Summary of Philippine Constitution : Article 6

Article VI: Legislative Department

Legislative power- the power to make, alter, and repeal laws.

Laws being describe is the “Statutory Laws”

Functions of Law
1.       Defines the right and duties of the citizens
2.       Imposes taxes
3.       Appropriate funds
4.       Defines crimes and provides their punishment
5.       Creates and abolishes Government Offices

Legislative branches
1.       House of Senate- composes of senators
2.       House of Representative- composes of different congressman


The Legislative body in the Philippines is in Bicameralism form.

Powers of the Congress
1.       General Legislative Power- enact laws
2.       Specific Powers
a.       Choose who will be the President in case of the temporary disabilities/death of the incumbent President.
b.      Confirms appointments made by the President through the Congress’ Commission on Appointments.
c.       Promotes social Justice
d.      Imposes Taxes
e.      Impeach a high position government Official
f.        Act as constituent Assembly in case of any changes being made in the constitution
3.       Implied Power- power needed to enact a law
4.       Inherent Power
a.       Eminent Domain- acquiring any private property to be used for the use of the Public.
b.      Power of Taxation- creating laws regarding taxation
c.       Police Power- enacting law through the help of the Police Force


Principle of Checks and Balances Implied on Legislative
1.       Legislative is being check by the Executive Branch through checking the Laws made by the Congress. Any bill without the signature of the President is void. The President can disapprove the bill being submitted.
2.       President’s veto (disapproval of a bill) can be removed by a voting of the House of Representative. There must be at least 2/3 vote of the total Representative must be gathered to override the veto.
3.       Laws created by the Congress also is being confirmed by the Judiciary by check it if it does not violate the constitution.

The House of Senate
-          There are 24 senators. They have a 6 years term. The senate is being alternately being elected, meaning every election only 12 senator sits are vacant while the remaining 12 is still in the position.
Qualification of a Senator
a.       Natural Born Citizen of the Philippines
b.      At least 35 Years of Age
c.       Able to read and write
d.      Must be A registered voter.
-          Two consecutive term is not allowed

House of Representative
-          There are 250 Representatives/congressmen.
-          Composes of Different provincial representative and different party list.
-          They have 3 years term.

Qualification of a Congressman
a.       Natural Born Citizen of the Philippines
b.      At least 25 years of Age
c.       Able to read and write
-          3 consecutive term is not allowed

Party List
-          It is the 20% of the number of congressmen.
-          Representative of different sectors such as the teens, woman, athletes.

Kind of Election for the Members of the Congress
1.       Regular Election
2.       Special Election- happens only if there is vacancy is the congress.

Stages of Legislative Enactment/ Passage of a Bill
1.       First Reading- the bill is only being read by its title and number together with the name/s f the author/s.
2.       Referral to the appropriate committee- it will be referred to the appropriate committee for study and consideration. Revision may be made depending on the public hearing results to be conducted by the certain committee.
3.       Second Reading- the bill is being read in its entirely together with the amendments proposed by the committee.
4.       Debates- authors are given time to deliver his speech to convince his colleagues and to make his co-legislators be in favor of the authors bill which is needed in the voting of the approval of the bill.
5.       Printing and Distribution- after all the proposed amendments has been presented during the debate, the bill shall be in its final forms and copies of its would be distributed among the members of the House where it originated three days before its passage
6.       Third Reading- the voting of the approval of the bill.
7.       Referral to the other house- after the approval from the other house, it must be submitted to the other house. The bill will undergo Step 1-6.
8.       Submission to a Joint Bicameral Committee- if in case the decision of the Houses contradict, the respective committees in both housed shall have a joint bicameral meeting to compromise their stance in order to have consensual positions.
9.       Submission to the President

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