RULES OF SENATE

By virtue of Section 16, Subsections (1) an (!), of Artic"e #$ of t%e &onstitution, t%e
fo""o'in( Ru"es are %ereby ao)te an s%a"" be *no'n as t%e +Ru"es of t%e Senate,+
RULE I
ELECTIVE OFFICERS
SECTION 1, T%e Senate s%a"" e"ect, in t%e -anner %ereinafter )rovie, a .resient, a
.resient .ro Te-)ore, a Secretary, an a Ser(eant/at/Ar-s,
T%ese o0cers s%a"" ta*e t%eir oat% of o0ce before enterin( into t%e isc%ar(e of t%eir
uties,
bac* to to)
RULE II
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
SEC. 2, T%e o0cers of t%e Senate s%a"" be e"ecte by t%e -a1ority vote of a"" its
2e-bers, S%ou" t%ere be -ore t%an one caniate for t%e sa-e o0ce, a no-ina" vote s%a""
be ta*en3 ot%er'ise, t%e e"ections s%a"" be viva voce or by reso"ution,
bac* to to)
RULE III
THE PRESIDENT, HIS DUTIES AND POWERS
SEC. 3, T%e .resient is t%e &%ief E4ecutive of t%e Senate, 5is uties an )o'ers are as
fo""o's6
(a) To )resie over t%e sessions of t%e Senate on t%e ays an at t%e %ours esi(nate
by it3 to ca"" t%e Senate to orer an, if t%ere is a 7uoru-, to orer t%e reain( of t%e 8ourna"
of t%e )recein( session, an, after t%e Senate s%a"" %ave acte u)on it, to is)ose of t%e
-atters a))earin( in t%e Orer of Business in accorance 'it% t%e Ru"es,
(b) To ecie a"" )oints of orer,
(c) To si(n a"" -easures, -e-oria"s, 1oint an concurrent reso"utions3 issue 'arrants,
orers of arrest, sub)oena an sub)oena uces tecu-,
() To see to it t%at a"" reso"utions of t%e Senate are co-)"ie 'it%,
(e) To %ave (enera" contro" over t%e session %a"", t%e antec%a-bers, corriors an o0ces
of t%e Senate,
(f) To -aintain orer in t%e session %a"", t%e antec%a-bers, corriors an in t%e o0ces of
t%e Senate an, '%enever t%ere is isorer, to ta*e a))ro)riate -easures to 7ue"" it,
(() To esi(nate an Actin( Ser(eant/at/Ar-s, if t%e Ser(eant/at/Ar-s resi(ns, is re)"ace
or beco-es inca)acitate,
(%) To a))oint t%e suborinate )ersonne" of t%e Senate in confor-ity 'it% t%e )rovisions
of t%e 9enera" A))ro)riations Act,
(i) To is-iss any e-)"oyee for cause, '%ic% is-issa" in t%e case of )er-anent an
c"assi:e e-)"oyees s%a"" be in confor-ity 'it% t%e &ivi" Service La',
(1) To i-inis% or increase t%e nu-ber of aut%ori;e )ersonne" by conso"iatin( or
se)aratin( )ositions or ite-s '%enever t%e 9enera" A))ro)riations Act so aut%ori;es an t%e
tota" a-ount of sa"aries or a""ocations oes not e4cee t%e a-ount ear-ar*e t%erein,
bac* to to)
RULE IV
THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, HIS DUTIES AND POWERS
SEC. 4, T%e .resient .ro Te-)ore s%a"" isc%ar(e t%e )o'ers an uties of t%e
.resient in t%e fo""o'in( cases6
(a) <%en t%e .resient is absent for one or -ore ays,
(b) <%en t%e .resient is te-)orari"y inca)acitate,
(c) $n t%e event of t%e resi(nation, re-ova", eat% or abso"ute inca)acity of t%e
.resient,
SEC. 5, $n t%e cases s)eci:e in sub)ara(ra)% (c), Section = of t%is Ru"e, t%e .resient
.ro Te-)ore s%a"" serve as Actin( .resient unti" t%e Senate s%a"" %ave e"ecte a ne'
.resient,
SEC. 6, $n case of t%e te-)orary absence of t%e .resient or t%e .resient .ro Te-)ore,
t%e 2a1ority Leaer or in %is absence, t%e Assistant 2a1ority Leaer, or any -e-ber
esi(nate by t%e .resient s%a"" isc%ar(e t%e )o'ers an uties of t%e .resient,
bac* to to)
RULE V
THE SECRETARY, HIS DUTIES AND POWERS
SEC. 7, T%e uties an )o'ers of t%e Secretary are6
(a) For t%e inau(ura" session of t%e &on(ress, to )re)are t%e Orer of Business of t%e
Senate '%ic% s%a"" inc"ue6
(1) A Reso"ution infor-in( t%e .resient of t%e .%i"i))ines t%at t%e Senate %as been
or(ani;e an %as e"ecte its .resient, .resient .ro Te-)ore, Secretary an Ser(eant/at/
Ar-s,
(>) A Reso"ution infor-in( t%e 5ouse of Re)resentatives t%at t%e Senate %as been
or(ani;e an %as e"ecte its .resient, .resient .ro Te-)ore, Secretary an Ser(eant/at/
Ar-s,
(!) A &oncurrent Reso"ution of t%e Senate an 5ouse of Re)resentatives )roviin( for a
1oint session to %ear t%e State of t%e Nation Aress of t%e .resient of t%e .%i"i))ines,
(=) A &oncurrent Reso"ution aut%ori;in( t%e a))oint-ent of a 1oint co--ittee of bot%
5ouses to infor- t%e .resient of t%e .%i"i))ines t%at &on(ress, in 1oint session, is reay to
receive %is State of t%e Nation Aress,
(b) To atten t%e sessions of t%e Senate,
(c) To o)en, '%enever t%ere is neit%er a .resient nor a .resient .ro Te-)ore, t%e :rst
session in '%ic% t%e Senators e"ecte in t%e i--eiate"y )recein( re(u"ar e"ections s%a""
)artici)ate, an to announce t%at t%e business in orer is t%e esi(nation of t%e te-)orary
.resient,
() To *ee) a Recor an 8ourna" of t%e )roceein(s of t%e Senate, an to certify t%e-
%i-se"f,
(e) To )re)are an istribute t%e ca"enars of t%e Senate,
(f) To )ub"is% an istribute t%e 8ourna" an Recor of t%e Senate,
(() To serve as custoian of a"" t%e recors of t%e Senate,
(%) To certify a"" -easures, orers an reso"utions a))rove by t%e Senate an to sta-)
t%e- 'it% its o0cia" sea" '%ic% s%a"" a"so be uner %is custoy,
(i) To a))oint, '%enever e4)ress"y aut%ori;e by t%e Senate, t%e necessary suborinate
)ersonne" t%ereof,
(1) To be res)onsib"e for t%e strict co-)"iance by t%e Senate )ersonne" 'it% t%eir uties,
u)on '%o- %e -ay i-)ose, for 1ust cause, corrective or isci)"inary -easures inc"uin( a
reco--enation to t%e .resient for t%eir is-issa",
(*) To a-inister oat% as a Notary e4 o0cio of t%e Senate,
(") To )erfor- ot%er uties in%erent in %is o0ce a"t%ou(% not s)eci:e in t%ese Ru"es,

bac* to to)
RULE VI
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS, HIS DUTIES AND POWERS
SEC. , T%e uties an )o'ers of t%e Ser(eant/at/Ar-s are6
(a) To *ee) uner %is custoy t%e 2ace of t%e Senate,
(b) To atten t%e session of t%e Senate,
(c) To be res)onsib"e for t%e security an -aintenance of orer in t%e session %a"",
antec%a-bers, corriors an o0ces of t%e Senate, '%et%er in session or not, in accorance
'it% t%e orers of t%e .resient or t%e Secretary,
() To e4ecute or serve, )ersona""y or t%rou(% %is e"e(ates, t%e su--ons '%ic% -ay be
issue by t%e Senate or by t%e )er-anent or s)ecia" co--ittees or by t%e .resient %i-se"f,
(e) To be res)onsib"e for t%e strict co-)"iance by %is suborinates of t%eir res)ective
uties, 5e -ay i-)ose u)on t%e- corrective or isci)"inary -easures for 1ust cause,
inc"uin( a reco--enation to t%e .resient of t%e Senate, t%rou(% t%e Secretary, for t%eir
