GROUP II
HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Legislative History includes any of various materials generated in the course of creating legislation, such
as committee reports, analysis by legislative counsel, committee hearings, floor debates, and histories of
actions taken.
Minutes of Committee Meetings a record of what has happened at a meeting held by the committee.
They should set out, clearly and concisely, decisions taken and any follow up actions agreed and who will
be responsible for those actions.
Committee Reports are one set of documents among the variety of document types produced by the
committee that address legislative and other policy issues, investigations, and internal committee
matters. Committee reports usually are one of these types: (1) reports that accompany a legislative
measure when it is reported for chamber action; (2) reports resulting from oversight or investigative
activities; (3) reports of conference committees; and (4) committee activity reports, published at the
conclusion of a Congress.
Bicameral Committee Reports report by the House of Representatives and Senate committees that
contain the reconciled version of the bill duly approved by both houses.
Legislative Reports any written expression of the proposed bill or draft legislation, It serves to initiate
discussions about legislation and certain proposed administrative actions and also aid the administration
in developing a unified position.
Legislative Journals an account of the proceedings of a legislative body. A daily record of the legislative
proceedings kept by the clerk.
Privilege Speeches - a legal immunity that some legislators will enjoy in the course of their duties. This is
also known as parliamentary privilege and given the legislators protection for their action.
HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW?
What is a Bill?
A draft of a law submitted to the consideration of a legislative body for its adoption.
Congress of the Philippines
tasked with the legislative power to enact laws
composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate
Limitations on the Power of Congress
Substantive- limitations on the content of laws. E.g. no law shall be passed establishing a state
religion
Formal/Procedural limitations on the manner of passing laws. E.g. generally a bill must go
through three readings on three separate days
Prohibition Against Delegation of Legislative Powers
Separation of Powers
Rules not Absolute
Prohibition Against Irrepealable Laws
Essence of Legislative power
Consequences to public welfare
Requirements as to Subject and Title of Bills
One title, one subject
Purposes of constitutional requirements
Hodge-Podge/Log Rolling Legislation- a name given to a legislative act which embraces many subjects.
Such acts, besides being evident proofs of the ignorance of the makers of them, or of their want of good
faith, are calculated to create a confusion which is highly prejudicial to the interests of justice
Steps:
First Reading
bill signed by author
filed with the secretary of either the Lower or Upper House
bill gets a number
gets referred to the appropriate committee
1a. Committee
o evaluated to determine the need for public hearings
o schedules discussions
o amendments may be added
o if approved, moves on the next step; if not, it dies a natural death
Second Reading
forwarded to the Committee on Rules and scheduled for a second reading
read in its entirety along with amendments by the Committee in A.1
debates will then take place
approval is then sought, before schedule for a third reading
if approved, the bill is printed in its final form, copies are distributed to the members
Third Reading
only the title of the bill is read
voting happens via roll call or nominal voting
each is given 3 minutes for a speech explaining his vote
no amendments allowed on this stage
a majority of the members present is needed to approve the bill
*Why Three Readings?
o The readings must take place on separate days to allow time for discussions and research
o To prevent hasty and improvident legislation and the railroading of bills
o For careful examination of the proposed laws
o The three readings affords the opportunity for these purposes
Referral to the Other House
the bill is referred to the other House where the same procedure takes place
if approved without changes, final version is then signed by the Senate President and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives
Submission to Joint Bicameral Committee
a conference Committee, composed of members from each house settles and agrees on any
provision of the bill
the committee prepares a report to be signed by all
no amendment is allowed at this point
Submission to the President
the final bill will be submitted to the President
he either signs it into law, or vetoes the bill to disapprove
a vetoed bill may be re-passed if 2/3 of the Houses approve its enactment
*Presidents Participation
o enables the Executive Department to protect its integrity
o provides a check on hasty, corrupt, or ill-mannered legislation
A bill becomes a law when:
The president vetoes the bill and returns it with his objections, and the same is repassed over his
veto of two-thirds of ALL members
If he does not communicate his veto within 30 days upon receipt, the bill shall become a law as if
he signed it
If he signs it with his approval
Formal Parts of a Law
Title- the heading on the preliminary part, furnishing the name by which the act is individually
known. It is usually prefixed to the statute in the brief summary of its contents
Preamble- part of statute explaining the reasons for its enactment and the objects sought to be
accomplished. Usually, it starts with whereas
Enacting Clause- part of statute which declares its enactment and serves to identify it as an act of
legislation proceeding from the proper legislative authority. Be enacted is the usual formula
used to start this clause.
Body- the main and operative part of the statute containing its substantive and even procedural
provisions. Provisos and exceptions may also be found
Effectivity Clause- announces the effective date of the law
Eight of the Silliest Proposed Laws Our Lawmakers Tried to Pass
The Anti Planking Act
The No Blowing of Car Horns Every Sunday Law
My Husbands Lover Act
The Lets Just Choose Random Things and Make Them National Things Law
The No Cutting in Line Law
The Anti Sex Toy Act
The Half-Rice Bill
The Anti-Koreanovela Bill
