THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

OVERVIEW

Legislative Power Defined

The Legislative branch broadly deals with the making, deliberation over, enactment, amendment and repealing of
laws.

The Congress of the Philippines under the Constitution is bicameral in form. It is consisting of 2 houses: The
Senate (upper house) and The House of Representatives (lower house).One of the advantages of a bicameral
legislature is that the 2 Houses would produce a healthy check upon each other. The House of Representatives is
expected to reflect the popular will of the average citizen, whereas the Senate is expected to provide stability,
continuity an in-depth deliberation in law-making.

SENATE

Qualifications
• Natural-born citizen of the Philippines
• A registered voter
• Able to read and write
• At least 35 years old on the day of election
• Resident of the Philippines for not less than 2 years immediately coming before the day of the election

Composition
• The Senate is composed of 24 members addressed as Senators.

Source: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/about/gov/the-legislative-branch/

Permanent Senate Committees

1. Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon)

Chairman: Sen Pia S. Cayetano
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance by officers and employees
of the government; implementation of the constitutional provision on nepotism; and investigation of any
matter of public interest on its own initiative or brought to its attention by any member of the Senate.

2. Accounts
Chairman: Sen. Alan Peter “Campaňero” S. Cayetano
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the auditing and adjustment of all accounts chargeable against the
funds for the expenses and activities of the Senate.

3. Agriculture, Food & Agrarian Reform

Chairman: Sen. Cynthia A. Villar
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to agriculture, food-production and agri-business, such as agricultural
experimental stations, soil survey and conservation, animal husbandry, and fisheries and aquatic resources.
All matters relating to agrarian reform, landed estates, and implementation of the agrarian land reform
provisions of the Constitution.

4. Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies

Chairman: Sen. Mark A. Villar
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to banks, financial institutions, government and private currencies,
capital markets, mutual funds, securitization, coinage and circulation of money.

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 5. Basic Education
Chairman: Sen. Win Gachalian
Jurisdiction: All matters directly and principally relating to early childhood care and education, pre-school,
kindergarten, elementary and secondary education, science high schools except the Philippine Science
High School System, sports high schools, teachers’ and students’ welfare, teacher education and
competency; non-formal, informal, indigenous learning systems, special needs education and community
adult education; inclusive education, scholarships, grants, subsidies and incentives to deserving students,
the preservation, enrichment and evolution of Filipino arts and culture; establishment and maintenance of
national language, libraries, museums, shrines, monuments, and other historical sites and edifices; training
programs and cultural and artistic programs of international institutions and organizations operating in the
Philippines, such as the UNESCO; and the preservation , enrichment, and evolution of Filipino arts and
culture.

6. Civil Service and Government Reorganization & Professional Regulation

Chairman: Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the Civil Service and the status of officers and employees of the
government including their appointment, discipline, retirement; their compensation privileges, benefits and
incentives; implementation of the constitutional provisions on the rights of government workers to form
and join labor organizations; public sector labor-management relations and collective negotiation
agreements; the regulation of and admission to and the practice of the professions; and reorganization of
the government or any of its branches or instrumentalities; all human resource development programs
pertaining to the Government; and all other matters relating to the bureaucracy.

7. Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes

Chairman: Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla
Jurisdiction: All matters proposing amendments to the constitution of the Philippines, and the revision of
existing codes.

8. Cooperatives
Chairman: Sen. Imee R. Marcos
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cooperatives, including farm credit and farm security, cooperative
movements, and the implementation of the Cooperative Code of the Philippines.

9. Cultural Communities & Muslim Affairs

Chairman: Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cultural communities and Muslim affairs inclusive of the preservation,
development of culture, traditions, institutions, and well-being of indigenous peoples and Muslim
Filipinos.

10. Culture and the Arts

Chairman: Sen. Loren Legarda
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the establishment and maintenance of museums, shrines, monuments,
and other historical sites and edifices; initiatives in fostering artistic practices and innovations in a range of
platforms for presentation; support for scholarship, curatorship and dissemination of knowledge in arts and
culture; training programs and cultural and artistic programs of international institutions and organizations
operating in the Philippines, such as the UNESCO; and the preservation, enrichment and evolution of Filipino
arts and culture, built and intangible, and in both traditional and contemporary forms.

