House of Representatives of the Philippines

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House of Representatives of the Philippines
Kapulungán ng mgá Kinatawán ng Pilipinas/Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso
15th Congress of the Philippines
Coat of arms or logo.
Type
Type Lower house
Leadership
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Liberal
since July 26, 2010
Deputy Speakers Lorenzo Tañada III, LP
Pablo Garcia, LKS-KAM
Arnulfo Fuentebella, NPC
Crispin Remulla, NP
Ma. Isabelle Salazar , LP
Raul Daza, LP
Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Liberal
since July 26, 2010
Minority Floor Leader Edcel Lagman, Lakas Kampi CMD
since July 26, 2010
Structure
Members 287 Representatives
Political groups

    Liberal (119)
    Lakas-Kampi (45)
    NPC (30)
    Nacionalista (22)
    PMP (5)
    PDP-Laban (2)
    KBL (1)[1]
    LDP (1)
    Reporma-LM (1)
    Independent (1)
    Party-lists (42)

Vacant seats (15 party-lists, 2 district)
Current Philippine HOR composition.png
Election
Voting system Parallel voting
Last election May 10, 2010
Meeting place
HOR Philippines Session Hall.jpg
Batasang Pambansa
Batasan Hills, Quezon City,
Philippines
Website
www.congress.gov.ph

The House of Representatives of the Philippines (Filipino: Kapulungán ng mgá Kinatawán ng Pilipinas or Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso) is the lower chamber of the Congress of the Philippines. The Senate is the upper chamber. The House is often informally called the Congress. Members of the house are called Congressmen (mga kinatawán or mga konggresista) and their title is Representative. Congressmen are elected to a three-year term and can be reelected, but cannot serve more than three consecutive terms. Most congressmen are district representatives, representing a particular geographical area. There are 212 legislative districts in the country, each composed of about 250,000 people. There are also Sectoral Representatives elected through the party-list system who constitute not more than twenty percent of the total number of Representatives.

The official headquarters of the House of Representatives is at the Batasang Pambansa (literally, national legislature) located at the Batasan Hills in Quezon City in Metro Manila. The building is often simply called Batasan.

Contents

[edit] History

When the Philippines was under American colonial rule, the legislative body was the Philippine Commission which existed from September 1900 to October 1907. The President of the United States appointed the members of the Philippine Commission.

The Philippine Bill of 1902 mandated the creation of a bicameral or a two-chamber Philippine Legislature with the Philippine Commission as the Upper House and the Philippine Assembly as the Lower House. This bicameral legislature was inaugurated in October 1907. Through the leadership of Speaker Sergio Osmeña and Floor Leader Manuel L. Quezon, the Rules of the 59th Congress of the United States was substantially adopted as the Rules of the Philippine Legislature.

In 1916, the Jones Law or the Philippine Autonomy Act changed the legislative system. The Philippine Commission was abolished and a new bicameral Philippine Legislature consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate was established. The legislative system was changed again in 1935. The 1935 Constitution established a unicameral National Assembly. But in 1940, through an amendment to the 1935 Constitution, a bicameral Congress of the Philippines consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate was adopted.

Upon the inauguration of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946, Republic Act No. 6 was enacted providing that on the date of the proclamation of the Republic of the Philippines, the existing Congress would be known as the First Congress of the Republic. The 1973 Constitution abolished the bicameral Congress and created a unicameral Batasang Pambansa parliamentary system of government.

The 1987 Constitution restored the presidential system of government together with a bicameral Congress of the Philippines.

The presiding officer is the Speaker.

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[edit] Officers

[edit] Speaker

Main article: Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines

The Speaker is the head of the House of Representatives. He presides over the session; decides on all questions of order, subject to appeal by any member; signs all acts, resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by or upon order of the House; appoints, suspends, dismisses or disciplines House personnel; and exercise administrative functions.

The speaker is elected by majority of all the members of the house, including vacant seats. The speaker is traditionally elected at the convening of each Congress. Before a speaker is elected, the House's sergeant-at-arms sits as the "Presiding Officer" until a speaker is elected. Compared to the Senate President, the unseating of an incumbent speaker is rarer.