is-issa",
(f) To reco--en to t%e .resient, t%rou(% t%e Secretary, a))rova" of t%e unifor- to be
'orn by t%e )ersonne" assi(ne to serve uner %i- in t%e session %a"",
bac* to to)
RULE VII
THE ACTING SECRETARY AND THE ACTING SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
SEC. !, $n t%e te-)orary absence or inca)acity of t%e Secretary, t%e ?e)uty Secretary
for Le(is"ation s%a"" act as suc% 'it% a"" t%e )o'ers an uties in%erent in sai o0ce an in
t%e case of t%e Ser(eant/at/Ar-s, t%e )erson esi(nate by t%e .resient to ta*e %is )"ace
s%a"" te-)orari"y serve as suc% o0cer,
bac* to to)
RULE VIII
TERM OF OFFICE OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS
SEC. 1", T%e ter- of o0ce of t%e .resient, t%e .resient .ro Te-)ore, t%e Secretary
an t%e Ser(eant/at/Ar-s s%a"" be(in u)on t%eir e"ection an en '%en t%eir successors
s%a"" %ave been e"ecte,
SEC. 11, Any vacancy in t%e O0ce of t%e Secretary or O0ce of t%e Ser(eant/at/Ar-s
s%a"" be :""e in accorance 'it% Section > %ereof6 .rovie, T%at '%en t%e vacancy occurs
urin( a recess, t%e ?e)uty Secretary for Le(is"ation s%a"" be t%e Actin( Secretary an t%e
.resient of t%e Senate -ay esi(nate an Actin( Ser(eant/at/Ar-s,
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RULE I#
ORGANI$ATION OF THE SENATE
SEC. 12. In the first session following every periodic election of Senators, the Senate shall
proceed with its organization. If in such organizational session there be neither President nor
President Pro Tempore, the Secretary shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of
subparagraph (c, Section ! of "ule #.
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RULE #
THE COMMITTEES
SEC. 13. $fter the organization of the Senate in the manner provided in "ule I%, the
following permanent committees shall be formed, with the duties, powers and general
&urisdiction specified hereunder'
(( Committee on Rules. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters affecting the "ules of the Senate,
the calendar as well as parliamentary rules and the order and manner of transacting business and
the creation of committees.
The -hairman of the -ommittee shall be the .a&ority /eader of the Senate. The #ice
-hairmen shall be the $ssistant .a&ority /eaders.
(0 Committee on Ethics and Privileges. ) Seven (! members. $ll matters relating to the
conduct, rights, privileges, safety, dignity, integrity and reputation of the Senate and its .embers.
(1 Committee on Accounts. ) 2leven ((( members. $ll matters relating to the auditing and
ad&ustment of all accounts chargeable against the funds for the e3penses and activities of the
Senate.
(4 Committee on Finance. ) Seventeen ((! members. $ll matters relating to funds for the
e3penditures of the *ational 5overnment and for the payment of public indebtedness, auditing
of accounts and e3penditures of the *ational 5overnment, claims against the government, inter)
governmental revenue sharing, and, in general, all matters relating to public e3penditures.
(6 Committee on Ways and Means. ) 7ifteen ((6 members. $ll matters relating to revenue
generally, ta3es and fees, tariffs, loans and other sources and forms of revenue.
(8 Committee on Economic Aairs. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters relating to economic
planning and programming, the planning of domestic and foreign public indebtedness, general
economic development, and coordination, regulation and diversification of industry and
investments.
(! Committee on !an"s# Financial $nstitutions and Currencies. ) *ine (+ members. $ll
matters relating to banks, financial institutions, government and private currencies, capital
markets, mutual funds, securitization, coinage and circulation of money.
(9 Committee on %overnment Cor&orations and Pu'lic Enter&rises. ) *ine (+
members. $ll :uestions affecting government corporations, including all amendments to their
charters, the interests of the government in the different industrial and commercial enterprises,
privatization.
(+ Committee on (rade and Commerce. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters relating to
domestic and foreign trade and private corporations, patents, copyrights, trade names and
trademarks, standards, weights, measures and designs, :uality control, control and stabilization
of prices of commodities, consumer protection, handicraft and cottage industries, and marketing
of commodities.
((; Committee on Agriculture and Food. ) 2leven ((( members. $ll matters relating to
agriculture, food production and agri)business, including agricultural e3perimental stations,
agricultural economics and research, soil survey and conservation, agricultural education,
technical e3tension services, animal husbandry, livestock :uarantine, agricultural support price,
and fisheries and a:uatic resources.
((( Committee on Coo&eratives. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters relating to cooperatives,
both urban and rural based, including but not limited to farm credit and farm security,
cooperative movements, marketing and consumers< organizations, and the implementation of the
-ooperative -ode of the Philippines.
((0 Committee on Foreign Relations. ) 7ifteen ((6 members. $ll matters relating to the
relations of the Philippines with other nations generally, diplomatic and consular services, the
$ssociation of Southeast $sian *ations, the =nited *ations >rganization and its agencies, multi)
lateral organizations, all international agreements, obligations and contracts, and overseas
7ilipinos.
((1 Committee on )ational *eense and Security. ) *ineteen ((+ members. $ll matters
relating to national defense and e3ternal and internal threats to national security, the $rmed
7orces of the Philippines, pension plans and fringe benefits of war veterans and military retirees,
citizens army selective service, forts, arsenals, military camps and reservations, coast, geodetic
and meteorological surveys, civil defense, and military research and development.
((4 Committee on Peace# +niication and Reconciliation. ) Seven (! members. $ll
matters relating to peace, internal armed conflict resolution, political negotiation, cessation of
hostilities, amnesty, rebel returnees, integration and development, national unification and
reconciliation.