11. Economic Affairs

Chairman: Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to economic planning and programming, general economic development,
and coordination, regulation and diversification of industry and investments.

12. Electoral Reform and People’s Participation

Chairman: Sen. Imee R. Marcos
Jurisdiction: All matters pertaining to election laws and to the implementation of the constitutional
provisions on initiative and referendum on legislative acts, recall of elective officials, the role and rights of
people’s organizations, and sectoral or party list representation.

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 13. Energy
Chairman: Sen Pia S. Cayetano
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the exploration, exploitation, development, extraction, importation,
refining, transport, distribution, marketing, conservation, or storage of all forms of energy; renewable and
potential forms of energy resources; and generation, transmission and distribution of electric power.

14. Environment, Natural Resources & Climate Change

Chairman: Sen. Cynthia A. Villar
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the conservation and protection of the environment, policies, programs,
strategies, technologies and other innovations addressing global warming and climate change impacts,
including, but not limited to, climate risk management to reduce vulnerability associated with climate-
sensitive areas and sectors, the regulation of the impact of human activities on the same, the promotion of
environmental awareness of our citizens, the renewal of resources in damaged ecosystems and other
environment-related issues; all matters related to adaptation and mitigation or control of greenhouse gas
emissions to enhance resilience and to promote sustainable development, Philippine compliance with the
relevant international agreements and cooperation with other countries, development, protection,
exploration, storage, renewal, regulation and licensing, and wise utilization of the country’s national reserves
including, but not limited to, forest, mineral, public land, offshore areas and the development of industries
based on these resources.

15. Ethics and Privileges

Chairman: Sen. Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the conduct, rights, privileges, safety, dignity, integrity, and reputation of
the Senate and its members.

16. Finance
Chairman: Sen. Grace Poe
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to funds for the expenditures of the national government and for the
payment of public indebtedness; auditing of accounts and expenditures of the national government;
intergovernmental revenue sharing; and, in general, all matters relating to public expenditures.

17. Foreign Relations

Chairman: Sen. Imee R. Marcos
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the relations of the Philippines with other nations; diplomatic and
consular service; the United Nations (UN) and its agencies, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), and other multilateral organizations; all international agreements, obligations and contracts; and
overseas Filipinos.

18. Games & Amusement

Chairman: Sen. Mark A. Villar
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to games and amusement, such as, but not limited to, casinos, lotteries,
jai-alai and horse-racing.

19. Government Corporations and Public Enterprises

Chairman: Sen. Mark A. Villar
Jurisdiction: All matters affecting government corporations, including all amendments to their charters, the
interests of the government industrial and commercial enterprises, and privatization.

20. Health and Demography

Chairman: Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to public health, medical, hospital and quarantine services, and population
issues, concerns, policies and programs affecting individuals and their families.

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 21. Higher, Technical and Vocational Education
Chairman: Sen. Alan Peter “Campaňero” S. Cayetano
Jurisdiction: All matters directly and principally relating to post-secondary and tertiary education, technical
education, distance education, vocational education, students and teachers’ welfare, centers of excellence,
scholarships, grants, subsidies and incentives to deserving students.

22. Justice and Human Rights

Chairman: Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the organization and administration of justice, civil courts, and
penitentiaries; impeachment proceedings against constitutional officers and other officers; registration of
land titles; immigration and naturalization; the implementation of the constitutional provisions on human
rights; and all matters pertaining to the efficiency and reforms in the prosecution service.

23. Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development

Chairman: Sen. Joel Villanueva
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to labor employment and human resource development; labor education
and standards; recruitment, training and placement of workers and exports of human resources; and
promotion and development of workers’ organizations.

24. Local Government

Chairman: Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to autonomous regions, provinces, cities, special metropolitan political
subdivisions, municipalities, and barangays.

25. Migrant Workers

Chairman: Sen. Raffy T. Tulfo
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the rights, safety, welfare, well-being, interest, and protection of
overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and seafarers and their families.

26. National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation

Chairman: Sen. Jose “Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada” P. Ejercito
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to national defense and external and internal threats to national security,
peace, internal armed conflict resolution, political negotiation, cessation of hostilities, amnesty, rebel
returnees, integration and development, national unification and reconciliation, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines; pension plans and fringe benefits of war veterans and military retirees; citizens army selective
service; forts; arsenals; military camps and reservations; coast, geodetic and meteorological surveys; civil
defense; and military research and development..

