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The Legislative Branch

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This page includes the following:

Introduction
The Legislative Process
History of the Legislature

Introduction

According to the 1987 Constitution, legislative power shall be

vested in the Congress of the Philippines, which shall consist
of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who

shall be elected at large by the quali ed voters of the
Philippines, as may be provided by law; the House of
Representatives shall be composed of not more than 250
(unless otherwise xed by law), 20 percent of whom must be
Party-list representatives.

The quali cations to become a senator, as stipulated in the

The Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City is the
constitution, are: current base of the House of Representatives.

1. a natural-born citizen of the Philippines;

2. at least thirty- ve years old;
3. is able to read and write
4. a registered voter; and
5. a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years before election day.

Meanwhile, the constitution provides for the following criteria to become a member of the House of
Representatives:

1. a natural-born citizen of the Philippines;

2. at least twenty- ve years old;
3. is able to read and write; and
4. except the party-list representatives, a registered voter and a resident for at least one year in the
district where s/he shall be elected.

Legislative process

Congress is responsible for making enabling laws to make sure the spirit of the constitution is upheld in
the country and, at times, amend or change the constitution itself. In order to craft laws, the legislative
body comes out with two main documents: bills and resolutions.

Resolutions convey principles and sentiments of the Senate or the House of Representatives. These
resolutions can further be divided into three different elements:

joint resolutions — require the approval of both chambers of Congress and the signature of the
President, and have the force and effect of a law if approved.
concurrent resolutions — used for matters affecting the operations of both chambers of Congress and
must be approved in the same form by both houses, but are not transmitted to the President for his
signature and therefore have no force and effect of a law.
simple resolutions — deal with matters entirely within the prerogative of one chamber of Congress, are
not referred to the President for his signature, and therefore have no force and effect of a law.

Bills are laws in the making. They pass into law when they are approved by both houses and the President
of the Philippines. A bill may be vetoed by the President, but the House of Representatives may overturn a
presidential veto by garnering a 2/3rds vote. If the President does not act on a proposed law submitted by
Congress, it will lapse into law after 30 days of receipt.

Below is a chart mapping the process by which a law is made:

(https://www.o cialgazette.gov.ph/images/uploads/Legislative-Process-Layout_10Mayno-banner.jpg)

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE

Senate o cers

Senate President                               :       Sen. Franklin Drilon

Senate President Pro-Tempore          :       Sen. Ralph Recto

Majority Floor Leader                         :       Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano

Minority Floor Leader                         :       Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile

Committee on the Accountability of Public O cers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon)

Chairperson: Sen. Teo sto Guingona III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance by o cers 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.

Committee on Accounts

Chairperson:un lled

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the auditing and adjustment of all accounts chargeable against the
funds for the expenses and activities of the Senate.

Committee on Agrarian Reform

Chairperson: Sen. Gregorio Honasan II

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to agrarian reform, landed estates, and implementation of the agrarian
land reform provisions of the Constitution.

Committee on Agriculture and Food

Chairperson: Sen. Cynthia Villar

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to agriculture, food-production and agri-business, such as agricultural
experimental stations, soil survey and conservation, animal husbandry, and sheries and aquatic
resources.

Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies

Chairperson: Sen. Sergio Osmeña III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to banks, nancial institutions, government and private currencies,
capital markets, mutual funds, securitization, coinage and circulation of money.

Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization

Chairperson: Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the civil service and the status of o cers and employees of the
government including their compensation privileges, bene ts, and collective negotiation agreements;
reorganization of the government or any of its branches; and all other matters relating to the bureaucracy.

Committee on Climate Change

Chairperson: Sen. Loren Legarda

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies, programs, strategies, technologies and other innovations
addressing global warming and climate change impacts.

Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes

Chairperson: Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago

Jurisdiction: All matters proposing amendments to the constitution of the Philippines, and the revision of
existing codes.

Committee on Cooperatives

Chairperson: Sen. Manuel Lapid

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cooperatives, including farm credit and farm security, cooperative
movements, and the implementation of the Cooperative Code of the Philippines.