((6 Committee on ,ustice and -uman Rights. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters relating to
the organization and administration of &ustice, civil courts, penitentiaries and reformatory
schools, probation, impeachment proceedings against constitutional officers and other officers
legally removable by impeachment, registration of land titles, immigration and naturalization,
the implementation of the provisions of the -onstitution on human rights, and all matters
pertaining to the efficiency and reforms in the prosecution service.
((8 Committee on Pu'lic Wor"s. ) Thirteen ((1 members. $ll matters relating to
planning, construction, maintenance, improvement and repair of public buildings, highways,
bridges, roads, ports, airports, harbors and parks, drainage, flood control and protection, and
irrigation and water utilities.
((! Committee on .ocal %overnment. ) Thirteen ((1 members. $ll matters relating to
autonomous regions, provinces, cities, special metropolitan political subdivisions, municipalities
and barangays.
((9 Committee on +r'an Planning# -ousing and Resettlement. ) 2leven ((( members.
$ll matters relating to urban land reform, planning, housing, resettlement and urban community
development.
((+ Committee on Cultural Communities. ) Seven (! members. $ll matters relating to
cultural communities.
(0; Committee on Agrarian Reorm. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters relating to agrarian
reform, landed estates, and implementation of the agrarian land reform provisions of the
-onstitution.
(0( Committee on .a'or# Em&loyment and -uman Resources *evelo&ment. ) Thirteen
((1 members. $ll matters relating to labor employment and human resource development,
maintenance of industrial peace, promotion of employer)employee cooperation, labor education,
standards and statistics, organization of the labor market including recruitment, training and
placement of workers and e3ports of human resources, foreign workers in the Philippines,
promotion and development of workers< organizations, and promotion and development of
employment)intensive technology.
(00 Committee on Education# Arts and Culture. ) 7ifteen ((6 members. $ll matters
relating to education, schools, colleges, universities, implementation of the provisions of the
-onstitution regarding the establishment of free public elementary and secondary education,
scholarships grants, subsidies and incentives to deserving students, non)formal, informal,
indigenous learning systems, and adult education, the preservation, enrichment and evolution of
7ilipino arts and culture, establishment and maintenance of libraries, museums, shrines,
monuments, and other historical sites and edifices, training programs and cultural and artistic
programs of international institutions and organizations operating in the Philippines, such as the
=*2S->, and special commemorative events such as the observance of the centennial of
Philippine Independence.
(01 Committee on -ealth and *emogra&hy. ) 2leven ((( members. $ll matters relating
to public health in general, medical, hospital and :uarantine services, population issues,
concerns, policies and programs affecting individuals and their families, their effects on national,
social and economic conditions.
(04 Committee on Environment and )atural Resources. ) 7ifteen ((6 members. ) $ll
matters relating to the conservation and protection of the environment, the regulation of the
impact of human activities on the same, the promotion of environmental awareness of our
citizens, the renewal of resources in damaged eco)systems and other environment)related issues,
and all matters relating to the administration, management, development, protection, e3ploration,
storage, renewal, regulation and licensing, and wise utilization of the country<s national reserves
including, but not limited to, forest, mineral, public land, off)shore areas and the development of
industries based on these resources.
(06 Committee on Energy. ) 7ifteen ((6 members. $ll matters relating to the e3ploration,
e3ploitation, development, e3traction, importation, refining, transport, marketing, distribution,
conservation, or storage of all forms of energy products and resources such as from fossil fuels
like petroleum, coal, natural gas and gas li:uids, nuclear fuel resources, geothermal resources
and non)conventional, e3isting and potential forms of energy resources, and generation,
transmission and distribution of electric power.
(08 Committee on Science and (echnology. ) Seven (! members. $ll matters relating to
science and technology, including scientific and technological research, development and
advancement.
(0! Committee on Social ,ustice# Welare and Rural *evelo&ment. ) Seven (! members.
$ll matters relating to rural development and welfare, and the implementation of the provisions
of the -onstitution on social &ustice.
(09 Committee on Pu'lic Services. ) 2leven ((( members. $ll matters affecting public
services and utilities, communications, land, air, river and sea transportation including railroads,
inter)island navigation, and lighthouses, and the grant or amendment of legislative franchises.
(0+ Committee on Pu'lic $normation and Mass Media. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters
relating to public information, mass communication and broadcast services, the implementation
of the provisions of the -onstitution regarding ownership and management of mass media and
the advertising industry, the development and promotion of information technology, and all
matters relating to the artistic standards and :uality of the motion picture and television industry.
(1; Committee on Constitutional Amendments# Revision o Codes and .a/s. ) 2leven
((( members. $ll matters proposing amendments to the -onstitution of the Philippines and the
compilation and revision of e3isting codes and laws, election laws and implementation of
constitutional provisions on initiative and referendum on legislative acts, recall of elective
officials, the role and rights of people<s organizations, and sectoral or party)list representation.
(1( Committee on Civil Service and %overnment Reorgani0ation. ) Seven (! members.
$ll matters relating to the -ivil Service and the status of officers and employees of the
government including their appointment, discipline, retirement, their compensation privileges,
benefits and incentives, implementation of the constitutional provisions on the rights of
government workers to form and &oin labor organizations, public sector labor)management
relations and collective negotiation agreements, reorganization of the government or any of its
branches or instrumentalities, all human resource development programs pertaining to the
5overnment, and all other matters relating to the bureaucracy.
(10 Committee on Pu'lic 1rder and $llegal *rugs. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters
relating to peace and order, the Philippine *ational Police, the ?ureau of @ail .anagement and
Penology, the ?ureau of 7ire Protection, private security agencies, the use, sale, ac:uisition,
possession, cultivation, manufacture and distribution of prohibited and regulated drugs and other
similar substances as provided for under pertinent laws, and the prosecution of offenders,
rehabilitation of drug users and dependents, including the formulation of drug)related policies.
(11 Committee on 2outh# Women and Family Relations. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters
relating to the youth, women and family relations.
(14 Committee on (ourism. ) Seven (! members. $ll matters relating to tourism and the
tourist industry
(16 Committee on %ames# Amusement and S&orts. ) *ine (+ members. $ll matters
relating to games and amusement, such as lotteries, &ai)alai, horse)racing, dog)racing, wrestling,
bo3ing, basketball and all other sports, as well as matters relating to amateur sports development.
(18 Committee on Accounta'ility o Pu'lic 1icers and $nvestigations. ) Seventeen ((!
members. $ll matters relating to, including investigation of, malfeasance, misfeasance and
nonfeasance in office by officers and employees of the government, its branches, agencies,
subdivisions and instrumentalities, implementation of the provision of the -onstitution on
nepotism, and investigation of any matter of public interest on its own initiative or brought to its
attention by any member of the Senate.
SEC. 13. Ahenever necessary, special committees shall be organized, the membership and
&urisdiction of which shall be determined by the Senate President.