27. Public Information and Mass Media

Chairman: Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to public information, mass communication and broadcast services, the
implementation of the constitutional provisions regarding ownership of mass media and the advertising
industry, and the artistic standards and quality of the motion picture and television industry.

28. Public Order and Dangerous Drugs

Chairman: Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to peace and order, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of
Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and private security
agencies; the possession, use, cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of prohibited and regulated
drugs, the prosecution of offenders, and rehabilitation of drug users and dependents.

29. Public Services

Chairman: Sen. Raffy T. Tulfo
Jurisdiction: All matters affecting public services and utilities, communications, land, air, river and sea
transportation including railroads, inter-island navigation and lighthouses, and the grant or amendment of
legislative franchises.

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 30. Public Works
Chairman: Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to planning, construction, maintenance, improvement and repair of public
buildings, highways, bridges, roads, ports, airports, harbors and parks, drainage and flood control, and
irrigation and water utilities.

31. Rules
Chairman: Sen. Francis “Tol’ N. Tolentino
Jurisdiction: All matters affecting the rules of the Senate, the calendar and parliamentary rules, the order
and manner of transacting business, and the creation of committees.

32. Science and Technology

Chairman: Sen. Alan Peter “Campaňero” S. Cayetano
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to science and technology, including scientific and technological
research, development and advancement.

33. Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development

Chairman: Sen. Imee R. Marcos
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to rural development and welfare, and the implementation of the
constitution provisions on social justice.

34. Sports
Chairman: Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the promotion of physical fitness, professional and amateur sports
development.

35. Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking

Chairman: Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and
the Assessment of the country’s performance in attaining said development goals through policies,
strategies, and actions for the development of desirable futures by using a multi-disciplinary approach in
illuminating possibilities, outlining policy choices, and assessing alternatives.

36. Tourism
Chairman: Sen. Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to tourism and the tourist industry.

37. Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship

Chairman: Sen. Alan Peter “Campaňero” S. Cayetano
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to domestic and foreign trade and private corporations; micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSMEs); social enterprises; the promotion of entrepreneurship and the regulation of
entrepreneurial practice; patents, copyrights, trade names and trademarks; quality control; control and
stabilization of prices of commodities; consumer protection; and handicraft and cottage industries.

38. Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement

Chairman: Sen. Imee R. Marcos
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to urban land reform planning, housing, resettlement, and urban
community development.

39. Ways and Means

Chairman: Sen. Win Gatchalian
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to revenue-generation, taxes and fees, tariffs, loans, and other sources and
forms of revenue.

40. Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality

Chairman: Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the women, family relations, and equality before the law of women and
men.
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 41. Youth
Chairman: Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go
Jurisdiction: All matters related to the youth and its vital role in nation-building, promotion and protection
of their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being, and their involvement in public and civic
affairs.

Senators of the 19th Congress

Senate of the Philippines
(as of August 19, 2024)

Senate President: Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero

President Pro-Tempore: Sen. Jose “Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada” P. Ejercito
Majority Floor Leader: Senator Francis "Tol" N. Tolentino
Minority Floor Leader: Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III

1. Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero 14. Senator Win Gatchalian

2. Senator Loren Legarda 15. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T.
3. Senator Joel Villanueva Go
4. Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III 16. Senator Manuel “Lito" M. Lapid
5. Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito 17. Senator Imee R. Marcos
6. Senator Mark A. Villar 18. Senator Robinhood C. Padilla
7. Senator Risa Hontiveros 19. Senator Grace L. Poe
8. Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara 20. Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.
9. Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay 21. Senator Francis "Tol" N. Tolentino
10. Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano 22. Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
11. Senator Pia S. Cayetano 23. Senator Cynthia A. Villar
12. Senator Ronald "Bato" M. dela Rosa 24. Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri
13. Sen. Jose “Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada” P.
Ejercito

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

Qualifications
• Natural-born citizen of the Philippines
• A registered voter
• Able to read and write.
• At least 25 years old on the day of the election
• Resident of the district in which he shall be elected for not less than one year immediately coming before
the day of election.

Composition:

The House of Representatives is composed of not more than 250 members (unless otherwise fixed by
law).
District Representatives. They constitute 80% of the Lower House. They represent their corresponding
district from different provinces and cities. They are the voice of their constituents.
Party-list Representatives. They represent groups duly recognized by the government constituting 20% of
the population in the lower house. Examples of these sectors are the farmers, women, professionals, and
others.