Committee on Cultural Communities

Chairperson: Sen. Loren Legarda

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cultural communities.

Committee on Economic Affairs

Chairperson: Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to economic planning and programming, general economic development,
and coordination, regulation and diversi cation of industry and investments.

Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture

Chairperson: Sen. Pia Cayetano

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to education, schools, colleges, and universities; the implementation of
the constitution provision for a free public elementary and secondary education; non-formal, informal and
indigenous learning systems, and adult education; the preservation, enrichment and evolution of Filipino
arts and culture; and the establishment and maintenance of libraries, museums, shrines, monuments, and
other historical sites and edi ces.

Committee on Electoral Reform and People’s Participation

Chairperson: Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III

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 o cials, the role and rights of
people’s organizations, and sectoral or party list representation.

Committee on Energy

Chairperson: Sen. Sergio Osmeña III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the exploration, exploitation, development, extraction, importation,
re ning, 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.

Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Chairperson: Sen. Loren Legarda

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the conservation and protection of the environment, and all matters
relating to the management, development, protection, exploration and utilization of the country’s national
reserves such as forest and mineral resources.

Committee on Ethics and Privileges

Chairperson:un lled

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the conduct, rights, privileges, safety, dignity, integrity, and reputation
of the Senate and its members.

Committee on Finance
Chairpersons: Sen. Francis Escudero (Subcommittee A), Sen. Sergio Osmeña III (Subcommittee B), Sen.
Loren Legarda (Subcommittee C), Sen. Ralph Recto (Subcommittee D), Sen. Teo sto Guingona III
(Subcommittee E)

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.

Committee on Foreign Relations

Chairperson: Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago

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.

Committee on Games, Amusement, and Sports

Chairperson: Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to games and amusement such as lotteries, horse-racing, boxing, and
basketball, and matters related to amateur grassroots and elite sports development.

Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises

Chairperson: Sen. Cynthia Villar

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

Committee on Health and Demography

Chairperson: Sen. Teo sto Guingona III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to public health, medical, hospital and quarantine services, and
population issues, concerns, policies and programs affecting individuals and their families.

Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Chairperson: Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the organization and administration of justice, civil courts, and
penitentiaries; impeachment proceedings against constitutional o cers and other o cers; registration of
land titles; immigration and naturalization; the implementation of the constitutional provisions on human
rights; and all matters pertaining to the e ciency and reforms in the prosecution service.

Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development

Chairperson: Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada

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.

Committee on Local Government

Chairperson: Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to autonomous regions, provinces, cities, special metropolitan political
subdivisions, municipalities, and barangays.

Committee on National Defense and Security

Chairperson: Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to national defense, and external and internal threats to national security;
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); war veterans and military retirees; civil defense; and military
research and development.

Committee on Peace, Uni cation, and Reconciliation

Chairperson: Sen. Teo sto Guingona III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to peace, armed con ict resolution, political negotiation, cessation of
hostilities, amnesty, integration and development of former rebels, and national uni cation and
reconciliation.

Committee on Public Information and Mass Media

Chairperson: Sen. Grace Poe

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.

Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs

Chairperson: Sen. Grace Poe

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.

Committee on Public Services

Chairperson: Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.

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.

Committee on Public Works

Chairperson: Sen. Ferdinand Marcos 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 ood control, and
irrigation and water utilities.

Committee on Rules

Chairperson: Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano

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.

Committee on Science and Technology

Chairperson: Sen. Ralph Recto

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to science and technology, including scienti c and technological
research, development and advancement.

Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development

Chairperson: Sen. Maria Lourdes Binay

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

Committee on Tourism

Chairperson: Sen. Manuel Lapid

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to tourism and the tourist industry.

Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship

Chairperson: Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV

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.

Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement

Chairperson: Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to urban land reform planning, housing, resettlement, and urban
community development.

Committee on Ways and Means

Chairperson: Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to revenue-generation, taxes and fees, tariffs, loans, and other sources
and forms of revenue.
Committee on Women, Family Relations, and Gender Equality

Chairperson: Sen. Pia Cayetano

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the women, family relations, and equality before the law of women and
men.