The incumbent speaker is Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. of Quezon City's 4th congressional district.

[edit] Deputy Speakers

There are a variable number of deputy speakers. The deputy speakers perform the speaker's role when the speaker is absent. In the 14th Congress, there were deputy speakers for Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and women.

[edit] Majority Floor Leader

The majority leader, aside from being the spokesman of the majority party, is to direct the deliberations on the floor. The Majority Leader is also concurrently the Chairman of the Committee on Rules. The majority leader is elected in a party caucus of the majority ruling party.

The incumbent majority floor leader is Neptali M. Gonzales, Jr. of Mandaluyong's congressional district.

[edit] Minority Floor Leader

The minority leader is the spokesman of the minority party in the House and is an ex-officio member of all standing Committees. The minority leader is elected in party caucus of all Members of the House in the minority party, although by tradition, the losing candidate for speaker is named the minority leader.

The incumbent minority floor leader is Edcel Lagman of Albay's 1st congressional district.

[edit] Speaker pro tempore

There was a position of speaker pro tempore for congresses prior the declaration of martial law. The speaker pro tempore was the next highest position in the House after the speaker. The position was replaced by the deputy speakers.

[edit] Latest election

Main article: Philippine House of Representatives elections, 2010
Party Votes Up[n 1] Entered Seats won Change
Total % Total %[n 2]
Lakas-Kampi 13,014,815 38.11% 121 164 105 36.33% −16
KABACA 70,852 0.21% 1 1 1 0.35% 0
SARRO 60,899 0.18% 1 1 0 0.00% −1
Lakas Kampi CMD coalition 13,146,566 38.49% 123 166 106 38.44% −17
Liberal 6,740,278 19.74% 29 131 42 14.67% +13
KKK/Liberal 181,852 0.53% 1 4 3 1.04% +2
Liberal Party coalition 6,922,130 20.27% 30 135 45 15.85% +15
NPC 5,227,075 15.30% 25 72 31 10.76% +6
Nacionalista 3,661,621 10.72% 24 64 25 9.08% +1
Kugi Uswag Sugbu 126,144 0.37% 0 2 0 0.00 0
PCM 120,052 0.35% 0 1 1 0.35% +1
Ugyon Kita Capiz 45,859 0.13% 0 1 0 0.00% 0
Nacionalista Party coalition 3,593,676 11.39% 24 69 26 9.09% +2
Independents 2,437,146 7.14% 4[n 3] 228 7 2.43% +3
PMP 894,750 2.62% 2 46 5 1.74% +3
Partido Navoteño 76,276 0.22% 0 1 1 0.35% +1
PMP coalition 971,026 2.84% 2 47 6 2.10% +4
PDP-Laban 285,317 0.84% 5[n 4] 14 2 0.69% −3
Bigkis Pinoy 207,384 0.61% 0 7 0 0.00% 0
PDSP 171,345 0.50% 0 4 1 0.35% +1
LDP 162,434 0.48% 1 3 2 0.69% +1
KBL 158,416 0.46% 0 10 1 0.35% +1
Aksyon Demokratiko 151,434 0.44% 0 10 0 0.00% 0
Reporma-LM 88,981 0.26% 1 3 1 0.35% 0
Bagumbayan-VNP 74,319 0.22% 0 4 0 0.00% 0
GAD 47,677 0.14% 0 1 0 0.00% 0
Ang Kapatiran 45,631 0.13% 0 2 0 0.00% 0
Aton Tamdon Utod Negrosa-non 42,796 0.13% 0 2 0 0.00% 0
PGRP 21,636 0.06% 0 10 0 0.00% 0
Lingkod Taguig 16,990 0.05% 1 1 0 0.00% −1
Bangon Pilipinas 11,257 0.03% 0 3 0 0.00% 0
Lapiang Manggagawa Workers and Peasants Party 8.894 0.03% 0 1 0 0.00% 0
Buklod 876 0.00% 0 2 0 0.00% 0
Vacant – – 4 – – – −4
New districts – – 10 – – – +10
Valid votes 33,924,132 90.96% — — — —
Sandugo 1,486 0.00% 0 1[n 5] 0 0.00% 0
Invalid or blank votes 3,369,828 9.04% — — — —
Total turnout 37,293,960 73.52% 215 792 228 78.95% +13
Registered voters 50,723,733[n 6] 100.00%
  1. ^ If a congressman is a member of two or more parties, the national or the main party the congressman is identified with will take precedence.
  2. ^ Of all 286 House members, including party-list representatives.
  3. ^ Includes Jose de Venecia, who currently has no party.
  4. ^ Includes United Opposition members.
  5. ^ Sandugo's only candidate withdrew but remained on the ballot. Votes cast for him are spoiled.
  6. ^ Excludes overseas absentee voters (568,732) who are ineligible to vote for district representatives.

