POL101 CONGRESS

The collective body of senators and representatives of the people of the nation especially of a republic, constituting the chief legislative body of the nation

To make laws, whether by crafting new ones, amending existing ones, or repealing old ones.
Conducting investigations in aid of legislation.
To attend to, and look after, its constituents, meaning the people who voted legislators into office and whom they represent.

To enact laws, including appropriation and taxation measures.
To conduct legislative investigations.
To request heads of departments to appear before it.
To act as Board of Canvassers for the presidential elections.
To call for special elections for the presidency and the vice presidency.
To declare war and delegate emergency powers.
To revoke or extend the privilege of the habeas corpus or declare martial law.
To concur in the presidential power to grant amnesty.
To confirm certain appointments made by the President.
To approve treaties and international agreements.
To determine President physical fitness to discharge the duties of his office.
To impeach the President, the Vice President, members of the Supreme Court, members of the constitutional commissions, and the Ombudsman.
To allow utilization of natural resources.
To amend the Constitution.

The Congress of the Philippines is the national legislature of the Philippines.
It is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate (Upper Chamber), and the House of Representatives (Lower Chamber) although commonly in the Philippines the term Congress refers to the latter.

Upper Chamber
Composed of 24 Senators, half of which are elected every three years
Elected by the whole electorate and do not represent any geographical district
Each of them serves a total of six years
Has the authority to ratify treaties and other international agreements entered into by the executive branch

A natural-born citizen of the Philippines
At least 35 years old on election day
A registered voter
A resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election

Composed of a maximum 250 congressmen
Headed by a Speaker
Two types of congressmen: the district and sectoral representatives
- District congressmen represent a particular geographical district
- Sectoral congressmen represent minority sectors (also known as party-list representatives)

A natural-born citizen of the Philippines
At least 25 years old on election day
Able to read and write
A registered voter in the district in which he or she shall be elected, except the party-list representatives
A resident of the district in which he or she shall be elected for not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the election

A special election may be called to fill such a vacancy, but the senator or member of House of Representatives thus elected shall serve only the unexpired term.

A bill is a draft of a law submitted to the consideration of a legislative body for its adoption.

Any other bills not so mentioned as will originate exclusively in the House, may originate in the Senate.

An appropriation is one the primary and specific of which is to make appropriations of money from the public treasury.

A revenue bill in its strict sense is confined to only levying taxes. Revenue bills should not be extended to bills having such other legitimate and well-defined general purpose but which incidentally creates revenue.

A private bill is one that serves a private interest or concern.
Ex: A bill that gives pension to widows of ex-presidents.

A bill of local application is one that affects a particular place or locality where the inhabitants of said place will be benefited or will profit thereby.
Example: A bill changing the name of Tayabas province to Quezon province.

Title: announces the subject of the bill
Preamble: follows after the title, explains the intention of the law-maker in presenting the bill and announces the objects and purposes of the bill
Enacting clause: secures uniformity in the style of law and identifies the authority by which the law was enacted
Body: the principal portion of the bill containing the proposed law or statute itself
Date of effectivity: provides for the time when the law shall take effect

A member of the House presents a proposed bill to the Secretary of the House, who calendars the same for the first reading. Its number and title read the bill only.
The Presiding Officer refers it to the corresponding committee for study.
Upon favorable recommendation, it is returned to the House for the second reading. The bill is read in its entirety.
Open debate and amendments follow, regulated by the Rules of the House.
After approval on second reading, and at least three days before final passage, it shall be printed and distributed to each Member of the House.
For third reading, only the title is read and the House votes. A majority of the quorum is needed.
Once passed, it is sent to the other House, and then to the President for final approval.

When the President approves the bill passed by Congress.
When two-thirds of all the members of each House of the Congress repass the bill over the veto of the President.
If the President does not communicate his veto to any bill to the House where it originated within thirty days after the date of receipt thereof.