Committee on Youth

Chairperson: Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV

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.

O cers and committees of the House of Representatives

House Speaker                     :       Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Quezon City, 4th District)

Deputy House Speakers        :       Rep. Henedina Abad (Batanes, Lone District)

                                                       Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao (Isabela, 4th District)

                                                       Rep. Sergio Apostol (Leyte, 2nd District)

                                                       Rep. Pangalian Balindong (Lanao del Sur, 2nd District)

                                                       Rep. Carlos Padilla (Nueva Vizcaya, Lone District)

                                                       Rep. Roberto Puno (Antipolo City, 1st District)

Majority Floor Leader             :       Rep. Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong City, Lone District)

Minority Floor Leader             :       Rep. Ronaldo Zamora (San Juan City, Lone District)

Committee on Accounts

Chairperson: Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the internal budget of the House of Representatives, including budget
preparation, submission and approval, disbursements, accounting, and nancial operations.
Committee on Agrarian Reform

Chairperson: Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao, Lone District)

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

Committee on Agriculture and Food

Chairperson: Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza (Batangas, 4th District)

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.

Committee on Appropriations

Chairperson: Rep. Isidro Ungab (Davao City, 3rd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the expenditures of the national government including payment of
public indebtedness, creation or abolition and classi cation of positions in government, and the
determination of salaries, allowances and bene ts of government personnel.

Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources

Chairperson: Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th District)

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

Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries

Chairperson: Rep. Sonny Collantes (Batangas, 3rd District)

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

Committee on Basic Education and Culture

Chairperson: Rep. Kimi Cojuangco (Pangasinan, 5th District)

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.

Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation

Chairperson: Rep. Andres Salvacion Jr. (Leyte, 3rd District)

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

Committee on Constitutional Amendments

Chairperson: Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano (Davao City, 2nd District)

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

Committee on Cooperatives Development

Chairperson: Rep. Cresente Paez (COOP NATCCO Party-list)

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.

Committee on Dangerous Drugs

Chairperson: Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr. (Iligan City, Lone District)

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

Committee on Ecology

Chairperson: Rep. Amado Bagatsing (Manila, 5th District)

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

Committee on Economic Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Enrique Cojuangco (Tarlac, 1st District)

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

Committee on Energy

Chairperson: Rep. Reynaldo Umali (Oriental Mindoro, 2nd District)

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.

Committee on Ethics and Privileges

Chairperson: Rep. Joaquin Chipeco Jr. (Laguna, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the duties, conduct, rights, privileges and immunities, dignity, integrity,
and reputation of the House of Representatives and its members.

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Al Francis Bichara (Albay, 2nd District)

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.

Committee on Games and Amusements

Chairperson: Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. (Cavite, 4th District)

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

Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability

Chairperson: Rep. Oscar Rodriguez (Pampanga, 3rd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance by o cers 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.

Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization

Chairperson: Rep. Jesus Sacdalan (North Cotabato, 1st District)

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 nancial institutions.

Committee on Government Reorganization

Chairperson: Rep. Romeo Acop (Antipolo City, 2nd District)

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.

Committee on Health

Chairperson: Rep. Eufranio Eriguel, M.D. (La Union, 2nd District)

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

Committee on Higher and Technical Education

Chairperson: Rep. Roman Romulo (Pasig City, Lone District)

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

Committee on Housing and Urban Development

Chairperson: Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District)

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.

Committee on Human Rights

Chairperson: Rep. Guillermo Romarate Jr. (Surigao del Norte, 2nd District)

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.

Committee on Information and Communications Technology

Chairperson: Rep. Joel Roy Duavit (Rizal, 1st District)

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.

Committee on Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy

Chairperson: Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, 1st District)

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.

Committee on Justice

Chairperson: Niel Tupas Jr. (Iloilo, 5th District)

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 de nition of crimes and their penalties.

Committee on Labor and Employment

Chairperson: Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles (Davao City, 1st District)

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.

