Parliament Peoples Initiative

Introduction to the Philippine Congress

Batasang pambansa session hall

Overview

The Philippine Congress stands as the cornerstone of the nation's democratic system, embodying the principles of representative governance and legislative authority. This bicameral legislature, comprising the Senate (Upper House) and the House of Representatives (Lower House), serves as the primary lawmaking body of the Philippines, established under Article VI of the 1987 Constitution.

Historical Context

The contemporary Philippine Congress evolved from a rich historical tapestry, bearing influences from both Spanish colonial rule and American governance. The first Philippine legislature, the Malolos Congress, was established in 1898 during the First Philippine Republic. However, the modern bicameral structure emerged during the American colonial period, setting the foundation for today's congressional system.

The present-day Congress, reinstated after the 1986 People Power Revolution, represents a renewed commitment to democratic principles and effective governance. This restoration marked a significant departure from the unicameral Batasang Pambansa of the Marcos era, returning to the bicameral structure that had served the nation previously.

Structure of the Philippine Congress

The Senate (Upper House)

The Senate comprises 24 members, elected at large by the entire Philippine electorate. This nationwide constituency ensures that Senators represent national, rather than local, interests.
Key features include:

  • Six-year terms of office
  • Election of 12 Senators every three years
  • Maximum of two consecutive terms
  • Minimum age requirement of 35 years
  • Natural-born Filipino citizenship requirement
  • Literacy and residency requirements
The House of Representatives (Lower House)

The House of Representatives consists of both district and party-list representatives, with a total of 316 members.
The current structure includes:

  • District Representatives elected from geographical constituencies
  • Party-list Representatives comprising 20% of total membership
  • Three-year terms of office
  • Maximum of three consecutive terms
  • Minimum age requirement of 25 years
  • Natural-born Filipino citizenship requirement
  • Literacy and residency requirements
Both houses maintain distinct leadership structures

The Senate

  • Senate President: The highest-ranking official in the Senate, responsible for presiding over sessions and overseeing the overall operations of the chamber.
  • Senate President Pro Tempore: The second-in-command in the Senate, who assumes the role of the Senate President in their absence.
  • Majority Floor Leader: The leader of the majority bloc in the Senate, responsible for setting the legislative agenda and coordinating the passage of bills.
  • Minority Floor Leader: The leader of the minority bloc in the Senate, responsible for representing the interests of the minority and opposing the majority's legislative agenda.
  • Committee Chairpersons: Senators who head various committees, responsible for conducting hearings, reviewing bills, and making recommendations to the Senate.

The House of Representatives

  • Speaker of the House: The highest-ranking official in the House, responsible for presiding over sessions and overseeing the overall operations of the chamber.
  • Deputy Speakers: Assist the Speaker in their duties and assume the role in their absence.
  • Majority Floor Leader: The leader of the majority bloc in the House, responsible for setting the legislative agenda and coordinating the passage of bills.
  • Minority Floor Leader: The leader of the minority bloc in the House, responsible for representing the interests of the minority and opposing the majority's legislative agenda.
  • Committee Chairpersons: Representatives who head various committees, responsible for conducting hearings, reviewing bills, and making recommendations to the House.
Both chambers operate through extensive committee systems
  1. Standing Committees
    • Permanent committees handling specific policy areas, such as education, health, or national defense
    • Regular oversight and legislative functions, including conducting hearings, reviewing bills, and making recommendations to the chamber
    • Continuous operation throughout each Congress, with members serving for the duration of the term
    • Examples of standing committees include the Committee on Appropriations, Committee on Ways and Means, and Committee on Justice
  2. Special Committees
    • Created for specific purposes or investigations, such as inquiring into a particular issue or addressing a pressing concern
    • Limited duration based on mandate, with the committee ceasing to exist once its purpose is fulfilled
    • Focused on particular issues or concerns, with members selected for their expertise or interest in the subject
    • Examples of special committees include the Committee on Electoral Reforms, Committee on Climate Change, and Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
  3. Joint Committees
    • Combined membership from both houses, with representatives from the Senate and House of Representatives working together
    • Handle matters requiring a unified approach, such as addressing a national crisis or coordinating legislative efforts
    • Facilitate bicameral coordination, allowing the two chambers to work together and share resources
    • Examples of joint committees include the Joint Committee on Legislative Franchises, Joint Committee on Constitutional Amendments, and Joint Committee on Human Rights

