The Journey Of A Bill To A Law In Philippines

The legislative process for passing a bill into law in the Philippines involves multiple steps, requiring the involvement of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The bill undergoes three readings in each chamber, where it can be amended or approved, before being sent to the President for signing into law or vetoed. If differences arise between the two chambers' versions, a bicameral or conference committee is formed to reconcile the discrepancies. This complex procedure ensures that legislation is thoroughly reviewed and debated before becoming law.

Bill drafting and filing

The legislative process in the Philippines involves up to 12 steps. It begins with a member of Congress—either a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives—drafting a bill. There is no limit to the number of bills a member may introduce. Once the bill is drafted, it is filed with the Office of the Secretary of the Senate or the House, where it is given a corresponding number and calendared for its first reading.

During the first reading, the title, bill number, and author's name are read on the floor; after which, it is referred to the proper committee. The committee then conducts hearings and consultation meetings. The committee may either approve the bill without amendment, approve it with changes, or recommend a substitute bill or consolidate the bill with similar bills that have been filed.

The committee report, along with its approved bill, is then prepared and submitted to the Committee on Rules to be calendared for the second reading. During the second reading, the author of the bill delivers a sponsorship speech on the floor, where members of the Senate or the House engage in debate, interpellation, and rebuttal to highlight the pros and cons of the bill. A period of amendment is allowed to incorporate any necessary changes to the bill, which may be proposed by the committee or by the members. The members then vote on the second reading version of the bill. If approved, the bill is calendared for the third reading.

On the third reading, printed copies of the bill's final version are distributed to the members. This time, only the title of the bill is read on the floor. Nominal voting is held, and if passed, the approved bill is referred to the other chamber for concurrence. The other chamber then follows the same procedure, conducting its own first, second, and third readings on the bill.

Committee review

The committee review stage is a crucial part of the legislative process in the Philippines. Once a bill has been introduced and given a number, it is referred to the appropriate committee for study and recommendation. The committee may be a standing committee, which operates as a "little legislature," or an ad hoc committee. The committee hearings are scheduled to discuss the bills referred to them, and they come under the sharpest scrutiny. This is where a bill is most likely to be substantially revised.

The committee has several options for disposing of a bill: it may approve the bill without amendment, approve it with changes, or recommend a substitute bill or the consolidation of similar bills. The committee may also reject the bill, which essentially kills it. Alternatively, the committee can report it favourably or without recommendation, allowing the chamber to consider the bill.

During the committee hearings, members may call for consultation meetings with experts in the subjects under the committee's jurisdiction. After the hearings, the committee report is prepared, describing the purpose and scope of the bill, explaining any committee amendments, and indicating proposed changes to existing laws. The report is then submitted to the Committee on Rules to be calendared for the Second Reading.

Readings and votes

The legislative process in the Philippines involves up to 12 steps, including three readings and votes in each chamber.

The first reading involves the bill's number and title being read. The bill is then sent to the relevant committee for study and recommendation. During the second reading, the bill is read in full, along with any amendments proposed by the committee. It is then subject to debates, and members of the Senate or the House of Representatives can propose further amendments. After any amendments, the bill is voted on. If approved, it goes to the third reading, where it is voted on again.

After the three readings in the first house, the bill is transmitted to the second house, where the same process of three readings is followed. If the second house approves the bill, it is authenticated and transmitted to the President. However, if the second house introduces amendments, the bill is sent back to the first house. If the first house agrees to the amendments, the bill is authenticated and sent to the President. If not, the differences are settled by a conference committee, which can include new provisions not related to the conflict between the houses. The committee's report or recommendation is then approved by both houses, and the new version is authenticated and transmitted to the President.

The President has three options: sign the bill into law, take no action and allow it to lapse into law, or veto it. If the President vetoes the bill, it is returned to the first house, which can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote. If this occurs, the bill is sent to the second house, and if two-thirds of its members also vote to pass the bill, it becomes law without requiring the President's signature.

Reconciliation

The legislative process to pass a bill into law in the Philippines involves up to 12 steps. Once a bill has been through the three readings in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is then sent to the President. However, if there are differences between the two versions of the bill, a bicameral conference committee is formed to reconcile the two versions. The committee is made up of members from each House of Congress and they settle the differences or disagreements on any provision of the bill. They can introduce new provisions that are relevant to the subject matter or report out an entirely new bill on the subject. The committee then prepares its report to be signed by all the members and the Chairman. The Conference Committee Report is then submitted for consideration and approval of both Houses. No amendments are allowed.

The Conference Committee Action is called by either chamber once both have considered the same legislation. The chamber that approved the legislation first will disagree with the amendments made by the second body and request a conference. The second body may also ask for a conference if they assume that the other chamber will not accept its amendments. The Senate President designates the members of the Senate panel in the conference committee with the approval of the Senate. The delegation can range in size depending on the length and complexity of the legislation.

The conferees' authority is limited to matters in disagreement between the two chambers. In practice, however, they have wide latitude, except where the matters in disagreement are very specific. The conferees attempt to reconcile their differences, but they generally try to grant concessions only insofar as they remain confident that the chamber they represent will accept the compromise. Once the conferees have agreed on a bill, the conference committee staff writes a conference report indicating the changes made and explaining each side's actions.

Approval of the conference report by both houses, along with any amendments on disagreement, constitutes final approval of the bill.

Presidential signing or veto

Once a bill has been approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, it is sent to the President, who has three options: they can sign the bill, veto it, or do nothing. If the President signs the bill, it becomes a law. If they choose to veto it, they must send a message to the House of Representatives, citing their reasons for doing so. Congress can override the veto if the bill is passed by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. In this case, the bill becomes law without needing the President's signature.

If the President does not act on the bill within 30 days of receiving it, the bill will lapse into law as if the President had signed it. This is sometimes referred to as a 'pocket veto'. Once a bill has been signed or lapsed, it is published and distributed as a new Republic Act.

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