Committee on Legislative Franchises

Chairperson: Rep. Marcelino Teodoro (Marikina City, 1st District)

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

Committee on Local Government

Chairperson: Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. (South Cotabato, 1st District)

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

Committee on Metro Manila Development

Chairperson: Rep. Winston Castelo (Quezon City, 2nd District)

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

Committee on Mindanao Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Arnulfo Go (Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District)

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

Committee on Muslim Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Tupay Loong (Sulu, 1st District)

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

Committee on National Cultural Communities

Chairperson: Rep. Nancy Catamco (North Cotabato, 2nd District)

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

Committee on National Defense and Security

Chairperson: Rep. Rodolfo Biazon (Muntinlupa City, Lone District)

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.

Committee on Natural Resources

Chairperson: Rep. Francisco Matugas (Surigao del Norte, 1st District)

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

Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Walden Bello (Akbayan Party-list)

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.

Committee on People’s Participation

Chairperson: Rep. Benjamin Asilo (Manila, 1st District)

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.

Committee on Population and Family Relations

Chairperson: Rep. Rogelio Espina, M.D. (Biliran, Lone District)

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

Chairperson: Rep. Salvio Fortuno (Camarines Sur, 5th District)

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.

Committee on Public Information

Chairperson: Rep. Jorge Almonte (Misamis Occidental, 1st District)

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.

Committee on Public Order and Safety

Chairperson: Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Negros Occidental, 4th District)

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

Committee on Public Works and Highways

Chairperson: Rep. Ronald Cosalan (Benguet, Lone District)

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

Committee on Revision of Laws

Chairperson: Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (Pangasinan, 6th District)

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

Committee on Rules

Chairperson: Rep. Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong City, Lone District)

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.

Committee on Rural Development

Chairperson: Rep. Manuel Agyao (Kalinga, Lone District)

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

Committee on Science and Technology

Chairperson: Rep. Victor Yu (Zamboanga del Sur, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to science and technology including scienti c 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.

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development

Chairperson: Rep. Neil Benedict Montejo (An Waray Party-list)

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).

Committee on Social Services

Chairperson: Rep. Arturo Robes (San Juan del Monte City, Lone District)

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.

Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms

Chairperson: Rep. Fredenil Castro (Capiz, 2nd District)

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

Committee on Tourism

Chairperson: Rep. Rene Relampagos (Bohol, 1st District)

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

Committee on Trade and Industry

Chairperson: Rep. Mark Villar (Las Piñas City, Lone District)

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 diversi cation of industry and
investments.

Committee on Transportation

Chairperson: Rep. Cesar Sarmiento (Catanduanes, Lone District)

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.

Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare

Chairperson: Rep. Herminia Roman (Bataan, 1st District)

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

Committee on Ways and Means

Chairperson: Rep. Romero Quimbo (Marikina City, 2nd District)

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

Committee on Welfare of Children

Chairperson: Rep. Aurora Enerio Cerilles (Zamboanga del Sur, 2nd District)

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

Committee on Welfare and Gender Equality

Chairperson: Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica (Bulacan, 4th District)

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.

Committee on Youth and Sports Development

Chairperson: Rep. Anthony Del Rosario (Davao del Norte, 1st District)

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.

Special Committee on Bases Conversion

Chairperson: Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales (CIBAC Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs relating to bases conversion, the operation of
special economic zones in former military bases, sale of military camps, relocation of military camps and
personnel, and the construction of new military camps.

Special Committee on Bicol Recovery and Economic Development

Chairperson: Rep. Rodel Batocabe (Ako Bicol Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs to promote the development of the Bicol region,
inclusive of developmental projects, care programs and the Bicol River basin project.

Special Committee on the East ASEAN Growth Area

Chairperson: Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza (TUCP Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to social, political, economic policies affecting the countries within the
area, and the promotion of trade and investment among these countries.

Special Committee on Food Security

Chairperson: Rep. Agapito Guanlao (Butil Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to programs and policies relating to food production and distribution,
sustained growth and self-reliance in the production of basic food commodities, the availability of these
commodities to the people, and long-term food security for the nation.

Special Committee on Globalization and WTO

Chairperson: Rep. Irwin Tieng (Buhay Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the effects on various social sectors of World Trade Organization
(WTO) policies, and other actions to harness opportunities offered by globalization for development.

