The Legislative Process: From Bill To Law In Philippines

The process of a bill becoming a law in the Philippines is a long and complex one. The Philippines has a bicameral legislature, which means that a bill must pass through two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The first step is the preparation of the bill, which can be done by senators, representatives, individuals, or groups. Once the bill is finalized, it is filed and goes through three readings. The first reading consists of reading the title and author(s) and referring the bill to the appropriate committee(s). The committee then studies the bill and either submits it to the Committee on Rules or lays it on the table. The second reading includes sponsorships, debates, and amendments, followed by a vote. If the bill passes the vote, it goes through a third reading, which is a final check and vote. If approved, the bill is sent to the other house, where it goes through the same procedure. If not, it is archived. After passing through both houses, the bill is submitted to the President of the Philippines, who can sign and pass it, veto it, or do nothing (a pocket veto). If vetoed, the bill is sent back to the originating house, which can either accept the veto or override it with a two-thirds majority vote. If the President does nothing, the bill automatically becomes law after 30 days.

Legislative proposals can originate from senators, representatives, the executive branch, or constituents

The executive branch is another source of legislative proposals. The President of the Philippines outlines their legislative agenda during the annual State of the Nation Address (SONA). Different executive departments and agencies under the President will then draft the relevant bills in support of the President's agenda and transmit them to Congress for legislative action. Each year, after the President's address, executive departments and agencies transmit drafts of proposed legislation to the House and the Senate to carry out the President's program.

Special interest groups are another source of legislative proposals. These include business, religious, labour, urban and rural poor, consumers, and trade associations. Constituents, either as individuals or groups, may also propose legislation. In these cases, a member of the Senate will often introduce such a bill by request, whether or not they support its purposes.

A bill is introduced by a member of Congress

The legislative process begins with a member of Congress introducing a bill. This can be done by any member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, known as the sponsor, who has an idea for a new law. Other members who support the bill are called co-sponsors.

Once the bill is drafted, it is introduced in the House if a Representative is the sponsor, or in the Senate if a Senator is the sponsor. There is no limit to the number of bills a member may introduce, and they may have joint sponsorship, carrying several members' names.

Major legislation is often introduced in both houses simultaneously in the form of companion bills to speed up the legislative process and show broad support for the bill.

After introduction, the bill is given a number and is read and referred to an appropriate committee. The committee hearings may include input from relevant resource persons from the government, the private sector, and special interest groups. The committee may amend, consolidate, or substitute the bill, after which a committee report is prepared.

The bill is then scheduled for consideration on Second Reading, which is one of the most challenging stages in passing a bill. During the Second Reading, the number, title, and text of the bill are read, and the floor is opened for the Period of Sponsorship and Debate, followed by the interpellation or debate. Once the period of Sponsorship and Debate is closed, the Period of Amendments is opened, where other lawmakers can propose specific wordings, stylistics, and intents to be included in the final version of the bill.

After the Second Reading, the bill is voted on, and if it is approved, it is calendared for Third Reading. Printed copies of the bill's final version are distributed to the members three days before its reading in the plenary. On the day of the Third Reading, the secretary reads only the number and title of the bill, and nominal voting is called. Amendments are not allowed during the Third Reading.

If the bill receives a majority vote, it is considered approved. If it is disapproved, it is transmitted to the Archives of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

The bill goes through committee hearings and is studied, amended, and either approved or rejected

During committee hearings, the bill is carefully examined, and its chances of passage by Congress are determined. Committees are composed of groups of Congress members who are particularly interested in different topics, such as health or international affairs. Committees may hold hearings to better understand the implications of the bill. Hearings allow the views of the executive branch, experts, other public officials, and supporters and opponents of the legislation to be put on the record.

After the committee hearings, a committee report is prepared. A committee report describes the purpose and scope of the bill, explains any committee amendments, indicates proposed changes to existing laws, and includes other relevant information. Once the report is approved by the committee, it is transmitted to the office that handles the processing of bills or resolutions and the documentation of plenary proceedings and debates.

The bill is then scheduled for consideration on Second Reading. During the Second Reading, the number, title, and text of the bill are read. The floor is then opened for the Period of Sponsorship and Debate, wherein the Committee Chairman reads the Sponsorship Speech for the bill. This is followed by the interpellation or debate, wherein the sponsor defends the merit of the proposed bill before colleagues. Once the period of Sponsorship and Debate is closed, the Period of Amendments is opened, wherein other lawmakers can propose specific wordings, stylistics, and intents to be included in the final version of the bill.

The bill is then debated and voted on by the full chamber

The legislative process in the Philippines involves both the Senate and the House of Representatives, which make up the country's bicameral Congress. Once a bill has been introduced and referred to the appropriate committees, it is then debated and voted on by the full chamber. This is one of the most challenging stages in passing a bill.

During the Second Reading, the Secretary of the Senate or the Secretary General of the House of Representatives reads the number, title, and text of the bill. The floor is then opened for the Period of Sponsorship and Debate, wherein the Committee Chairman reads the Sponsorship Speech for the bill. This is followed by the interpellation or debate wherein the sponsor defends the merit of the proposed bill before their colleagues in session. Once the period of Sponsorship and Debate is closed, the Period of Amendments is opened, wherein other lawmakers can propose specific wordings, stylistics, and intents to be included in the final version of the bill.

After the amendments, the bill's approval for Second Reading is voted on by all legislators of the house. Voting can be done either by viva voce ("aye" and "nay"), count by tellers, division of the house, or nominal voting. After the Second Reading, the amendments proposed by the legislators are absorbed. Printed copies of the bill are then reproduced for the Third Reading. The bill is then included in the Calendar of Bills for the Third Reading, and the copies are distributed to all members three days before its reading in the plenary.

On the actual day, the secretary reads only the number and title of the bill. Then, upon the motion of the Majority Leader, the roll call or nominal voting is called. By nominal voting, all members cast their "yes" or "no" vote orally to the proposed measure and are given time to explain their vote. Amendments are no longer allowed during the Third Reading. If the bill gets a majority vote, it is considered approved. If it is disapproved, it is transmitted to the Archives of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

The bill is sent to the other chamber, where it is either approved, rejected, ignored, or changed

Once a bill has been approved by one chamber of the Philippine Congress, it is sent to the other chamber for concurrence. This is where things can get interesting, as the bill may be approved, rejected, ignored, or changed.

The other chamber will typically refer the bill to the appropriate committee, which will study the bill and decide whether to submit it to the Committee on Rules, or lay it on the table. The bill will then be scheduled for consideration on Second Reading, which is one of the most challenging stages in passing a bill. During the Second Reading, the bill is read in full, and the floor is opened for debate, during which the sponsor of the bill defends its merits. Once the period of debate is closed, the period of amendments is opened, where lawmakers can propose specific wordings, stylistics, and intents to be included in the final version of the bill. After the amendments, the bill is put to a vote, and if it receives a majority, it is considered approved. If it is disapproved, it is transmitted to the Archives of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

If the bill is approved, it will then be sent back to the first chamber for their concurrence with any changes made. If the first chamber approves the bill with the changes, it will then be sent to the President of the Philippines for their signature. However, if the first chamber does not agree with the changes, the bill will go to a bicameral Conference Committee, which will work to reconcile the differences between the two chambers. The Conference Committee will consist of members from both chambers, who will settle or reconcile the differences and may also introduce new provisions. A Conference Committee Report will then be prepared and submitted to both chambers for approval.

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