PEOPLE'S INITIATIVE (OR "PI")

- process whereby the people are given the opportunity to directly proposed or enact laws. This can also be used by the people in proposing
changes to the fundamental law of the land.

1) Petition to propose such amendments must be signed be at least 12% of ALL registered voters.

2) Every legislative district represented by at least 3% of the registered voters therein.

3) Limitation: It cannot be exercised oftener than once every 5 years.

CLASSIFICATION OF PEOPLE INITIATIVE

3 KINDS OF INITIATIVE UNDER R.A. 6735

1. Initiative on the Constitutionrefers to a petition proposing amendments to the Constitution

2. Initiative on statutesrefers to a petition to enact a national legislation

3. Initiative on local legislationrefers to a petition proposing to enact a regional, provincial, municipal, city, or barangay law,
resolution or ordinance (Section 2 [a], R.A. 6735)

2 types of people initiative

1. Indirect Initiative exercise of initiative by the people through a proposition sent to Congress or the local legislative body for action

2. Direct Initiative the people themselves filed the petition with the COMELEC and not with Congress.
REFERENDUM

- process wherein a law or part of the law passed by the legislature or local legislative body is submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection.

- provides the people with a means of expressing their opinion on proposed legislation before it becomes operative as a law.

Example:

is having citizens vote on suggested town curfew laws.

Article6 of Section 32. The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom,
whereby the people can directly propose and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law or part thereof passed by the Congress or local
legislative body after the registration of a petition therefor signed by at least ten per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which
every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters thereof.

2 CLASSES OF REFERENDUM

1. Referendum on Statutes refers to a petition to approve or reject a law, or part thereof, passed by Congress

2. Referendum on Local Law refers to a petition to approve or reject a law, resolution or ordinance enacted by regional assemblies and local
legislative bodies.

LEGISLATIVE POWER OF PRESIDENT IN CAES OF MARTIAL LAW

COMPOSITION OF THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Article VI, Section 2 of the Constitution provides:

The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines (we
means that the senators were voted upon by the entire national electorate) as may be provided by law.

It is worthy to note that the composition of the Senate is smaller in number as compared to the House of Representatives. The
members of this chamber are elected at large by the entire electorate. The rationale for this rule intends to make the Senate a
training ground for national leaders and possibly a springboard for the presidency. It follows also that the Senator, having a national
rather than only a district constituency, will have a broader outlook of the problems of the country, instead of being restricted by
narrow viewpoints and interests. With such perspective, the Senate is likely to be more circumspect, or at least less impulsive, than
the House of Representatives.

QUALIFICATION OF THE SENATE

1.) Natural-born citizen

2.) At least 35 years old on the day of the election
3.) Able to read and write
4.) A registered voter
5.) A resident of the Philippines for not less than 2 years immediately preceding the day of the election

CLASIFICATION OF THE SENATE

TERMS OF SENATORS

Sec. 4. The term of office of the Senators shall be six years and shall commence, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on
the thirtieth day of June next following their election."

Sec. 2. The Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and the local officials first elected under this Constitution
shall serve until noon of June 30, 1992.

"Of the senators elected in the election in 1992, the first twelve obtaining the highest number of votes shall serve for six years
and the remaining twelve for three years."

The last provision is for the continuity of the life of the Senate wherein twelve senators shall be elected every three years to serve
the full term of six years. This makes the House of Senate not at any time completely dissolved. This scheme is intended to
encourage the maintenance of Senate policies as well as guarantee that there will be experienced members who can help and train
newcomers in the discharge of their duties.

Following the said provision, those senators who were first elected on May 1987 served a term of only five (5) years only ending on
June 30, 1992. Of the twenty-four (24) senators elected in 1992, the first twelve obtaining the highest number of votes served the
full term of six years (1992-1998). The last twelve senators served a term of three years (1992-1995). Now, the twelve senators who
were elected in that same year (1995), they served the full term of six years. Those who were also elected in 1998 served the full
term of six years and so on.

One thing though that the Constitution specifically provides is no senator is to serve for more than two consecutive terms. The
senator therefore can serve no more than twelve (12) years in the Senate. This constitutional prohibition is intended to encourage
other political aspirants and discourage the creation and maintenance of political dynasties.
COMPOSITION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

2 kinds of members in the House of Representatives

1.) DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES

are elected directly and personally, from the territorial unit they seek to represent. There are 216 members. These units or
legislative districts were created in accordance with their respective population and on the basis of a uniform and progressive
ratio. The Constitution provides that there shall be a reapportionment of legislative districts within three years following the
return of every census.

