How Laws Are Made In The Philippines

In the Philippines, a bill becomes a law through a multi-step process involving the Senate and the House of Representatives. A bill is first drafted by a legislator and filed in the chamber they are a member of. It then goes through three readings and committee consideration in that chamber. If approved, it is sent to the other chamber to go through the same process. If differences arise between the two versions, a bicameral conference committee is formed to reconcile them. The final bill is then sent to the President, who can sign it into law, veto it, or take no action. If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses.

The bill drafting process

The bill is then filed in the chamber of which the legislator is a member. It is given a number and calendared for its first reading. During the first reading, the title, bill number, and author's name are read on the floor. The bill is then referred to the appropriate committee by the Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The committee evaluates the bill, conducts public hearings, makes recommendations, and transmits the bill to the Plenary Session for appropriate action. The committee may introduce amendments, consolidate bills on the same subject matter, or propose a substitute bill. It then prepares a committee report, which is registered and numbered by the Bills and Index Service. The report is included in the Order of Business and referred to the Committee on Rules.

The bill then undergoes its second reading. On the second reading, the Secretary General reads the number, title, and text of the bill. This is followed by a period of sponsorship and debate, a period of amendments, and then voting. After the second reading, the bill undergoes its third and final reading. Printed copies of the bill's final version is distributed to the legislators. Only the title of the bill is read on the floor, followed by nominal voting. If the bill is approved, it is transmitted to the other chamber, where it undergoes the same legislative process.

The three readings

For the first reading, the number and title of the bill are read. The bill is then sent to the proper committee for study and recommendation. The bill is filed with the Bills and Index Service, numbered, and reproduced. Three days after its filing, it is included in the Order of Business for the first reading. On the first reading, the Secretary-General reads the title and number of the bill, and the Speaker refers the bill to the appropriate committee.

The second reading involves reading the bill in full, including any amendments proposed by the committee. The bill is then subject to debates and further amendments. After any amendments, the bill is voted upon. In the second reading, the Secretary-General reads the number, title, and text of the bill, and the following takes place: a period of sponsorship and debate, a period of amendments, and voting.

The third reading is when the bill is given final approval by a legislative body. In the third reading, the bill is again voted upon. On the third reading, the Secretary-General reads only the number and title of the bill. A roll call or nominal voting is called, and a member, if they desire, is given three minutes to explain their vote. No amendment to the bill is allowed at this stage.

The role of the President

The President of the Philippines plays a crucial role in the process of a bill becoming a law. Once a bill has been approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, it is then sent to the President for approval or veto. The President has three options:

• Sign the bill, enacting it into law.
• Refrain from acting on the bill (neither signing nor vetoing it) within 30 days of receiving it, in which case it becomes law as if the President had signed it.
• Veto the bill.

If the President chooses to veto a bill, they must return it, along with their objections, to the first house of Congress (either the Senate or the House of Representatives, depending on where the bill originated). The first house will then reconsider the bill, and if two-thirds of its members vote to pass it, it will be sent, with the President's objections, to the second house. If two-thirds of the members of the second house also vote to pass the bill, it becomes law without requiring the President's signature.

The Conference Committee

Once the committee has reached an agreement, the conference committee staff writes a conference report, indicating any changes made to the bill and explaining each side's actions. This report is then submitted to the floor for approval. Approval of the conference report by both houses, along with any amendments on disagreement, constitutes final approval of the bill.

The legislative process

First Reading of the Bill

A member of Congress drafts a bill and files it in their respective chamber. The bill undergoes its first reading, where the Secretary General reads the title and number of the bill. The bill is then referred to the appropriate committee for evaluation, public hearings, and recommendations.

Second Reading of the Bill

The bill undergoes its second reading, where the Secretary General reads the number, title, and text of the bill. This is followed by a period of sponsorship and debate, amendments, and voting. If the bill is approved, it moves to the third reading; otherwise, it is transmitted to the Archives.

Third Reading of the Bill

In the third and final reading, the Secretary General reads only the number and title of the bill. A roll call or nominal voting is conducted, and members may explain their votes. No amendments are allowed at this stage. If the bill is approved, it is transmitted to the other chamber; if not, it is sent to the Archives.

The Same Procedure in the Other Chamber

The bill undergoes the same legislative process in the other chamber (Senate or House of Representatives). If the bill is approved, it moves forward; otherwise, it is transmitted to the Archives.

Conference Committee

Once a bill is approved by both chambers, a bicameral conference committee is formed to deliberate, integrate, and reconcile any differences or amendments. The committee may introduce new provisions or report an entirely new bill on the subject. The committee prepares a report to be signed by all conferees and the chairman, which is then submitted for consideration and approval by both chambers.

Approval or Veto by the President

The approved bill is then transmitted to the President for approval or veto. The President may approve the bill, in which case it becomes a law and is assigned a Republic Act (RA) number. Alternatively, the President may veto the bill and return it to the chamber where it originated, along with a message citing the reason for the veto.

Final Legislative Action

If the bill is vetoed, Congress can decide to override the veto. If two-thirds of the members of each chamber pass the bill, it becomes a law. If the President does not sign or veto the bill within 30 days of receipt, it will also become a law.

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