Constitutional Powers and Functions

The Philippine Congress is vested with various powers and functions that enable it to perform its duties as a lawmaking body. Its primary function is to introduce, process, and enact laws that promote the national interest and public welfare. This involves the filing of bills and resolutions, committee referral and hearings, plenary debates and voting, and bicameral conference when necessary.

In addition to its lawmaking powers, Congress also has special powers that include budget legislation, treaty ratification, declaration of war, and grant of emergency powers to the President. These powers are essential in ensuring that the government is able to respond to the needs of the people and address national concerns.

Oversight Functions

Congress also maintains crucial oversight responsibilities, which include executive branch oversight, fiscal oversight, and review of executive agreements. These functions enable Congress to ensure that the executive branch is accountable for its actions and that the government is transparent in its operations.

Executive branch oversight involves budget review and approval, investigation of government operations, confirmation of appointments, and review of executive agreements. Fiscal oversight, on the other hand, involves the annual budget process, revenue measures, public debt management, and government expenditure monitoring.

Working Mechanisms

Congress operates on specific timeframes, with regular sessions held annually from July to June. During these sessions, Congress follows a structured agenda and calendar, with a weekly schedule that typically runs from Monday to Thursday. Special sessions may also be called by the President to address specific agenda items.

The legislative process involves several stages, including first reading, committee level, second reading, and third reading. At each stage, bills are reviewed, debated, and amended before being transmitted to the other chamber for further consideration.

Support Systems and Services

Both houses of Congress maintain extensive support services that enable them to perform their duties effectively. These services include legislative staff, administrative support, and public interface.

Legislative staff provide research services, technical assistance, policy analysis, and bill drafting. Administrative support, on the other hand, involves human resources, finance and budget, facilities management, and security services.

Public Interface

Congress maintains various public engagement channels that enable citizens to participate in the democratic process. These channels include public information services, media relations, public education programs, and online presence. Constituent services are also provided, including public assistance, document access, guided tours, and educational programs.

The Role of Congress in Democracy

Congress serves essential democratic functions, including representation, check and balance, and policy development. As the voice of the people, Congress represents the interests of citizens and provides a platform for public consultation and policy advocacy.

Congress also exercises oversight over the executive branch, ensuring that it is accountable for its actions. This involves reviewing executive agreements, investigating government operations, and confirming appointments.

Challenges and Reform Initiatives

The Philippine Congress faces various challenges, including institutional issues, political challenges, and public trust concerns. These challenges have led to ongoing efforts to improve congressional operations, including modernization programs, transparency measures, and performance metrics.

Modernization programs aim to digitalize congressional operations, automate processes, and upgrade facilities. Transparency measures, on the other hand, involve improving public access, disclosing information, and establishing accountability mechanisms.


Conclusion

The Philippine Congress plays a vital role in democratic governance, serving as the primary institution of representation and lawmaking in the Philippines. Understanding its structure, functions, and operations is essential for citizens to effectively participate in the democratic process and hold their representatives accountable.

As the nation continues to face new challenges and opportunities, the Philippine Congress must adapt and evolve whilst maintaining its fundamental role as the people's representative body. This requires ongoing commitment to reform, modernization, and the strengthening of democratic principles and practices.

Through this understanding of the Philippine Congress, citizens can better appreciate their role in the democratic process and more effectively engage with their legislative representatives to promote the national interest and public welfare.