SEC. 14. $lthough a measure covers sub&ect matters falling within the &urisdiction of more
than one (( committee, it shall be referred to not more than two (0 committees' Provided,
however, That a motion for referral to a third committee shall be referred to the -ommittee on
"ules' Provided, further, That measures involving the appropriation of funds or embodying ta3
or revenue proposals shall respectively be referred also to the -ommittee on 7inance for the
appropriation aspect or to the -ommittee on Aays and .eans for the ta3 or revenue aspect. The
first committee mentioned in the order of referral shall be the primary committee, mainly
responsible to submit a report to the Senate incorporating therein the appropriate
recommendations of the secondary committee and the -ommittee on 7inance or the -ommittee
on Aays and .eans, as the case may be.
SEC. 15. $ll appropriations, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of public debt,
bills of local application, and private bills authored and filed by .embers of the Senate shall be
initially referred to the -ommittee on "ules.
SEC. 16. The transmittal of matters to the committees may be done with instructions through
a motion by a ma&ority of the Senators present.
SEC. 17. The membership of the permanent committees, including their respective
-hairmen, shall be chosen by the Senate. The -hairman of each committee may designate the
#ice -hairman or such #ice -hairmen of his committee and create such subcommittees as may
be deemed necessary.
SEC. 18. The -hairman and the members of the permanent committees shall commence in
the e3ercise of their duties upon their election. They shall cease when their successors shall have
been elected or designated.
SEC. 29. The President Pro Tempore and both the .a&ority and .inority /eaders of the
Senate are e3 officio members of all the permanent committees.
SEC. 21. Ahenever a motion regarding who should be a member of a permanent committee
is presented, no ob&ection against the proposed membership of any Senator in particular shall be
considered.
The ob&ections, if any, must be formulated against the proposed membership therein as a
whole.
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RULE #I
MEETINGS AND REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEES
SEC. 22. 2very committee shall determine the fre:uency of its regular meetings. If it so
desires, a committee may choose to hold its meetings or hearings on a weekend.
Special meetings may be called by the -hairman of a committee or by one)third ((B1 of its
members, but notice, including the agenda, place and time of the meeting, shall be given three
(1 days in advance to every member of the committee.
>ne)third ((B1 of all the regular members of the committee shall constitute a :uorum but in
no case shall it be less than two (0. The presence of e3 officio members may be considered in
determining the e3istence of a :uorum. Cowever, the committee may authorize a fewer number
of members to conduct public hearings on bills pending before it or to gather facts in aid of
legislation.
SEC. 23. =ne3plained absences in five (6 successive committee meetings may operate to
relin:uish regular membership therein.
SEC. 23. The committees shall hold meetings to discuss, decide and submit a report on all
matters transmitted to them. The report must be approved by ma&ority of the regular and e3)
officio members thereof.
Ahere a subcommittee is created to conduct hearings on a bill or resolution referred to a
committee, the report of the subcommittee shall be submitted to the committee through its
-hairman, for its appropriate action before the report is submitted to the Senate.
If the committee fails to act on the report of a subcommittee within thirty (1; session days
from its submission, if the Senate is in regular session, or within ten ((; session days in case of
special session, the committee shall be deemed to have waived its right to act on the same, in
which case, five (6 senators may move in writing for the inclusion of the subcommittee report in
the -alendar for >rdinary ?usiness and the President shall so order it.
$ regular member of the committee shall be presumed to have concurred in the report and
shall be precluded from opposing the same unless he enters his ob&ection thereto or files with the
Secretary of the Senate his dissenting vote within two (0 session days after the -ommittee
"eport is included in the >rder of ?usiness or unless, upon satisfactory e3planation made by the
member concerned, the President should allow otherwise.
SEC. 24. Should a secondary committee submit its report without the report of the primary
committee having been submitted, such report of the secondary committee will be referred to the
-ommittee on "ules for proper disposition.
SEC. 25. In case a bill or &oint resolution is reported out by a committee which contains an
appropriation, revenue or ta3 aspect, the report shall be referred by the primary committee to the
-ommittee on 7inance or to the -ommittee on Aays and .eans, as the case may be.
SEC. 26. If the secondary committee fails to submit its recommendations within two (0
weeks from re:uest, it shall be deemed to have waived its right to make a recommendation, in
which case the primary committee may report out the measure.
SEC. 27. Ahenever two (0 committees submit conflicting reports, both reports shall be
referred to the -ommittee on "ules.
SEC. 28. "eports on privileged sub&ects shall be submitted to the Senate while in session,
either by the -hairman of the committee or a duly authorized member thereof, and the same may
not be withdrawn on petition of the -hairman or the committee itself without the consent of the
Senate.
SEC. 39. If the reports submitted are unfavorable, they shall be transmitted to the $rchives
of the Senate together with the matters to which they refer, unless five (6 Senators shall in the
following session move for their inclusion in the -alendar for >rdinary ?usiness, in which case
the President shall so order.
SEC. 31. Should any committee fail to render a report on any bill or resolution referred to it
within thirty (1; session days after such reference, if the Senate is in regular session, or within
ten ((; session days in case of special sessions, five (6 Senators may move, in writing, for its
inclusion in the -alendar for >rdinary ?usiness and the President shall so order it.
SEC. 32. Ahen a report is returned to a committee or is transmitted to another, unless it is
returned for purposes of conducting further public hearings on new matters arising after the
report, all previous proceedings in connection therewith shall be deemed to be void and that
matter in :uestion shall revert to its original status.
SEC. 33. The following committees are authorized to submit at any time their reports on any
matter within their &urisdiction' The -ommittee on "ules, the -ommittee on 7inance, and the
-ommittee on $ccounts.
SEC. 33. The motion for the study of any report submitted by the -ommittee on "ules shall
always be in order, and while the report is pending consideration no motion may be entertained
unless it is a motion to ad&ourn, if this latter motion is disapproved, no dilatory motion on the
aforesaid report shall be admitted.
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RULE #II
REPORTS OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEES
SEC. 34. In the event that the Senate does not agree with the Couse of "epresentatives on
the provision of any bill or &oint resolution, the differences shall be settled by a conference
committee of both Couses which shall meet within ten ((; days after their composition.
The President shall designate the members of the Senate panel in the conference committee
with the approval of the Senate.
2ach -onference -ommittee "eport shall contain a detailed and sufficiently e3plicit
statement of the changes in, or amendments to the sub&ect measure, and shall be signed by a
ma&ority of the members of each Couse panel, voting separately.
$ comparative presentation of the conflicting Couse and Senate provisions and a reconciled
version thereof with the e3planatory statement of the conference committee shall be attached to
the report.
The consideration of such report shall not be in order unless the report has been filed with the
Secretary of the Senate and copies thereof have been distributed to the .embers.
The presentation of reports of conference committees shall always be in order when
available, e3cept when the @ournal is being read or a :uestion of order or a motion to ad&ourn is
pending, or while the Senate is voting or ascertaining the presence of a :uorum, and when
received, the :uestion of proceeding to the consideration of the report shall be determined
without debate.
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RULE #III
SPECIAL ORDERS
SEC. 35. ?y means of a motion approved by a ma&ority of the Senators present, the -hair
shall assign for consideration, as a Special >rder, any matter which has been reported out by the
corresponding committee or which does not re:uire such report.