Special Committee on Land Use

Chairperson: Rep. Kaka Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to land use issues inclusive of the enhancement of resource use and
management of indigenous cultural communities, preservation of historical and cultural heritage sites,
and linkages among agencies and stakeholders in land resource management.

Special Committee on Millennium Development Goals

Chairperson: Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. (Aklan, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the achievement of the country’s commitment to the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Special Committee on the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle

Chairperson: Rep. Maximo Dalog (Mountain Province, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to all policies and programs concerning the development of
municipalities, cities, provinces, and other local communities in the northwest Luzon area.
Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity

Chairperson: Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman (Basilan, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to negotiations and other initiatives in pursuit of the peace process and
national reconciliation, the cessation of hostilities generated by internal armed con icts, and the welfare
of rebel-returnees.

Special Committee on Reforestation

Chairperson: Rep. Susan Yap (Tarlac, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs on reforestation, and other actions to ensure
the implementation of a sustained community-based nationwide reforestation program.

Committee on Southern Tagalog Development

Chairperson: Rep. Isidro Rodriguez Jr. (Rizal, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the development of the Southern Tagalog area, inclusive agricultural
areas, tourism, economic, and industrial estates and processing areas therein.

HISTORY OF THE LEGISLATURE

REPRESENTATION IN THE SPANISH CORTES
Prior to the creation of a legislature in the Philippines, Filipinos, from time to time, were allowed to sit in
the Spanish Cortes as representatives of the Philippine Islands. In 1810, the Spanish government allowed
Filipinos to receive Spanish citizenship and appropriate representation in the Cortes. When the Cadiz
Constitution was in full force and effect, Filipino representation became a standard in the Cortes.
However, in 1837, the liberal Cortes nally abolished representation and declared that overseas territories
of Spain to be ruled by special laws. This loss of representation was one of the main points that Jose
Rizal and other propagandists were ghting for during the Propaganda movement.

MALOLOS REPUBLIC, 1899 – 1901

The rst Filipino legislature was convened on September 15, 1898 in Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan.
Later known as the Malolos Republic, it drafted the rst constitution of the Philippines, which was also the
rst democratic constitution in Asia. The Congress included delegates from different provinces of the
Philippines, some elected and some appointed. It was a short-lived legislature, unable to pass any laws
due to the onset of the Philippine-American War. The rst Philippine Republic was ended on March 23,
1901 with the capture of President Emilio Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela.

PHILIPPINE COMMISSION, 1899 – 1916

In 1899, United States President William McKinley appointed a commission led by Dr. Jacob Schurman to
study and investigate the conditions in the Philippine Islands. This would be known as the rst Philippine
Commission. It was followed by another investigative commission led by William Howard Taft in 1900,
which also had limited legislative and executive powers. From 1901 onwards, the Philippine Commission
would be regularized. It exercised both executive and legislative powers, with three Filipino delegates,
namely Benito Legarda, Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, Jose Luzuriaga. After the organization of the Philippine
Assembly (see below) in 1907, the commission stayed on as the upper house of the legislature.

PHILIPPINE ASSEMBLY, 1907 – 1916

Electoral representation in the Philippines by Filipinos began when the American insular government
allowed partial self-governance by establishing the Philippine Assembly. The assembly, as the lower
house, shared legislative power with the Philippine Commission, which remained under American control,
as membership in the Philippine Commission was still restricted to appointed American o cials. In 1907,
still under American rule, the Philippines held its rst national elections for the newly created
representative body, which had an inaugural membership of 81 Filipinos representing their respective
districts. In the succeeding years, the number of districts were increased to 85 in 1910, and 91 in 1912.

RESIDENT COMMISSIONERS, 1907 – 1946

From 1907 to 1946, the Philippine legislature sent a representative to sit in the U.S. House of
Representatives, as resident commissioner. Under Spain, the Philippines had also been given limited
representation in the Spanish Cortes, and like the resident commissioners, they had the right to speak, but
not to vote. The restoration of Philippine independence in 1946 ended Philippine representation in the U.S.
Congress. (Note: To this day, Puerto Rico still has a resident commissioner in the U.S. House of
Representatives.)