Committees of the House of Representatives

1. Accounts
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the internal budget of the House of Representatives, including budget
preparation, submission and approval, disbursements, accounting, and financial operations.

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 2. Agrarian Reform
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to agrarian reform, the resettlement of and other support services for
agrarian reform beneficiaries, and the implementation and amendment of the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Law.

3. Agriculture and Food

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to food and agricultural production, agri-business, agricultural research
and technology, soil survey and research, irrigation, farm credit and security, animal industry, and crop and
livestock production.

4. Appropriations
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the expenditures of the national government including payment of public
indebtedness, creation or abolition and classification of positions in government, and the determination of
salaries, allowances and benefits of government personnel.

5. Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to aquaculture and fisheries production and development, aquaculture
business, use of aquatic resources, freshwater and fisheries culture research and technology, and
conservation of rivers, lakes and other fisheries resources.

6. Banks and Financial Intermediaries

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to banking and currency, government-owned or controlled banks and
financial institutions, non-government banks and financial institutions, insurance, and securities.

7. Basic Education and Culture

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to pre-school, elementary and secondary education, science high schools
(except the Philippine Science High School), teachers’ and students’ welfare, alternative learning systems
and community adult education, the national language, libraries and museums, and the preservation and
enrichment of Filipino culture.

8. Civil Service and Professional Regulation

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the organization, operation, management, rules and regulations of the
civil service, the welfare and benefits of government officers and employees, and the regulation and practice
of professions.

9. Constitutional Amendments
Jurisdiction: All matters directly and principally relating to amendments or revisions of the constitution.

10. Cooperatives Development

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cooperatives (consumer, producers, marketing, service, electric, and
multi-purpose), urban- and rural-based credit, and the implementation or amendment of the Cooperative
Code of the Philippines.

11. Dangerous Drugs

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to illegal or prohibited drugs, its production, manufacture, use and
trafficking, and the rehabilitation and treatment of drug dependents.

12. Ecology
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to ecosystem management, including pollution control.

13. Economic Affairs

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to economic development planning and programs, inclusive of economic
and socio-economic studies, and development policies and strategies.

14. Energy
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the exploration, development, utilization or conservation of energy
resources, and entities involved in energy or power generation, transmission, distribution and supply.
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 15. Ethics and Privileges
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the duties, conduct, rights, privileges and immunities, dignity, integrity,
and reputation of the House of Representatives and its members.

16. Foreign Affairs

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the relations of the Philippines with other countries, diplomatic and
consular services, the United Nations (UN) and its agencies, and other international organizations and
agencies.

17. Games and Amusements

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to all forms and places of gaming and amusements.

18. Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance by officers and employees
of the government, inclusive of investigations of any matter of public interest on its own initiative or upon
an order by the House of Representatives.

19. Government Enterprises and Privatization

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the creation, organization, operation, reorganization, and amendments
of charters of government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) including the Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) but excluding government-owned or
controlled banks and financial institutions.

20. Government Reorganization

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the reorganization of the government and its branches, departments
and instrumentalities, and the creation, abolition or change of the principal functions or nature of any
government department, agency, commission or board.

21. Health
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to public health and hygiene, and quarantine, medical, hospital and other
health facilities and services.

22. Higher and Technical Education

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to post-secondary and tertiary education, technical education, distance
education, students’ and teachers’ welfare, and centers of excellence.

23. Housing and Urban Development

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to shelter delivery, and the management of urbanization issues and
concerns such as urban planning and development, urban land reform and welfare of the urban poor.

24. Human Rights

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the protection and enhancement of human rights, assistance to victims
of human rights violations and their families, the prevention of violations of human rights, and the
punishment of perpetrators of such violations.

25. Information and Communications Technology

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to postal, telegraph, radio, broadcast, cable television, telephone,
convergence, computers and telecommunications technologies, information systems inclusive of
hardware, software and content applications, mobile short messaging system (SMS) applications, and
networks that enable access to online technology.

26. Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to inter-parliamentary relations and linkages with international
parliamentary organizations, establishment of inter-parliamentary friendship societies, and visits of
parliamentary delegations as well as other foreign dignitaries.

