Legislative Department

Summary

This video delves into the legislative branch of the Philippine government, as outlined in Article VI of the 1987 Constitution. It covers the key powers and responsibilities of Congress, including lawmaking, amendments to the Constitution, and the power to declare war. The video explains the structure of the two legislative houses—the Senate and the House of Representatives—along with the qualifications and terms of office for their members. It also highlights the role of the president in legislation, including veto power and emergency powers, and emphasizes the importance of checks and balances within the system.

Takeaways

• 😀 The legislative branch in the Philippines, as defined in Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution, has the power to create, amend, or repeal laws.
• 😀 Legislative power is delegated by the people through elected Senators and Congressmen, who represent citizens' interests in law-making.
• 😀 The legislative powers include original power (the authority to create laws), constituent power (the power to amend or replace the Constitution), and ordinary power (the power to create ordinary laws).
• 😀 Congress is bicameral, consisting of the Senate (upper house) with 24 Senators and the House of Representatives (lower house) with at least 250 members.
• 😀 Senators must be at least 35 years old, natural-born citizens, registered voters, and have been residents of the Philippines for at least two years before the election.
• 😀 Senators serve a 6-year term and can be re-elected for up to two consecutive terms, with a break before they can run again.
• 😀 Members of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, natural-born citizens, and must be registered voters and residents of the district they represent for at least one year before the election.
• 😀 Representatives serve a 3-year term and may run for re-election for up to three consecutive terms before taking a break.
• 😀 The power to declare a state of war belongs solely to Congress, which must vote in joint session, with a two-thirds majority in both houses.
• 😀 In times of national emergency, Congress can grant emergency powers to the President, with specific limitations and a deadline for their exercise.
• 😀 Public funds cannot be used to support religious institutions, maintaining a strict separation of church and state, except in certain cases like government support for religious personnel in public institutions.
• 😀 Bills passed by Congress must go through three readings, and the President can veto certain items in appropriation, revenue, or tariff bills without affecting the entire bill.

Q & A

What is the primary role of the legislative branch of the Philippine government?

The primary role of the legislative branch is to create, amend, or repeal laws. This includes passing ordinary laws (Republic Acts) and potentially amending the Constitution through constituent power.

What are the three types of powers held by the legislative branch?

The three types of powers held by the legislative branch are: (1) **Ordinary Power** - to create, amend, or repeal ordinary laws; (2) **Constituent Power** - to amend or replace the Constitution; (3) **Delegated Power** - the authority given to elected representatives to enact laws on behalf of the people.

What is meant by 'delegated power' in the context of the legislative branch?

Delegated power refers to the power given by the people to their elected representatives, such as senators and congressmen, to enact laws on their behalf.

How is the Philippine Congress structured?

The Philippine Congress is bicameral, consisting of two houses: the **Senate** (the upper house) with 24 senators, and the **House of Representatives** (the lower house), with a variable number of congressmen, currently at least 250, who represent specific districts.

What are the qualifications for becoming a senator in the Philippines?

A senator must be: (1) a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, (2) at least 35 years old, (3) able to read and write, (4) a registered voter, and (5) a resident of the Philippines for at least two years before the election.

What is the maximum number of consecutive terms a senator can serve in the Philippines?

A senator can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, each lasting six years, for a total of 12 years. After this, they must take a break before running for re-election.

What is the difference in terms of office between senators and members of the House of Representatives?

Senators serve six-year terms, while members of the House of Representatives serve three-year terms. Senators can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, while congressmen can serve up to three consecutive terms with a break in between.

What happens in the case of a vacancy in the Senate or House of Representatives?

In case of a vacancy, a special election may be called to fill the position for the remainder of the term, as prescribed by law.

What is the role of the electoral tribunals in the legislative process?

Each house of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) has an electoral tribunal that is the sole judge of all contests related to the election, returns, and qualifications of its members. These tribunals are composed of justices from the Supreme Court and elected representatives.

What power does Congress have regarding the declaration of war in the Philippines?

Congress has the sole power to declare a state of war in the Philippines. It requires a two-thirds majority vote of both houses in joint session, voting separately.

Can the President of the Philippines declare a state of emergency on their own?

No, the President cannot declare a state of emergency on their own. However, in times of war or national emergency, Congress can authorize the President to exercise certain powers necessary to carry out a national policy for a limited period.

What restrictions are there on the use of public funds for religious purposes in the Philippines?

Public funds cannot be used directly for the benefit of any religious institution, priest, or religious teacher, except when assigned to government-related functions such as the Armed Forces or penal institutions. This maintains the separation of church and state.

What is the procedure for a bill to become a law in the Philippines?

A bill must pass three readings on separate days in both houses of Congress. It must be distributed to members three days before passage, except in cases of emergency. Once a bill passes, it is then submitted to the President for approval or veto.

What powers does the President have over appropriation, revenue, and tariff bills?

The President can veto specific items in appropriation, revenue, or tariff bills, but their veto does not affect the other items in the bill that the President does not object to.

What does the Philippine Constitution say about titles of nobility?

The Philippine Constitution prohibits the granting of titles of nobility or royalty, ensuring that there are no formal distinctions of nobility in the country.