[edit] District representation

Main article: Legislative districts of the Philippines

All provinces and several cities have at least one congressional/legislative district, whose residents vote for their own congressman. Each district covers a population of approximately 250,000 to 500,000 people. Provinces that have only one congressional/legislative district are divided into two provincial districts for the purpose of electing Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) members. For provinces that have more than one congressional/legislative district, the provincial districts are identical to the corresponding congressional/legislative district, with the exclusion of cities that do not vote for provincial officials.

[edit] Legislative districts in provinces

[edit] Legislative districts in cities

[edit] Sectoral representation

The party-list system is the name designated for the sectoral representation. Under the 1987 Constitution, the electorate can vote for certain party-list organizations in order to give voice to significant minorities of society that would otherwise not be adequately represented through geographical district. From 1987-1998, sectoral representatives were appointed by the President.

Since 1998, each voter votes for a single party-list organization. Organizations that garner at least 2% of the total number of votes are awarded one representative for every 2% up to a maximum of three representatives. Thus, there can be at most 50 sectoral representatives in Congress, though usually no more than 20 are elected because many organizations do not reach the required 2% minimum number of votes.

After the 2007 election, in a controversial decision, COMELEC changed how it allocates the party-list seats. Under the new formula only one party will have the maximum 3 seats. It based its decision on a formula contained in a Supreme Court decision.

[edit] Current Party-list allocation

After the controversial application of the Panganiban formula (from VFP v. COMELEC) by the Abalos Commission (COMELEC), Party-list candidates BANAT and Bayan Muna filed separate complaints on the proper allocation of seats in the party-list system. On April 23, 2009, the Supreme Court declared the two percent threshold clause in relation to the distribution of the additional seats of Republic Act No. 7941, otherwise known as the Party-List System Act unconstitutional.[2]

Following Article VI, Section 5, Paragraph 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, 20% of all seats in the House of Representatives is reserved for sectoral representatives elected in the party list system. This formula is called the Carpio formula.

To determine the number of seats for sectoral representatives, the formula for the quotient is:
S = \left(\frac{D}{0.8}\right) \times 0.2
where:
  • S is the number of seats allocated for sectoral representation,
  • D is the total number of district representatives, and
  • D / 0.8 is the total number of members of the House.

First Round

To get the first guaranteed seat, a sectoral party or organization should at least get 2% of the total votes cast for partly list elections. The formula for the quotient is:
g = \frac{V}{P}
where:
  • g is the percentage of votes garnered by the sectoral organization,
  • V is the total number of votes cast in the party list representation, and
  • P is the total number votes of the sectoral organization.
Therefore:
R_1 = 1~ \mbox{if}~g\ >= 0.02

Second Round

If the total number of guaranteed seats awarded is less than the total number of seats reserved for sectoral representatives (S), the unassigned seats will awarded in the second round of seat allocation. To get the number of additional seats, this formula will be followed.
R_2 =(S-T_1) \times g
where:
  • R2 is the total number of additional seats awarded to the sectoral organization,
  • S is the number of seats allocated for party-list representatives,
  • T1 is the total number awarded seats (R1) in the first round of seat allocation, and
  • g is the percentage of votes garnered by the sectoral organization.
Note: R2 should appear as whole integer.
Therefore, the seats awarded on the first round will be added on the seats awarded on the second round to get the final allocation of seats for a sectoral organization.
F = R_1 + R_2\ </


Final/ Wild card Allocation

If the total number of seats awarded after two rounds is still less than the total number of seats reserved for sectoral representatives (S), the remaining seats will be assigned to sectoral organizations next in rank (one seat each organization) whose R2 result is 0 until all available seats are completely distributed.
T_3 =(S-T_1-T_2)\
where:
  • T3 is the total number of sectoral organizations next in rank (in Round 2) to be given with one seat,
  • S is the number of seats allocated for party-list representatives,
  • T1 is the total number awarded seats in the first round of seat allocation, and
  • T2 is the total number awarded seats in the second round of seat allocation.