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 27. Justice
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the administration of justice, the Judiciary, the practice of law and
integration of the Bar, legal aid, penitentiaries, impeachment proceedings, registration of land titles,
immigration, deportation, naturalization, and the definition of crimes and their penalties.

28. Labor and Employment

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to labor, the advancement and protection of workers’ rights and welfare,
employment and manpower development, labor standards, and the organization and development of the
labor market including the recruitment, training and placement of manpower

29. Legislative Franchises

Jurisdiction: All matters directly and principally relating to the grant, amendment, extension or revocation
of franchises.

30. Local Government

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to autonomous regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays,
including their revenues and expenditures.

31. Metro Manila Development

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs to promote and enhance the development of the
Metro Manila area.

32. Mindanao Affairs

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the development of Mindanao, including the preparation of a
comprehensive and integrated development plan for Mindanao.

33. Muslim Affairs

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to Muslim affairs inclusive of the welfare of Muslim Filipinos, and the
development of predominantly Muslim areas.

34. National Cultural Communities

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to national cultural communities, and the development of predominantly
cultural community areas.

35. National Defense and Security

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to national defense and national security, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP), military bases, coast and geodetic surveys, and disaster relief and rescue.

36. Natural Resources

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to natural resources (except energy and fisheries resources) and their
exploration, conservation, management and utilization, public domain lands, mines and minerals, forests,
parks and wildlife, and marine resources.

37. Overseas Workers Affairs

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs on the promotion and protection of the rights and
welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.

38. People’s Participation

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the role, rights and responsibilities of people’s organizations, non-
government and civic organizations, and other similar groups, and the establishment of mechanisms on
people’s participation in governance and legislation.

39. Population and Family Relations

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to population growth and family planning, population census and statistics,
family relations, and care of the elderly.

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 40. Poverty Alleviation
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs to address the poverty situation in the country
and other actions to alleviate the plight of the poor and promote their right to equal access to opportunities.

41. Public Information

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the production and dissemination of information to the public through
all forms of mass communications and media such as print and broadcast media, movie and television,
video, advertising, cable television, and the internet.

42. Public Order and Safety

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the suppression of criminality including those on illegal gambling,
private armies, terrorism, organized crime and illegal drugs, regulation of firearms, firecrackers and
pyrotechnics, civil defense, private security agencies, and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

43. Public Works and Highways

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the planning, construction, maintenance, improvement and repair of
public infrastructure inclusive of buildings, highways, bridges, roads, parks, drainage, flood control and water
utilities.

44. Revision of Laws

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the revision and codification of laws.

45. Rules
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the rules of the House of Representatives, rules of procedure in
impeachment proceedings, order of business, calendar of business, the referral of bills, resolutions,
speeches, committee reports, messages, and the creation of committees.

46. Rural Development

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the development of rural areas and islands through policies, programs, and
support services including livelihood and enterprise development, microfinancing, community mobilization and
development, and access to rural projects funding and financing.

47. Science and Technology

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to science and technology including scientific and technological research and
development, science and technology education including the Philippine Science High School System,
intellectual property rights on biotechnology, and climate and weather forecasting.

48. Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs on entrepreneurship development including the
promotion of entrepreneurship, support to entrepreneurs, and the establishment and development of small and
medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

49. Social Services

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the social development and welfare of persons with disabilities or special
needs, including social services and interventions that enhance quality of life.

50. Suffrage and Electoral Reforms

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the protection and advancement of the right of suffrage, and the conduct of
elections, plebiscites, initiatives, recalls and referenda.

51. Tourism
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the development and promotion of tourism and the tourist industry, both
domestic and international.

52. Trade and Industry

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to domestic and foreign trade, intellectual property rights, patents, standards,
weights and measures, quality control, consumer protection, prices of commodities, handicrafts and cottage
industries, and the development, regulation and diversification of industry and investments.

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 53. Transportation
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to land, sea, and air transportation, the establishment, operation, management
and regulation of airports, seaports and other mass transportation systems including rail systems and roll on-
roll off (RO-RO) systems, civil aviation, air transport agreements, transportation safety standards, air transport
security, and maritime security.

54. Veterans Affairs and Welfare

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the welfare of war veterans, veterans of military campaigns, military retirees,
and their surviving spouses and beneficiaries.