2.) PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVES.

are chosen indirectly, through the party they represent. . There are 20 % or 54 of the total membership (270) of the House of
Representatives is composed of party-list representatives. The voters choose from the various parties listed in the
Commission on Elections. The number of candidates to be elected from each party shall depend on the percentage or
proportion of votes obtained by the party in the election

QUALIFICATION TO BECOME HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

1.) should be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines

2.) on the day of the election, is at least twenty-five (25) years of age
3.) able to read and write
4.) except the party list representatives
5.) a registered voter in the district
6.) The Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected for a term of three years, and shall serve for no more than
three consecutive terms.
 TERMS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES

The term of the members of the House of Representatives is fixed for three years which begins at noon of the thirtieth day of
June next following their election.
They shall serve of not more than three consecutive terms or a total of nine (9) years only.
One purpose in reducing the term to three years is to synchronize with the senatorial, vice-presidential and presidential
elections.
Voluntary renunciation of the office is not considered as an interruption in the continuity of a representative's service for the
full term for which he was elected.

RULES OF APPOINTMENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE

APPOINTMENTS OF GERRY MANDARING

- is a practice intended to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries
PARTLIST SYSTEM

- is any system of proportional representation in which voters choose among parties rather than among candidates. Votes are
awarded to parties in proportion to the votes they receive.
- can help create a healthy democracy, providing a citizens' voice in Congress and in local government.
- Philippine party-list system aims to increase the representation, particularly of "marginalized and underrepresented" sectors
and enhance transparency and accountability, leading to more efficient government.
- It is a mechanism of proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives from
marginalized or underrepresented national, regional and sectoral parties, or organizations or coalitions thereof registered
with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

PURPOSE OF PARTYLIST SYSTEM

QUALIFICATION TO BECOME A PARTYLIST

Section 9.

1.) A natural-born citizen of the Philippines;

2.) A registered voter;
3.) A resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one (1) year immediately preceding the election day;
4.) Able to read and write;
5.) A bona fide member of the party he seeks to represent for at least ninety (90) days preceding election day; and
6.) At least twenty-five (25) years of age on election day.

In case of a nominee of the youth sector, he must at least be twenty-five (25) but not more than thirty (30) years of age on
the day of the election. Any youth sectoral representative who attains the age of thirty during his term shall be allowed to
continue until the expiration of his term.

How many seats are available under the party-list system?

Twenty percent (20%) of the total membership in the House of Representatives is reserved for party-list representatives, or a ratio of
one (1) party list representative for every four (4) legislative district representatives.

PARAMETERS OF ELECTIONS OF PARTYLIST

1.) A person may be nominated by one party in one (1) list only;
2.) Only persons who have given their consent in writing and under oath may be named in the list;
3.) The list shall not include any candidate for any elective office in the same election or has lost his bid for an elective office in
the immediately preceding election; and
4.) No change of name or alteration of the order of nominees shall be allowed after the list has been submitted to the Comelec
except in valid cases of substitution.
RULE OF VACANCIES PARTYLIST

Section 13

Vacancy is created whenever any of the officers dies, resigns, or is permanently incapacitated, or when the House declares
any office vacant.

In case of death, resignation or permanent incapacity of the Speaker,an Acting Speaker chosen by a majority of the six (6)
Deputy Speakers from among themselves, shall assume the duties of the Speaker until a new Speaker is elected. Should a day
lapse without an Acting Speaker having been chosen by a majority of the six (6) Deputy Speakers, they shall proceed to
choose an Acting Speaker by lot from among themselves.

In case of death, resignation or permanent incapacity of any of the Deputy Speakers, the Secretary General, or the
Sergeant-at-Arms, the Speaker shall designate an Acting Deputy Speaker, Secretary General, or Sergeant-at-Arms until the
election of a new Deputy Speaker, Secretary General, or Sergeant-at-Arms, as the case may be.

Except for the position of Speaker, any position may be declared vacant by a majority vote of the Members present, there being a
quorum. The position of Speaker may only be declared vacant through nominal voting by a majority vote of all the Members. In
cases when all offices are declared vacant, the incumbent Secretary General shall preside over the proceedings of the House
only for the purpose and until the election of a new Speaker.
Section 31.

Vacancy and Succession

A vacancy in any committee shall be filled upon motion of the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader, as the case may be, and
by affirmation of such action by the House in plenary session: Provided That the proportional representation of the Majority
and the Minority in the committee is maintained.

In case of absence or temporary incapacity of the committee chairperson, the highest ranking vice-chairperson or the
Member whose name appears next to the name of the chairperson in the list of committee Members shall automatically
assume the duties of the chairperson until such time that the latter returns to office and resumes work. In case of absence or
temporary incapacity of the highest ranking vice-chairperson, the Member next in succession in the list of committee Members shall
automatically assume the duties of the chairperson and so on.

In case of vacancy in the position of committee chairperson by reason of death, resignation, permanent disability or
removal, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as when the chairperson is absent or temporarily incapacitated.
The Member who succeeds shall perform the duties of the chairperson only until such time that a new chairperson is chosen
and assumes office in accordance with Section 30 hereof.
EFFECT OF CHANGE IN AFFLIATION / PARTYLIST

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