How Laws Are Made in the Philippines

Introduction

• A law starts as a bill filed in Congress.
• The process concludes with the submission of the bill to the President for consideration.
• Once signed by the President, the bill becomes law.

The Congress of the Philippines

Structure

• Congress is divided into two chambers:
  • House of Representatives: Composed of district and party-list representatives.
  • Senate: Composed of senators.

Filing a Bill

• Any member of Congress can file a bill.
• A bill is a proposed piece of legislation addressing a societal problem and providing a solution.

The Legislative Process

First Reading

• The bill is introduced to the plenary.
• Referred to the appropriate committee.

Committee Stage

• Committees focus on specific legislative topics.
• Committee members deliberate on the bill.
• Involves resource persons and experts as part of technical working groups.
• The outcome is a committee report voted upon by committee members.
• Approved committee report is referred to the Committee on Rules.

Plenary Discussion

• Scheduled for sponsorship, interpolation, and amendments.
• The bill is sponsored by its main proponent.
• Interpolation involves defending the bill and addressing questions such as:
  • Is there a genuine problem?
  • How does the bill solve it?
  • Is this the best approach?
  • Is the bill constitutional?
• Members can introduce amendments.

Second Reading

• The bill, with or without amendments, is voted on to be approved in its final form.

Third Reading

• Printed copies distributed at least three days before the vote.
• Members vote on whether to approve the bill.

Senate Consideration

• If the Senate concurs, the bill is enrolled and sent to the President.
• If not, a bicameral conference committee is formed to harmonize differences.

Bicameral Conference Committee

• Includes representatives from both the House and Senate.
• Produces a harmonized or amended version of the bill.
• Sent back to both chambers for ratification.

Final Steps

• Once ratified, the bill is enrolled with signatures from legislative leaders.
• Transmitted to the President.
• The President can:
  • Sign the bill.
  • Sign with vetoed items.
  • Veto the bill outright.

Enactment

• A signed bill becomes law.
• Takes effect after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.