Note:

  • Each sectoral organization shall be entitled to not more than three (3) seats.
  • The succeeding party-list nominee(s) shall be given a seat if any of the initial party-list nominee(s) resign or was given an expulsion by the general membership of the House through a majority vote.

[edit] Application of formula

Main article: Philippine general election, 2007

Applying the 2007 general election, there are 220 district representatives, and 15,950,900 votes cast for party list. That makes 55 seats reserved for sectoral representatives. After the Supreme Court ruling was released, the COMELEC proclaimed 28 additional members. COMELEC however declared that there are only 219 district representatives (with the Supreme Court decision of the election of the congressional seat of Shariff Kabunsuan void and the restoration of the first district of Maguindanao), reducing seats to 54.

It is however, a point of question on the constitutionality of the new congressional districts 201 to 220 (2nd district of Cagayan de Oro City as the newest district as of 2007 elections to elect a representative) as the constitution only mandates a maximum of 250 seats (Article VI, Section 5 Paragraph 1) with 50 seats supposed to be reserved for sectoral representatives. As of May 1, 2009, the House membership increased from 242 to 273. There are also proposals to create more congressional districts. Since the constitution allows increasing membership through legislation, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile filed Senate Bill No. 3123 increasing maximum membership from 250 to 350 members.

[edit] Redistricting

Congressional district population map, as of August 1, 2007. Note the underrepresentation of areas concentrated around central and southern Luzon and central Mindanao.

Congress is mandated to reapportion the legislative districts within three years following the return of every census.[3] Since its restoration in 1987, no general apportionment law has been passed, despite the publication of four censuses in 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2007.[4] The increase in the number of representative districts since 1987, were mostly due to the creation of new provinces, cities and piecemeal redistricting of certain provinces and cities.

[edit] Most populous legislative districts

Rank Legislative districta Populationb
1 2nd District of Quezon City 1,559,641
2 2nd District of Cavitec 1,494,595
3 1st District of Caloocan City 984,530
4 1st District of Rizal 899,538
5 1st District of Maguindanaod 822,039
6 1st District of Laguna 811,486
7 2nd District of Rizal 761,617
8 1st District of Cavitec 755,705
9 1st District of South Cotabato 753,002
10 6th District of Cebue 743,715
^a Based on the Ordinance appended to the 1987 Constitution apportioning the seats of the House of Representatives.[5]
^b Based on the 2007 Census figures.[6]
^c Defunct starting the 15th Congress as Cavite was redistricted from three to seven legislative districts.</ref>
^d Formerly known as the Lone District of Shariff Kabunsuan as of July 16, 2008.[7]
^e Lapu-Lapu City was given its own seat, reducing the population from 743,715 to 451,185. </ref>

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Imelda Marcos caucuses with the Nacionalista.
  2. ^ http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/179271.htm
  3. ^ Chan-Robles Virtual Law Library. "The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines - Article VI". http://www.chanrobles.com/article6.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 
  4. ^ National Statistical Coordination Board. "NSCB - Statistics - Population and Housing". http://www.nscb.gov.ph/secstat/d_popn.asp. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 
  5. ^ Chan-Robles Virtual Law Library. "The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines - Ordinance". http://www.chanrobles.com/ordinance.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 
  6. ^ National Statistics Office. "Final Results - 2007 Census of Population". http://www.census.gov.ph/data/census2007/index.html. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 
  7. ^ Supreme Court of the Philippines. "G.R. No. 177597". http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/july2008/177597.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 

[edit] External links

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