LEGISLATIVE RULES

Legislative Rules are the rules of procedure for the

internal order of law-making bodies.
First adopted by the Philippine Assembly under the
Philippine Bill of 1902.
The present Senate and House of Representatives have
their separate rules which include the Rules in Aid of
Legislation, Rules on Impeachment Proceedings, etc.
RULES OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
 CONVENING AND ORGANIZING THE HOUSE
The first meeting shall commence on the 4th Monday of
July immediately following the election.
It shall be presided over by the Secretary General from
the preceding Congress.
Election of the Floor Leader, Speaker of the House,
Deputy Speakers, Secretary General, and Sergeant-At-
Arms
 CONVENING THE HOUSE
The House shall convene once a year on the 4th Monday
of July for the regular session.
It shall not end later than 30 days before the next
regular session
The President may call for a special session.
Exceptional Cases
oAfter the vacancy of the President and Vice-President, the house shall
convene to enact a law for a special election.
 MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall commence upon proclamation of the
winning candidates.
A term lasts for 3 years and begins at noon of the 30th
of June following the election.
A member cannot serve for more than 3 consecutive
terms.
 MAJORITY AND MINORITY
Those who voted for the Speaker of the House are the
majority.
Members who choose not to align themselves with the
majority or minority shall be considered independent.
 THE OFFICIALS OF THE HOUSE
The Speaker - responsible for the overall management of the
proceedings.
The Deputy Speakers – (6) duties are prescribed by the Speaker
The Secretary General – enforces the orders and decisions of the
house; keeps the Journal; presides over the 1st legislative session
The Sergeant-At-Arms – responsible for the maintenance of
order in the house.
 THE HRET AND THE COMMISSION ON
APPOINTMENTS
House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal –
composed of 6 members
Commission on Appointments – composed of 12
members
Both can adopt their own rules and regulations.
 COMMITTEES
Shall study, deliberate on, and act upon all
measures referred to them and shall
recommend for the approval or the adoption
of the bills, resolutions, or petitions which
advance the interests and promote the welfare
of the people.
 DECORUM AND DEBATE
When any member desires to speak, they shall rise and
address the Chair as “Mister/Madam Speaker”
In case two members rise at the same time, the Chair shall
recognize who speaks first.
There is a 1 hour time limit for each member.
 PRIVILEGE HOUR & QUESTION HOUR
Privilege Hour – on Mondays after the first reading and referral
to bills, resolutions, etc., there shall be a privilege hour which shall
not be interrupted except for a point of order or a motion to
adjourn; any member may speak on any matter of general
interest.
Question Hour – when a department head desires to appear
before the House, they may do so with the consent of the President;
they may also be requested to appear.
 PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION
The House may propose to amend or revise the
Constitution upon a 3/4 vote of all its members.
Upon a 2/3 vote of all the members, a constitutional
convention may be called.
 PAPERS, BOOKS, AND RECORDS
Congressional Record – a verbatim account of the remarks
made during the proceedings of the House.
All papers and records are to be kept and preserved in the
archives.
The records and books of accounts of the House shall be
preserved and be open to the public in accordance with law. Books
of accounts of the House shall be available for audit by the
Commission on Audit.
RULES OF THE SENATE
 ELECTIVE OFFICERS
Shall be elected by the majority vote of all the members.
Senate President – presides over the sessions of the Senate and calls them to
order; is also the ex officio chairman of the Commission on Appointments.
President Pro Tempore – presides over the Senate during the absence of the
Senate President.
Secretary - assists the Senate President in extending adequate and timely
legislative and administrative support to the offices of Senators.
Sergeant-At-Arms – responsible for the security and maintenance of order in
the Senate.
 TERM OF OFFICE
A Senator’s term begins upon their election and ends
when their successors have been elected.
6 year tenure per term, with a maximum of 2 terms
Half of the members are elected every 3 years
 THE COMMITTEES
Permanent committees shall be formed after the
organization of the Senate.
Special committees may be organized.
The membership of the permanent committees shall be
chosen by the Senate.
Every committee shall determine the frequency of its
regular meetings.
 SENATE SESSIONS
The Senate shall meet at 3:00pm on weekdays except
when decided otherwise.
They shall convene once a year for its regular session.
Quorum – shall be constituted by a majority of the
Senators.
Journal - Contains an account of what takes
place every session.
Record of the Senate – reflects in detail
everything said, done, and read in a session.
 MANNER OF HAVING THE FLOOR
If a Senator wishes to speak, he shall rise and request the
Senate President or Presiding Officer to allow him to have
the floor.
He shall not be interrupted.
A sponsor of a bill may consume as much time as he
deems necessary to express its contents.
 AMENDMENTS AND MOTIONS
Amendments to bills and resolutions should be presented
concretely and specifically in the course of the debate and
must be done in writing.
Motions may be presented orally but can be required to
be done in writing.
 EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Must always be held inside closed doors.
Shall be held whenever a Senator requests it and when
his petition has been seconded, or whenever the security of
the State or when public interest requires it.