SEC. 36. Ahenever two or more matters shall have been designated for consideration as a
Special >rder, they shall be considered successively, unless a ma&ority of the Senators present
decide otherwise.
SEC. 37. If, after a matter has been assigned for consideration, the Senate is unable to
consider it on the appointed day, said matter shall retain its corresponding place in the -alendar
for Special >rders, unless a ma&ority of the Senators present decide otherwise.
SEC. 38. .atters which the Senate has already begun to discuss and whose consideration has
been suspended without a prior motion e3pressly re:uesting their postponement shall occupy a
place of preference in the -alendar for Special >rders of the ne3t session, in the order in which
they were called.
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RULE #IV
SENATE SESSIONS
SEC. 39. The Senate shall meet in session at three o<clock in the afternoon on week days,
e3cept when the Senate decides otherwise. Ahen the session is ongoing, no committee meeting
or hearing under "ule %I shall be held.
SEC. 31. The President may postpone, after consultation with the .a&ority /eader and the
.inority /eader, respectively, the holding of the session on a day to day ad&ournment due to
force ma&eure or the occurrence of an emergency which may prevent the convening of the
Senate.
SEC. 32. The Senate shall convene once every year for its regular session. It shall continue
to be in session for such number of days as it may determine in its legislative calendar, sub&ect
only to such limitations as may be provided by the -onstitution' Provided, That the President of
the Senate, in consultation with the .a&ority and .inority /eaders and upon agreement with the
Speaker of the Couse of "epresentatives, may reconvene the Senate in session without need of a
call by the President of the Philippines, at any time during a recess as provided in the legislative
calendar, to consider urgent legislative matters, or in case of a vacancy in the >ffice of the #ice
President, to confirm the nominee of the President for the position in accordance with Section +,
$rticle #II of the -onstitution, or to determine the inability of the President of the Philippines to
discharge the powers and duties of his office upon the written declaration of a ma&ority of all the
.embers of the -abinet in accordance with Section ((, $rticle #II of the -onstitution, or
convene in &oint session during any voluntary or compulsory recess to'
(a -anvass the votes for President and #ice President not later than thirty (1; days after the
day of the elections in accordance with Section 4, $rticle #II of the -onstitution,
(b Determine the validity of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the
privilege of the writ of habeas corpus by the President of the Philippines, or to revoke such
proclamation or suspension, or e3tend the same if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and
public safety re:uires it.
SEC. 33. >n the first day of each week, the Senate shall observe a one)minute prayer or
invocation to be led by a .ember of the Senate, followed by the singing of the *ational $nthem.
>n every session day thereafter, the prayer or invocation, as the case may be, shall immediately
follow the opening of the session.
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RULE #V
%UORUM
SEC. 33. 23cept during the election of officers as provided in Section 0, a ma&ority of the
Senators shall constitute a :uorum and, in its absence, a smaller number may ad&ourn from day to
day and may compel the attendance of absent .embers in the manner provided in Section ++
hereof.
SEC. 34. Should the :uestion of lack of :uorum be raised, the -hair, without debate, shall
immediately proceed to a verification thereof by causing the reading of the roll of the Senators
and announcing forthwith the result.
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RULE #VI
CALENDARS
SEC. 35. The Senate shall have three calendars, to wit'
$ E-alendar for >rdinary ?usinessE, in which shall be included the bills reported out by the
committees in the order in which they were received by the >ffice of the Secretary, the bills
whose consideration has been agreed upon by the Senate without setting the dates on which to
effect it, and, also the bills whose consideration has been postponed indefinitely,
$ E-alendar for Special >rdersE, in which the bills and resolutions shall be arranged
successively and chronologically, according to the order in which they were assigned for
consideration, and
$ E-alendar for Third "eadingE, in which shall be included all bills and &oint resolutions
approved on second reading.
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RULE #VII
MESSAGES
SEC. 36. .essages of the President of the Philippines and those from the Couse of
"epresentatives may be read at any time by the Senate, e3cept during voting or the reading of the
@ournal or when a point of order or a motion to ad&ourn is pending resolution.
SEC. 37. The Secretary shall duly inform the Couse of "epresentatives of the action taken
by the Senate on any bill or resolution originating in the Couse of "epresentatives or re:uest the
latter<s approval of the bills or resolutions approved by the Senate. The Secretary shall likewise
transmit either by himself or by any of his duly authorized representatives any message or
communication of the Senate.
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RULE #VIII
ORDER OF &USINESS
SEC. 38. The Secretary shall prepare for each session an >rder of ?usiness in which shall be
listed'
(a Prayer.
(b *ational $nthem (every .onday only.
(c "oll call.
(d "eading and $pproval of the @ournal of the previous session.
(e "eference of ?usiness'
(( .essages of the President of the Philippines.
(0 .essages from the Couse of "epresentatives.
(1 7irst reading and reference to committees of bills or proposed resolutions.
(4 -ommunications, petitions and memorials.
(6 -ommittee reports.
(f =nfinished business.
(g ?usiness for the day.
(h ?usiness for a certain date.
(i =nassigned business.
(& ?ills and &oint resolutions on third reading.
SEC. 49. The matters mentioned in the preceding section which have to be acted upon by the
Senate shall be referred to the proper committee, otherwise, they shall be transmitted to the
$rchives of the Senate.
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RULE #I#
'OURNAL
SEC. 41. The Senate shall keep a @ournal of its proceedings which shall contain a succinct
and accurate account of what has taken place in every session.
SEC. 42. The following shall be inserted in full in the @ournal'
(a The proclamation issued by the President of the Philippines to convene -ongress.
(b The titles of the bills and resolutions presented by any .ember of the Senate.
(c The ob&ections to the legislative measures vetoed by the President of the Philippines,
together with the ayes and nays of the Senators on each vetoed measure.
(d $ll nominal votings.
$nd in condensed form'
(a .essages of the President of the Philippines.
(b .essages from the Couse of "epresentatives.
(c Petitions.
(d -ommunications.
(e .emorials.
It shall also include a list of .embers who responded to the roll call, those who arrived at the
session hall after the roll call, and those who are on official businessBmission authorized by the
Senate President. Those who are absent shall be so recorded.
SEC. 43. The reading of the @ournal shall not be interrupted or suspended e3cept by
unanimous consent of the Senate, and no motion to amend it shall be entertained once it has been
read and approved.
SEC. 43. The reading of the @ournal may be dispensed with by unanimous consent, in which
case the @ournal shall be deemed to have been approved.
SEC. 44. If a Senator finds any error in the @ournal, the reading of which was dispensed
with, he shall, verbally in open session, call the attention of the Senate to this fact and move for
its correction not later than three (1 session days subse:uent to that in which the reading of said
@ournal was dispensed with.
SEC. 45. The @ournal of the Senate shall from time to time be printed and published under
the direction of the Secretary, and its distribution and the number of copies to be printed shall be
determined by the Senate in a resolution to that effect.
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RULE ##
RECORD OF THE SENATE
SEC. 46. The Senate shall keep and preserve a "ecord of its sessions which shall be printed
and published.
The said "ecord shall reflect in detail everything that has been said, done and read in the
sessions of the Senate, in such a manner as to e3press faithfully everything that takes place
therein.