55. Ways and Means

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the fiscal, monetary and financial affairs of the national government, including
tariff, taxation, revenues, borrowing, and credit and bonded indebtedness.

56. Welfare of Children

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the needs, education and overall welfare of Filipino children.

57. Women and Gender Equality

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the rights and welfare of women and female children and youth, inclusive of
their education, employment and working conditions, and concerns relating to gender equality
58. Youth and Sports Development
Jurisdiction: All matters relating to youth development, including the development of their leadership potentials
and the promotion of their moral, physical, intellectual and social well-being, and sports development.

Source: https://www.congress.gov.ph

STANDING COMMITTEES - 19th Congress

252 DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE

60 PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVES
TOTAL: 312

The illustration below shows some of the varying qualities of Senate & House of Representatives:
SENATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Composition
24 members Not more than 250 members
Elected by large by qualified voters (national- District Representatives
elected officials) Party-list Representatives
Qualifications
At least 35 years old At least 25 years old
A resident for not less than 2 years A resident of the district in which he/she shall be
elected for not less than 1 year
Term of Office
6 years 3 years
No senator can serve for more than 2 consecutive No representative can serve for more than 3
terms consecutive terms

Privileges

1. Salaries (Section 10, Article VI)

The Constitution fixed initially the annual salary of the senators and congressmen, salary grade 31. These
are subject to change by law.

2. Privileges (Section 9 & 10, Article VI)

The Members of Congress are accorded under the Constitution with two parliamentary immunities:
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 a. Privilege from arrest applies while Congress is in session in all offenses punishable by not more than 6
years imprisonment. The purpose for granting the immunity from arrest is to ensure that they are not prevented
from performing their legislature duties.
b. Privilege of Speech and Debate applies for any speech or debate in Congress or in any committee. The
members of Congress cannot be sued or prosecuted for anything they say or write in connection with their
legislative duties. It is indispensably necessary that he should enjoy the fullest liberty of speech and that he should
be protected.

Prohibitions (Sections 13 & 14, Article VI)

Under the Constitution, the Members of the House of Congress are prohibited to:

1. Hold any other office of employment in government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof,
including government owned and controlled corporations or their subsidiaries, during his term of office without
forfeiting his seat. This is the so-called incompatible office.

2. Not allowed from being appointed to any office, which may have been created, or the emoluments thereof
increased during the term for which he was elected. This is the so-called forbidden office.

3. Not allowed to personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the electoral tribunals, or quasi-
judicial and other administrative bodies.

4. From being financially interested, directly or indirectly in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege
granted by the Government.

Powers of Congress

The principal function of the Congress is lawmaking, that is, enactment of laws serving as binding rules for all
Filipinos. However, the Constitution also grants certain non-legislative functions to the Congress such as the power
to declare the existence of war, the power to remove the President and other high officials through impeachment.

Hereunder are some of the powers of Congress:

1. Power of Legislative Investigation

The two Houses of the Congress and their respective committees are authorized by the Constitution to conduct
investigations or inquiry in aid of legislation or to aid Congress in its legislative works.

2. Power of Appropriation
The power of appropriation sometimes referred to as the power of the purse, is exercised by Congress through the
enactment of an appropriation law.

3. Power of Taxation
The power of taxation is the power to impose taxes. The Constitution vests in the legislature the exercise of the
power of taxation.
It must be noted that even without expresses constitutional grant, the power to tax together with the police power
and the power of eminent domain are inherent and are indispensable power of the government.

4. Non-legislative powers
The Congress is also vested under the Constitution such other powers, non-legislative in nature such as the power
to declare the existence of war (Section 23 (1), the power to concur in presidential amnesties (Section 21) and the
power to impeach the President etc.

The Law-Making Process

A. Origin of Bills
The first step in the lawmaking process is the creation and introduction of a bill. But, what is a bill, what are its parts
and what are the procedures in approving a bill?
A bill is a draft of a proposed statute or law submitted to the legislature for enactment. A bill is introduced by a
member of the House of Representatives or Senate. Only members of the 2 Houses can formally submit a bill for
consideration in their respective chambers.
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B. Parts of a Bill
The bill passed by Members of Congress contains:
1. Title
2. Preamble
3. Enacting Clause
4. Body of the Statute
5. Effectivity Clause

C. Procedure in the Approval of a Bill

The Constitution provides that before a bill passed by either House becomes a law, it shall first pass 3
readings on separate days with the exception of those which the President will certify as necessary to meet public
calamity.
The Constitution provides that before a bill passed by either House becomes a law, it shall first pass 3
readings on separate days with the exception of those which the President will certify as necessary to meet public
calamity.