THE PHILIPPINE LEGISLATURE, 1916 – 1935

Upon the enactment of the Jones Law in 1916, the Filipinos were subsequently granted the opportunity to
hold other o ces in the government. Positions in the Philippine Senate were opened to Filipinos, with 12
senatorial districts and two senators elected from each. The inaugural President of the Senate in 1916
was Manuel L. Quezon, representing the fth senatorial district. He would hold this position until the
establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines in 1935. For the 19 years prior to the
Commonwealth, the Senate presidency was the highest position a Filipino could hold.
From the rst Philippine Commission to the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the
Philippine legislature were passing public acts. This form of legislation is started at Congress, with the
approval of the American governor-general of the Philippine Islands.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES, 1935 – 1946

On November 15, 1935, Quezon took his oath as the rst President of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines, giving control of the executive branch of government to the Filipinos. It was also in this era
that the Supreme Court of the Philippines was completely Filipinized. By virtue of the 1935 Constitution,
the bicameral Philippine legislature was merged to form the unicameral National Assembly.

Two elections were held under the Commonwealth. The rst, in 1935, elected the President of the
Philippines as well as members of the National Assembly; the second, in 1939, elected only members of
the National Assembly. The National Assembly would be retained until 1941, when a new structure for the
legislature was introduced through a constitutional amendment.

From the Commonwealth period to the inauguration of the Third Philippine Republic, the Philippine
legislature was passing Commonwealth acts (CA). This form of legislation is started at the National
Assembly and approved by the President of the Philippines.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS OF 1941

After six years under a unicameral legislature, the Constitution of 1935 was amended, dividing the
National Assembly into two separate houses. The Senate of the Philippines and the House of
Representatives were reestablished, with a Senate President and a Speaker of the House leading their
respective chambers.

The elections for members of these newly created chambers were held in 1941. However, the onset of
World War II prevented the elected members from assuming their posts and the legislature of the
Commonwealth of the Philippines was dissolved upon the exile of the government of the Philippines.

THE SECOND REPUBLIC, 1943

On October 14, 1943, the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic was inaugurated, with Jose. P. Laurel as
the President. This government followed the newly crafted 1943 Constitution, and reverted the legislature
back to a unicameral National Assembly. The National Assembly of the Second Republic would remain in
existence until the arrival of the Allied forces in 1944, which liberated the Philippines from the Imperial
Japanese forces.

RESTORATION OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMONWEALTH, 1945 – 1946

Upon the reestablishment of the Commonwealth in 1945, President Sergio Osmeña called for a special
session of Congress. The rst Congress convened on June 9 of that year, with most of the senators and
representatives, who were elected in 1941, assuming their positions. Manuel Roxas and Jose C. Zulueta
served as Senate President and Speaker of the House, respectively. Not all, however, were allowed to take
their post because some were incarcerated for collaboration with the Japanese.

The inaugural session, was held in a converted school house in Lepanto St., Manila, as the Legislative
Building in Manila was reduced to ruins as an outcome of the war.

On April 23, 1946, national elections were held to choose new members of Congress, the President, and
the Vice President of the Philippines. After the elections the second Congress of the Commonwealth
convened on May 25, 1946. It would only last until July 4, 1946, with the inauguration of the Third Republic
of the Philippines.

THE THIRD REPUBLIC, 1946 – 1972

The independent Republic of the Philippines was nally proclaimed on July 4, 1946 with Manuel Roxas as
President. The Second Congress of the Commonwealth was transformed into the rst Congress of the
Republic of the Philippines, also made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. This would
mark the beginning of the count of Congresses of the Republic until the imposition of Martial Law in 1972,
when Congress would be dissolved.

This era started the legislation of republic acts which would continue until 1972. Upon the restoration of
democracy in 1986 and the rati cation of the 1987 Constitution, the naming of laws as republic acts
would be reinstated.