In all cases, the messages of the President of the Philippines and those from the Couse of
"epresentatives shall be inserted in toto in the said "ecord.
SEC. 47. *otwithstanding the provisions of the preceding section, the speeches of the
Senators shall be revised in style and form prior to their publication.
To this end, the Debate "eporters Service shall transmit to their respective authors a copy of
their speeches for correction within a period of seven (! days counted from the date of receipt
thereof by such authors.
If the author of the aforementioned speeches fails to make the correction or revision within
the period stated above, it shall be understood that he delegates the said revision or correction to
the Debate "eporters Service.
Persons soliciting copies of these speeches shall be furnished only after such revision has
been accomplished.
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RULE ##I
RE%UISITES OF &ILLS
SEC. 48. 2very bill or resolution must be signed by one or more Senators.
If its author is the committee called to study it and recommendations relative thereto are
made in accordance with "ule %I, the measure should be signed by the chairman of the
committee or by the member who takes his place and should be submitted with the
corresponding report attached thereto.
SEC. 59. -onsolidated and Substitute ?ills ) $ consolidated or substitute bill made by a
committee shall have as authors every member who has signed any of the original bills or
resolutions consolidated or substituted for, in the order their names appear in the latter and
according to the date of the filing thereof. In case the -hairman or any member of the committee
desires to be an author of the consolidated or substitute bill, his name shall be added after the
name of the last author listed in accordance with the order provided herein.
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RULE ##II
FILING AND CONSIDERATION OF &ILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
SEC. 51. $ll bills and resolutions shall be filed with the >ffice of the Secretary whether the
Senate is in session or not.
SEC. 52. *o bill or &oint resolution reported out by a committee within ten ((; days prior to
the closing of the ordinary session shall be considered unless it be with the e3press consent of a
ma&ority of the Senators present. This "ule may not be suspended impliedly.
SEC. 53. Simple and concurrent resolutions shall be presented at least one (( day before
their consideration, unless a ma&ority of the Senators present decide otherwise.
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RULE ##III
READING OF &ILLS AND 'OINT RESOLUTIONS
SEC. 53. Prior to their final approval, bills and &oint resolutions shall be read at least three
times.
SEC. 54. 7or the purpose of this "ule, bills shall be considered as read'
>n 7irst "eading, when they are read for transmittal to the corresponding committee.
This provision to the contrary notwithstanding, when a committee bill is presented with a
report, the reading of the same, together with the title of the bill, shall be considered as 7irst
"eading.
>n Second "eading, when they are sponsored and submitted for the consideration of, and
amendment by, the Senate.
>n Third "eading, when after having been approved on Second "eading, they are submitted
with or without amendments for the approval of the Senate.
SEC. 55. The 7irst "eading shall be confined to its title, the Second shall consist in the
reading of the bill in the form recommended by the corresponding committee, and the Third, in
the form it will be after approval on Second "eading.
SEC. 56. *otwithstanding the preceding section, the Second and Third "eadings may be
limited only to the title of the bill or resolution, if a motion to that effect is approved by a
ma&ority of the Senators present.
SEC. 57. *o bill shall be passed by the Senate unless it has passed three (1 readings on
separate days, and printed copies thereof in its final form have been distributed to the members
before its passage, e3cept when the President of the Philippines certifies to the necessity of its
immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency pursuant to Section 08, Subsection
0, $rticle #I of the -onstitution.
$ bill or &oint resolution filed as a substitute or a consolidated version of a bill or &oint
resolution previously certified by the President pursuant to Section 08, Subsection 0, $rticle #I
of the -onstitution shall likewise be certified for it to be considered for immediate enactment by
the Senate.
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RULE ##IV
CONSIDERATION OF THE MATTERS APPEARING IN THE CALENDAR FOR SPECIAL
ORDERS
SEC. 58. $fter the opening of the session and the dispatch and assignment of the various
matters appearing in the >rder of ?usiness, the President shall declare in order, in the
arrangement in which they appear, the consideration of the matters contained in the -alendar for
Special >rders.
SEC. 69. *otwithstanding the provisions of the preceding section regarding the order of
succession, the Senate may, through a motion and with the support of a ma&ority of the Senators
present, forthwith consider any other measure.
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RULE ##V
CONSIDERATION OF, AND DE&ATES ON, &ILLS
SEC. 61. The Senate shall adopt the following procedure in the consideration of bills and
&oint resolutions'
(a Second reading of the bill.
(b Sponsorship by the committee chairman, or by any member designated by the committee.
(c If a debate ensues, turns for and against the bill shall be taken alternately' Provided,
however, That any committee member who fails to enter his ob&ection or to make of record his
dissenting vote after it shall have been included in the >rder of ?usiness and read to the Senate
in accordance with the second paragraph of Section 04 hereof, shall not be allowed to speak
against the bill during the period of general debate although he may propose and speak or vote
on amendments thereto.
(d The sponsor of the bill or author of the motion shall have the right to close the debate.
(e Aith the debate closed, the consideration of amendments, if any, shall be in order.
(f $fter the period of amendments, the voting of the bill on Second "eading.
(g ?ills shall be submitted to final vote by yeas and nays after printed copies thereof in final
form have been distributed to the .embers at least three (1 days prior to their passage, e3cept
when the President of the Philippines certifies to the necessity of their immediate enactment to
meet a public calamity or emergency, in which case the voting on Third "eading may take place
immediately after Second "eading.
SEC. 62. Simple or concurrent resolutions shall not be sub&ect to the procedure for Second
and Third "eadings prescribed in Section !(.
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RULE ##VI
MANNER OF HAVING THE FLOOR
SEC. 63. Ahenever a Senator wishes to speak, he shall rise and re:uest the President or the
Presiding >fficer to allow him to have the floor, which consent shall be necessary before he may
proceed.
If various Senators wish to have the floor, the President or Presiding >fficer shall recognize
the one who first made the re:uest.
SEC. 63. *o Senator shall interrupt another without the latter<s consent, which may not be
obtained e3cept through the President or Presiding >fficer.
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RULE ##VII
DURATION OF DE&ATES
SEC. 64. The sponsor may consume as much time as he deems necessary to e3press the
contents and purposes of the bill. Subse:uent speakers for or against a bill may consume two (0
hours each for debates on bills or other matters, provided they are not on amendments.
SEC. 65. >n amendments, not more than thirty (1; minutes may be consumed by each
speaker.
SEC. 66. The time spent in parliamentary interpellations shall be discounted from the period
allowed for debates.
SEC. 67. *otwithstanding the provisions of this "ule regarding the time that each speaker
may consume, the Senate may reduce or e3tend it with the consent of a ma&ority of the Senators
present when by reason of the nature or urgency of the bill the public interest so re:uires.
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RULE ##VIII
&ILLS WITH PREAM&LE
SEC. 68. Ahen a bill or resolution with a preamble is submitted to a vote, the body of the
measure shall first be voted on, and, afterwards, the preamble. Its author or the committee which
reported the said bill or resolution may withdraw the preamble at any time before nominal voting
thereon. Thereafter, upon motion duly made, the preamble may be placed on the table and such
act shall not affect the status of the bill itself.