First Reading
• Only the number and the title of the bill is read, and the Speaker refers it to the proper committee for
consideration
• The committee may decide to kill the bill by taking no action on it or it may consider the bill and conduct a
thorough study by conducting public hearings on the proposed measure.
• The committee will submit a report recommending for the approval or disapproval of the bill.

Second Reading
• The entire bill is read before the chamber, and it is at this stage that the bill will be debated and amended.
• After the bill has been approved, it is printed in its final form and copies distributed to members at least 3
days before the third and last reading.

Third Reading
• Only the title of the bill is read
• No amendment is allowed at this stage
• If the bill is approved, it shall be transmitted to the President for his approval.

The bill becomes a law when:

1. The President approves and signs it after Congress has presented the bill to him.
2. The President does not act upon the bill within 30 days after it has been presented to him, it shall become a law
if he has signed it; and
3. The bill is vetoed to the President and be sent back to the House where it originated which shall enter the
objections at large in the Journal. The bill becomes a law when Congress by a vote of 2/3 of its members agree to
override the veto.

Presidential Veto - a veto is the power of the President to reject a bill passed by the Congress. As a rule,
the President must veto the entire bill.
However, the President shall have the power to veto any particular item/ items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff
bill, but the veto shall not affect the item/items to which he does not object.

HOUSE LEADERS INFORMATION

On the fourth Monday of July of every year, the two Houses of Congress convene for their regular session.
Signifying the start of another year of law making, the opening of Congress is an important event, marked by the
President's State of the Nation Address.
The only officers of Congress required by the 1987 Constitution are the President of the Senate and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives. Both the Senate President and the House Speaker are elected by a majority vote
of all the members of their respective Houses. However, as provided in the Constitution, each House shall choose
such other officers it may deem necessary for the proper operation of the institution. It is important to remember
that Congress can only be properly organized once the officers for both houses have been chosen.
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THE PHILIPPINES' 1987 CONSTITUTION
The Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session, unless a different
date is fixed by law, and shall continue to be in session for such number of days as it may determine until thirty
days before the opening of its next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The
President may call a special session at any time.
The Senate shall elect its President and the House of Representatives its Speaker, by a majority vote of all its
respective members.
Each House shall choose such other officers as it may deem necessary.
Sergio Suico Osmeña was the first Speaker of the First Philippine Assembly. Elected in 1907 at the age of 29,
Osmeña is the youngest ever to become Speaker, and the longest to have held the Speakership. He was Speaker
from 1907 to 1922, for a total of 15 years.

HOUSE SPEAKER
Hon. Romualdez, Ferdinand Martin G.
THE SPEAKER, in the hierarchical order of political leadership, is the fourth highest official in the Philippine
government. He presides over the session; decides on all questions of order, subject to appeal by any member;
signs all acts, resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by or upon order of the House;
appoints, suspends, dismisses or disciplines House personnel; and exercise administrative functions.
The Speaker is elected by a majority vote of all the Members at the commencement of each Congress.
DEPUTY SPEAKERS
The Deputy Speakers of the Philippine House of Representatives are the second highest-ranking officials of the
Philippine House of Representatives. During the absence of the House Speaker, one of the House Deputy
Speakers will preside over the House of Representatives.
MAJORITY LEADER
The Majority Leader is elected in a party caucus of the majority ruling party. His primary function, aside from
being the spokesman of the majority party, is to direct the deliberations on the floor.
In the present set-up of the House, the Majority Leader is concurrently the Chairman of the Committee on Rules.
As such, all matters relevant to the Rules of the House, specifically the calendar of bills, preparation of Order of
Business and Calendar of Business are within his responsibilities.
MINORITY LEADER
The Minority Leader is the acknowledged spokesman of the minority party in the House. But it does not
necessarily follow that he is also the leader of the party because the minority party in the House may be
composed of one or more political groupings.
Like the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader is elected in party caucus of all Members of the House in the
minority party. He is an ex-officio member of all standing Committees.

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