MARTIAL LAW AND THE FOURTH REPUBLIC, 1972-1986

On September 23, 1972 President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Presidential Proclamation No. 1081
(http://www.o cialgazette.gov.ph/1972/09/21/proclamation-no-1081/), placing the entire country under
Martial Law. This coincided with the closing of the sessions of both chambers of Congress. Days before
the scheduled reopening of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Marcos promulgated the 1973
Constitution, which effectively abolished the bicameral legislature and replaced it with a unicameral
legislature. Opposition legislators reported to the Legislative Building on January 22, 1973, but found the
building padlocked and under an armed guard.

Under martial rule, Marcos created the Batasang Bayan in 1976, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 995,
to serve as a legislative advisory council—a quasi-legislative machinery to normalize the legislative
process for the eventual actualization of the 1973 Constitution. The Batasang Bayan would hold o ce in
the Philippine International Convention Center (a modernist structure designed by National Artist for
Architecture Leandro Locsin, within the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex—a pet project of First
Lady Imelda R. Marcos). The consultative body would serve until 1978.

The Batasang Bayan would be replaced in 1978 by an elected unicameral body: the Interim Batasang
Pambansa (IBP), a parliamentary legislature, as provided for in the 1973 Constitution. On April 7, 1978,
elections for were held. Those elected to the IBP would be called Mambabatas Pambansa
(Assemblymen) who would be elected per region, via a bloc-voting system. The IBP opened on
Independence Day 1984 in the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City.

Members of the Regular Batasang Pambansa (RBP) were elected in 1984, this time at-large and per
province. The RBP held its inaugural session on July 23, 1984.

In 1986, President Marcos succumbed to international pressure and called for a snap presidential
election. Though Marcos and his running mate former Senator and Assemblyman Arturo Tolentino were
proclaimed by the Batasang Pambansa as the winners of the election, a popular revolt installed
opposition leaders Corazon C. Aquino and Salvador H. Laurel as President and Vice President,
respectively.

For both the IBP and RBP, the laws passed would be called “Batas Pambansa,” which did not continue the
previous numbering of Republic Acts.

THE FIFTH REPUBLIC, 1987 – PRESENT

On March 25, 1986, President Aquino declared a revolutionary government by virtue of Presidential
Proclamation No. 3, s. 1986 (http://www.o cialgazette.gov.ph/1986/03/25/proclamation-no-3-s-1986-
2/), which suspended some provisions of the 1973 Constitution and promulgated in its stead a transitory
constitution. This effectively abolished the Batasang Pambansa. A constitutional commission, tasked
with drafting a new charter, was created by virtue of Proclamation No. 9
(http://www.o cialgazette.gov.ph/1986/04/23/proclamation-no-9-s-1986/) issued on April 23, 1986.

Following the overwhelming rati cation of the 1987 Constitution through a national plebiscite held on
February 2, 1987, the 1987 Constitution nally came into full force and effect on February 11, 1987. It re-
established a bicameral legislature, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, much like
the way it was before martial law. The former, being much larger in composition, reopened in the Batasan
Pambansa while the Senate, still with its 24 members, returned to the Legislative Building. In 1997, the
Senate of the Philippines moved to the GSIS building where it is currently housed.
Laws passed by the bicameral legislature would restore “Republic Acts”, as the laws were named in the
Third Republic (1946-1972). Moreover, it was decided to maintain the old count, taking up where the last
pre-martial law Congress left off. Thus, the last Congress under the 1935 Constitution was the seventh
Congress, and the rst Congress under the 1987 Constitution became the eighth Congress.

____________________

The constitutional provisions for the legislature are written in Article VI of the 1987 Constitution
(http://www.o cialgazette.gov.ph/the-philippine-constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-
the-philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-article-vi/).

Visit the website of the Senate of the Philippines: www.senate.gov.ph (http://www.senate.gov.ph/)

Visit the website of the House of Representatives: www.congress.gov.ph (http://www.congress.gov.ph/)

Evolution of the Philippine Congress: A graphic timeline

(http://pcdspo.gov.ph/downloads/2012/08/FINAL_TIMELINE2.pdf)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

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