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RULE ##I#
AMENDMENTS
SEC. 79. $ll bills and resolutions shall be sub&ect to amendments, but in order that the
amendments may be considered, they should be presented concretely and specifically in the
course of the debate, indicating therein the page and the line in which the amendments are
proposed to be made, and in writing if a ma&ority of the Senators present so decide.
SEC. 71. Ahenever a Senator wishes to retain in a measure some words or phrases which
have been substituted or deleted by the committee that reported it, an amendment to that effect
must be presented as if such words or phrases have never appeared on the bill.
SEC. 72. *ot more than one (( amendment to the original amendment shall be considered.
*o amendment by substitution shall be entertained unless the te3t thereof is submitted in
writing.
$ny of said amendments may be withdrawn before a vote is taken thereon.
SEC. 73. *o amendment which seeks the inclusion of a legislative provision foreign to the
sub&ect matter of a bill (rider shall be entertained.
SEC. 73. *o amendment setting aside sums of money for the payment of a claim shall be
entertained in an appropriation bill, unless it be to comply with the provisions of a certain law, or
with the terms of an agreement duly entered into by the 5overnment, and all these shall be set
forth in the proposed amendment.
SEC. 74. $ bill or resolution shall not be amended by substituting it with another which
covers a sub&ect distinct from that proposed in the original bill or resolution.
SEC. 75. $mendments to the title of a bill or resolution shall be in order after the te3t thereof
has been perfected.
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RULE ###
MANNER OF PRESENTING MOTIONS
SEC. 76. .otions other than those sub&ect of Section 9; in the preceding "ule may be
presented orally, but a ma&ority of the Senators present may re:uire that they be done in writing
and read by the Secretary before proceeding to their consideration.
SEC. 77. The sponsor of any motion or measure may withdraw or modify it before its
amendments or resolution or before a nominal vote is ordered on the same, but a motion to
reconsider duly seconded may not be withdrawn without the consent of the one who seconded
the said motion.
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RULE ###I
PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS
SEC. 78. Ahile a motion or bill or resolution is being discussed, no other motion shall be
entertained e3cept the following and in the order in which they appear below'
(a .otion to ad&ourn.
(b .otion to set the date for the resumption of the session.
(c .otion to suspend the session.
(d .otion to call an e3ecutive session.
(e .otion to lay on the table any business.
(f .otion to postpone indefinitely the consideration of any business.
(g .otion to postpone the consideration of any business to another date.
(h .otion to refer a principal motion to the corresponding committee.
(i .otion to amend.
$ll motions to ad&ourn or suspend a session or to hold e3ecutive sessions shall be resolved
without debate.
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RULE ###II
PRIVILEGED MOTIONS
SEC. 89. The following shall be considered privileged motions'
(a .otion to ad&ourn.
(b .otion to consider appropriation or revenue bills.
(c .otion to consider a bill appearing on the -alendar, which motion may not be amended.
(d .otion to postpone the consideration of a pending measure, without pre&udice to the
status of the bill or to its place in the -alendar.
(e .otion to transpose any matter appearing on the -alendar.
$ll the foregoing motions shall not be debatable, and shall have precedence in their
consideration according to the order abovementioned.
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RULE ###III
MOTION TO RECONSIDER AND ITS RE%UISITES
SEC. 81. $ny Senator who voted with the ma&ority may move for the reconsideration of a
measure on the same day it was decided by the Senate or within the ne3t two (0 session days. If
the Senate disapproves the motion, no other motion to reconsider shall be entertained unless it be
by unanimous consent.
SEC. 82. If a motion for reconsideration, approved by the Senate, refers to a measure already
with the Couse of "epresentatives, an advice shall be sent to the latter with a re:uest for the
return of the measure and to render ineffective any action taken thereon.
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RULE ###IV
UNPARLIAMENTARY ACTS AND LANGUAGE
SEC. 83. $cts and language which offend a Senator or any public institution shall be deemed
unparliamentary.
SEC. 83. *o Senator, under any circumstances, shall use offensive or improper language
against another Senator or against any public institution.
SEC. 84. Ahen a Senator, by word or deed, violates any "ule of the Senate, the President,
motu proprio or at the instance of another Senator, may call him to order. The Senator concerned
shall immediately take his seat if he happens to have the floor, and, in case the point of order
raised has been sustained by the President or Presiding >fficer, said Senator shall not continue
speaking without the consent of the Senate. The motion permitting the Senator concerned to
continue speaking shall be resolved without debate.
SEC. 85. Ahen a Senator is called to order for using unparliamentary language, any other
Senator may ask that the ob&ectionable words be read for the information and decision of the
Senate.
SEC. 86. =pon the recommendation of the -ommittee on 2thics and Privileges, the Senate
may punish any .ember for disorderly behavior and, with the concurrence of two)thirds (0B1 of
the entire membership, suspend or e3pel a .ember. $ penalty of suspension shall not e3ceed
si3ty (8; calendar days.
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RULE ###V
SUSPENSION AND AD'OURNMENT OF THE SESSION
SEC. 87. 23cept as provided in Section 4(, "ule %I#, hereof, the President of the Senate
cannot suspend or ad&ourn a session of the Senate without a previous motion or resolution to that
effect, which should be approved by a ma&ority vote of the Senators present.
SEC. 88. *otwithstanding the provision of the preceding section, the lack of :uorum shall
compel the President to ad&ourn the session, unless, by means of motion, which shall not be
sub&ect to debate, a ma&ority of the Senators present agree to its suspension and ask the President
or Presiding >fficer to order the Sergeant)at)$rms to re:uire the appearance of the absent
.embers or, if it is deemed necessary, to order their arrest so as to form the necessary :uorum.
SEC. 199. The Senate ad&ourns for a congressional recess'
(a In compliance with its legislative calendar.
(b $t the end of the regular session thirty (1; days before the ne3t regular session,
e3clusive of Saturdays, Sundays and Colidays.
(c $t the end of a special session of -ongress.
(d =pon the termination of the term of a -ongress.
"ecess includes'
(a The period of time between the ad&ournment of the regular session and the convening of
the ne3t regular session of the same -ongress.
(b The intervening period of time between the ad&ournment of a regular session, and the
convening of the special session of the same -ongress.
(c The intervening period of time between the ad&ournment of a special session, and the
convening of the ne3t regular session of the same -ongress.
(d The intervening period of time between the end of a session and its resumption on a fi3ed
date as provided in the legislative calendar other than the ad&ournment of the annual regular
session.
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RULE ###VI
CONCURRENCE IN TREATIES
SEC. 191. Ahen a treaty is received in the Senate for its concurrence, the same shall be
referred to the -ommittee on 7oreign "elations. $fter the -ommittee has reported the treaty to
the Senate, the Second "eading of the treaty shall take place and during this period it shall be
opened to general debate and to amendments. $fter the close of the debate, the treaty shall be
voted upon and once approved shall pass to its Third "eading.
$ny action taken by the Senate on the treaty shall be set forth in a resolution prepared by the
-ommittee on 7oreign "elations. This resolution shall be printed and distributed to the Senators
as a bill on Third "eading.
