Legislative Department

Question 1

Composition of the Senate

Answer 1

24 senators elected at large

Question 2

Qualifications of a Senator

Answer 2

1. Natural-born citizen of the Philippines
2. At least 35 years of age on the day of the election
3. Able to read and write
4. Registered Voter
5. Resident of the Philippines for not less than 2 years immediately preceding the day of the election

Question 3

Term of Office

Answer 3

6 years starting at noon on the 30th day of June following the elections. No senator shall serve for more than 2 consecutive terms.

Question 4

Composition of the House of Representatives

Answer 4

Composed of not more than 250 members unless otherwise fixed by law consisting of:
1. District representatives - elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities, and the Metro Manila
2. Party-list representatives - constitute 20% of the total number of representatives, elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations

Question 5

Term of Office of Members of HOR

Answer 5

3 years which shall begin unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the 30th of June following the elections.
Cannot serve for more than 3 consecutive terms.

Question 6

Qualifications of a District Representative

Answer 6

1. Natural-born citizen of the Philippines
2. At least 25 years on the day of the election
3. Able to read and write
4. Registered voter in the district in which he shall be elected
5. A resident of the district in which he seeks to be elected for a period of not less than 1 year immediately preceding the day of the election

Question 7

Sectoral party is one whose principal advocacy pertains to the special interest and concerns of a specific sector, either one who:

Answer 7

1. Represents marginal and underrepresented
2. Those who lack a well-defined political constituency

Question 8

Qualifications of a Party-List nominee

Answer 8

1. National born citizen
2. At least 25 years old on the day of the election. If youth sector, must be at least 25 but not more than 30 years old
3. Able to read and write
4. Registered Voter
5. Resident of the Philippines of a period not less than 1 year immediately preceding the day of the election
6. Bona fide member of the party or organization which he seeks to represent for at least 90 days preceding the day of the election

Question 9

What is the Congress’ privilege from arrest?

Answer 9

For all offenses punishable by not more than 6 years imprisonment while Congress is in session

Question 10

What is the Congress’ Parliamentary Privilege of Speech and Debate?

Answer 10

They shall not be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate made in the Congress or any committee thereof. Remarks must be:
1. Made while the legislature or legislative committee is in session
2. Made in connection with the discharge of official duties

Question 11

What is the Rule on Members of Congress holding Incompatible Offices?

Answer 11

No Member of congress may hold any other office or employment in the Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including GOCCs or their subsidiaries during his term without forfeiting his seat.

He may hold it in an e officio capacity.

Question 12

What is the rule on Members of Congress holding a forbidden office?

Answer 12

He shall not be appointed to any office which may have been created or whose emoluments had been increased during the term for which he was elected

Question 13

Rule on Disclosures and Conflict of Interest

Answer 13

Members of the Senate and the HOR shall make a full disclosure of their financial and business interests. They shall notify the House concerned of a potential conflict of interest that may arise from a proposed legislation they are authoring.

Question 14

May Members of Congress practice their professions?

Answer 14

Yes, except for lawyers who may practice law but may not personally appear as counsel before any court of justice, Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and administrative bodies.

Question 15

“Majority of all members” means

Answer 15

Absolute majority of all the members of each house.

Question 16

What does “a majority of the house” mean?

Answer 16

This is a simple majority which requires the concurrence of more than half the electors that are within the coercive jurisdiction of the house, provided a quorum is reached.

Question 17

What is an appropriation bill?

Answer 17

It is one the primary and specific purpose of which is to authorize the release of funds from the public treasury

Question 18

What is a revenue bill?

Answer 18

It is one that levies taxes and raises funds for the government

Question 19

What is a tariff bill?

Answer 19

It specifies the rates or duties to be imposed on imported articles

Question 20

What is a bill that increases public debt?

Answer 20

It is a bill that floats bonds for public subscription redeemable after a certain period

Question 21

What is a bill of local application?

Answer 21

It is one involving purely local or municipal matters, like a charter of a city

Question 22

What is a private bill?

Answer 22

An example is a bill granting honorary citizenship to a distinguished foreigner

Question 23

What is the Budgeting Process in the Government?

