LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION
YOUR LEGISLATURE Show  To qualify for election as a Representative, you have to be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter in the district in which you seek to be elected, a resident therein for not less than one (1) year before the day of the election and at least twenty-five (25) years of age. To qualify for election as a Senator, you also have to be a natural-born Filipino citizen, a registered voter, a resident of the Philippines for at least two (2) years before the day of the election and at least thirty-five (35) years old. YOUR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SPEAKER LEADS, MANAGES AND PRESIDES over your House of Representatives. A majority of all the Members of the House elects the Speaker. Those who voted for the Speaker belong to the Majority while those who voted for the Speaker's opponent belong to the Minority. Representatives belonging to the Majority choose the Majority Floor Leader who automatically chairs the Committee on Rules, and those in the Minority choose the Minority Floor Leader. The other officers of the House of Representatives are the thirty-two (32) Deputy Speakers, the Secretary-General and the Sergeant-at-Arms who are also elected by a majority of all the Representatives. Committees, or small groups of Representatives, headed by committee chairpersons, study proposed laws called bills, and other measures relating to issues and concerns affecting our lives, our communities and our society. They conduct hearings that give us, citizens, opportunities to express our views on proposed laws or measures. Employees of the House constituting Committee Secretariats provide the committees with legislative support services such as research, report preparation, policy studies and the like. When you visit the House of Representatives, you may see your Representatives in action during sessions or committee hearings. If you wish to speak with any one of them during sessions or hearings, the Pages who assist and run errands for our representatives in the Session Hall and in our conference rooms, can bring your notes and messages to the Representative you wish to speak with. You may also send an email to your Representatives, attend or testify at committee hearings, or ask for information about the legislative process or a specific bill. Your Representatives will appreciate hearing from you because they know how important your views are in making good laws that effectively address the welfare of our people. HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW Please visit the Legislative Process page on HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY WHEN OUR COUNTRY WAS UNDER AMERICAN colonial rule, the legislative body was the Philippine Commission which existed from September, 1900 to October, 1907. The President of the United States appointed the members of the Philippine Commission. The Philippine Bill of 1902 mandated the creation of a bicameral or a two-chamber Philippine Legislature with the Philippine Commission as the Upper House and the Philippine Assembly as the Lower House. This bicameral legislature was inaugurated in October, 1907. Through the leadership of then Speaker Sergio Osmena and then Floor Leader Manuel Quezon, the Rules of the 59th Congress of the United States was substantially adopted as the Rules of the Philippine Legislature. In 1916, the Jones Law changed the legislative system. The Philippine Commission was abolished, and a new bicameral Philippine Legislature consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate was established. The legislative system was changed again in 1935. The 1935 Constitution established a unicameral National Assembly. But in 1940, through an amendment to the 1935 Constitution, a bicameral Congress of the Philippines consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate was created. Upon the inauguration of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946, Republic Act No. 6 was enacted providing that on the date of the proclamation of the Republic of the Philippines, the existing Congress would be known as the First Congress of the Republic. The 1973 Constitution abolished the bicameral Congress and created a unicameral Batasang Pambansa in a parliamentary system of government. The 1987 Constitution restored the presidential system of government together with a bicameral Congress of the Philippines. Please visit also the Brief History of the Philippine Congress on our ABOUT US page. NATIONAL SYMBOLS The national coat-of-arms shall have paleways of two (2) pieces, azure and gules; a chief argent studded with three (3) mullets equidistant from each other; and, in point of honor, ovoid argent over all the sun rayonnant with eight minor lesser rays. Beneath shall be the scroll with the words "REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS," enscribed thereon. The red stripe symbolizes courage and the willingness of every Filipino to shed blood in defense of our country, while the blue stripe stands for peace and unity among all Filipinos. The equilateral triangle on the left side is symbolic of equality among men. The eight rays of the Philippine Sun in the triangle represent the eight provinces that first revolted against Spanish rule. The three stars on each corner of the triangle stand for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The Seal is in circular form with the National Coat-of-Arms of the Republic of the Philippines but without the scroll and the inscription in the center. The year "1907" is incribed below the escutcheon representing the year the First Philippine Assembly was inaugurated. Eighty-one (81) Stars surround and guide the blazon representing the current number of provinces comprising the Republic. Surrounding the whole is a double marginal circle within which appears the words "House of Representatives" in the upper part, and "Philippines" in the lower part. These phrases are separated by two small five-pointed stars. CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVE You have a very important role in the making of our laws. You may not be able to vote for our local and national leaders until you are 18 years old, but as a citizen, you can contact your Representatives to let them know what you think and how you feel about existing and proposed laws, or your suggestions for new laws needed to make our lives and our society better. Your Representatives enjoy hearing from young people like you. One of the best ways to be heard is to email your Representative through their profile page on our website. You may also contact your Representatives by calling the trunkline of the House of Representatives at Tel. No. 8931-5001. An operator will connect you to the office of the Representative you wish to contact. You may use the same telephone number to get in touch with offices of the House Secretariat for any assistance on legislative matters you may need. We also encourage you to personally visit your House of Representatives. We can arrange a fun and interesting tour for your group, class, organization or school throughout the year. Contact us in advance for tour arrangements at Tel. No. 8931-5001. What is the relationship between the Senate and House of Representatives?Senators represent their entire states, but members of the House represent individual districts. The number of districts in each state is determined by a state's population. Each state has a minimum of one representative in Congress.
Who sets the agenda for the House of Representatives?Majority party leaders in the House have important powers and prerogatives to effectively set the policy agenda and decide which proposals will receive floor consideration.
What is the sole power of the Senate?The Senate has the sole power to conduct impeachment trials, essentially serving as jury and judge. Since 1789 the Senate has tried 20 federal officials, including three presidents. Congress has conducted investigations of malfeasance in the executive branch—and elsewhere in American society—since 1792.
Who can introduce legislation quizlet?Anyone may draft a bill; however, only members of Congress can introduce legislation, and, by doing so, become the sponsor(s). The president, a member of the cabinet or the head of a federal agency can also propose legislation, although a member of Congress must introduce it.
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What is a group of house or senate members that convenes regularly to discuss common interests?
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