Legislative Power:  The authority to make laws and to alter or repeal them.  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. 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.  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 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  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. 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.  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  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  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  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)  Referral to Committee Debate 1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading ~House of Representatives~ How a Bill Becomes Law Referral to Debate Committee 1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading ~Senate~ 1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading ~House of Representatives~ How a Bill Becomes Law 1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading ~Senate~ BICAMERAL COMMITTEE 1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading ~House of Representatives~ How a Bill Becomes Law President 1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading ~Senate~ 1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading ~House of Representatives~ How a Bill Becomes Law APPROVE President VETO 30 DAY PERIOD 1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading 1st Reading 2nd Reading 3rd Reading ~House of Representatives~ References  Political Law, Nachura  1987 Constitution, de Leon  Some excerpt from SLIDE SHARE and GOOGLE IMAGES