Answer 23

1. Budget preparation
2. Budget Legislation
3. Budget Execution
4. Budget Accountability

Question 24

Constitutional Limitations on Special Appropriation measures

Answer 24

1. It must specify the public purpose for which the sum is to be intended
2. It must be supported by funds actually available as certified to by the National Treasurer, or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposal

Question 25

Constitutional limitations on General Appropriation law

Answer 25

1. Appropriation, revenue etc shall originate from the HOR 2. Must be based on the budget prepared by the president 3. Congress may not increase the appropriations recommended by the President 4. No provision or enactment shall be embraced unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation therein 5. Form, content, and manner of preparation of budget shall be prescribed by law 6. Strictly follows the procedure for approving appropriations for other depts and agencies 7. Prohibition against laws approving appropriations for other depts 8. Discretionary funds appropriated for particular officials shall be disbursed for public purpose 9. Automatic reappropriation 10. Appropriation for sectarian purposes are prohibited

Question 26

What is augmentation?

Answer 26

The act of the head of offices authorized to use savings in their respective appropriations to provide additional funding to cover an actual deficiency in any existing item of appropriation within their respective offices

Question 27

Who are authorized to augment any item in the General Appropriations law for their respective offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations?

Answer 27

1. President 2. President of the Senate 3. Speaker of the House 4. Chief justice of the supreme court 5. Heads of Consti Comm

Question 28

What is pork barrel?

Answer 28

It is an appropriation of government spending meant for localized projects and secured solely or primarily to bring money to the representative's district. A lump sum discretionary funds primarily intended for local projects are utilized through the respective participations of the Legislative and Executive Branches of the government, including its members.

Question 29

What is the scope of the power of legislative investigation by the Congress?

Answer 29

1. The power to conduct inquiry in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of procedure 2. Power to issue summons and notices in connection with matters subject of its investigation or inquiry 3. Power to punish or declare a person in contempt during or in the course of legislative investigation 4. Power to determine the rules of its proceedings

Question 30

When does the legislative inquiry of the Senate terminate?

Answer 30

1. Upon the approval or disapproval of the Committee Report 2. Upon the expiration of 1 Congress

Question 31

Limitations on the power of legislative investigation

Answer 31

1. In aid of legislation 2. In accordance with duly published rules of procedures 3. Rights of persons appearing in or affected by such inquiry shall be respected

Question 32

What is Question hour?

Answer 32

The heads of the departments may, upon their own initiative, with the consent of the President or upon the request of either House appear before and be heard by such house on any matter pertaining to their departments. When the security of the state or public interest so requires, the appearance will be conducted in executive session.

Question 33

Until when may the Senate detain an individual declared in contempt during a legislative investigation?

Answer 33

It should only last until the termination of the legislative inquiry under which the said power is invoked (Balag v. Senate)

Question 34

What is the composition of the Electoral Tribunals?

Answer 34

9 Members: - 3 Justices of the SC designated by CJ - 6 members of the Senate or HOR as the case may be, chosen on the basis of proportional representation from the political parties and the parties or organizations registered under the party-list system

Question 35

When does the HRET acquire jurisdiction over election cases?

Answer 35

Once a winning candidate has been duly proclaimed, taken his oath, and assumed office as a member of the HOR

Question 36

What is the function of the Commission on Appointments

Answer 36

It acts as a legislative check on the appointing authority of the President and shall act on all appointments submitted to it within 30 session Congress days from their submission.

Question 37

What is the composition of the COA?

Answer 37

- President of the Senate as ex officio Chairman - 12 senators (party must have at least 2 members to be entitled to one seat, no rounding off) - 12 Members of the House On the basis of proportional representation from the parties

Question 38

Which appointments need the concurrence of COA?

Answer 38

1. Heads of Executive Departments 2. Ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls 3. Officers of the AFP from rank of colonel or naval captain 4. Officers whose appointments are vested in him by the Constitution: a. Regular members of the Judicial and Bar Council b. Chairmen and members of the Constitutional Commissions c. Sectoral representatives during the three-consecutive terms after the ratification of the Constitution

Question 39

What is people's initiative?

Answer 39

It is the power of the people to propose amendments to the Constitution or to propose or enact legislation through an election called for the purpose.