Three (1 days after the distribution of the resolution of the Senate with printed copies of the
treaty attached thereto, the resolution shall be submitted for nominal voting and, if two)thirds
(0B1 of all the Senators approve it, the treaty shall be deemed approved, and in the contrary case,
disapproved.
-onsideration of the treaty shall be resumed from session to session until final approval or
non)approval.
$ll proceedings on treaties shall terminate upon the e3piration of the term of the Senators
elected in the preceding elections and the same shall be taken up in the succeeding sessions of
the Senate, as if presented for the first time.
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RULE ###VII
READING AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
SEC. 192. The reading and inclusion of any document in the "ecord of the Senate as well as
in the @ournal may be ordered upon re:uest of a Senator after his brief e3planation of the ob&ect
of his re:uest, but if ob&ected to, the motion shall be submitted to a vote without debate.
SEC. 193. The reading and inclusion of documents that are not of public interest shall not be
allowed.
SEC. 193. *o written e3planation of vote, speech or any other document shall be included in
the "ecord as well as in the @ournal if the member manifesting his interest to have the same
included fails to submit such document within seven (! days from the time he made the
manifestation.
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RULE ###VIII
POINT OF ORDER
SEC. 194. $ll points of order may be raised at any time during the session and the President
shall resolve them. The decisions of the President may be appealed to the Senate upon motion of
any Senator.
The motion to lay on the table an appeal shall always be in order, and if the Senate resolves
the motion in the affirmative, the decision of the President or Presiding >fficer shall be deemed
to have been sustained.
SEC. 195. It shall be discretionary for the President to submit to the Senate for resolution
any point of order which may be raised.
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RULE ###I#
%UESTION OF PRIVILEGE
SEC. 196. Fuestions of privilege are those affecting the rights, privileges, reputation,
conduct, decorum and dignity of the Senate or of its .embers as well as the integrity of its
proceedings.
SEC. 197. Ahen there is no :uorum or when the roll is being called, no :uestion of privilege
may be raised unless it relates to the procedure of ascertaining the e3istence of said :uorum.
SEC. 198. >nly the motion to ad&ourn shall have precedence over :uestions of privilege and
privileged motions.
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RULE #L
PRIVILEGE TO SPEA( ON MATTERS OF PU&LIC INTEREST
SEC. 119. $fter the consideration of the matters contained in the -alendar for Special
>rders, a Senator may forthwith re:uest for and avail of the privilege to speak for one (( hour
on any matter of public interest.
If more than one (( Senator wish to avail of the same privilege, the Senator who first
announced his intention shall be given priority.
The period of time allowed in this section may, upon motion of the Senator on the floor, be
e3tended for such time as may be necessary for him to finish his speech unless a ma&ority of all
Senators vote against such e3tension.
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RULE #LI
VOTING
SEC. 111. #oting shall be'
(a ?y viva voce.
(b *ominal.
SEC. 112. In votings by viva voce the affirmative vote shall be taken first, and then the
negative vote.
SEC. 113. If there is any doubt as to the result, the President, on his own initiative or upon
petition of any Senator, shall proceed to the counting of the affirmative and the negative votes.
In this case, the President shall re:uest the Senators who voted in the affirmative to raise
their hands and, after taking note of their number, he shall re:uest those who voted in the
negative to do the same.
$fter counting the votes, he shall announce the final result.
SEC. 113. In nominal votings, the Secretary shall call alphabetically the names of the
Senators present and each Senator shall answer EyesE or EnoE upon being called.
Immediately thereafter, the Secretary shall inform the President about the result of the voting,
and the latter forthwith shall in turn announce it to the Senate.
SEC. 114. The voting shall always be nominal whenever it concerns'
(a ?ills or &oint resolutions.
(b ?ills or &oint resolutions vetoed by the President of the Philippines.
(c "esolutions relative to treaties.
(d $ny other matter, if one)fifth ((B6 of the Senators present re:uest it.
SEC. 115. The President shall not be obliged to vote e3cept when his vote is decisive.
SEC. 116. The vote of a Senator absent from the session at the moment he is called to vote
shall not be counted.
SEC. 117. *o Senator shall be permitted to vote on any measure after the President has
announced the result of the voting.
SEC. 118. #oting shall not be interrupted e3cept on a :uestion of :uorum.
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RULE #LII
UNANIMOUS CONSENT
SEC. 129. The unanimous consent to any action or proceeding may be given e3pressly or
impliedly.
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RULE #LIII
SUSPENSION OF THE RULES
SEC. 121. The "ules shall be suspended only when a motion presented by the -ommittee on
"ules to that effect is approved by a ma&ority of the Senators present, there being a :uorum.
SEC. 122. Ahen a motion to suspend the "ules is pending, one motion to ad&ourn may be
entertained. If the latter is lost, no similar motion shall be entertained until the vote is taken on
the motion to suspend.
If the Senate votes to suspend the "ules, it shall forthwith proceed to consider the measure.
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RULE #LIV
UNFINISHED &USINESS
SEC. 123. =nfinished business at the end of the session shall be taken up at the ne3t session
in the same status.
$ll pending matters and proceedings shall terminate upon the e3piration of one (( -ongress,
but may be taken by the succeeding -ongress as if present for the first time.
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RULE #LV
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS OF PRIVATE PERSONS OR FOREIGN STATES
SEC. 123. The petitions and memorials of private persons shall be considered by the Senate
only when clearly and duly signed by their authors. Those coming from a foreign national or
State should furthermore be transmitted through the >ffice of the President of the "epublic of the
Philippines.
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RULE #LVI
APPEARANCE OF CA&INET MEM&ERS
SEC. 124. $ny Department Secretary, -abinet .ember, the 5overnor of the ?angko Sentral
ng Pilipinas or head of a government financial institution may be summoned by the Senate,
through a resolution adopted by it, or upon his own initiative with the consent of the President of
the Philippines, appear before the Senate, for information on any matter pertaining to his
department.
The resolution adopted by the Senate shall state specifically and clearly the :uestions to be
answered and the date and hour when the Department Secretary, -abinet .ember, 5overnor of
the ?angko Sentral ng Pilipinas or head of a government financial institution shall appear and
give the information desired. *o :uestion shall contain arguments, include offensive or
unparliamentary language or e3pressions, pertain to sub)&udice matters, refer to the internal
affairs of a foreign country or contain unwarranted discourtesy to it.
Aithin three (1 days from receipt of said resolutions, the Department Secretary, -abinet
.ember, 5overnor of the ?angko Sentral ng Pilipinas or head of a government financial
institution shall appear and answer the :uestions therein, unless the Senate re:uires him to
comply therewith at a specified date and time.
Interpellations shall not be limited to written :uestions, but may cover matters related
thereto.
The appearance of a Department Secretary, -abinet .ember, the 5overnor of the ?angko
Sentral ng Pilipinas or head of a government financial institution shall be conducted in e3ecutive
session when the security of the State or the public interest so re:uires and the President of the
Philippines so states in writing.
The appearance of a Department Secretary, -abinet .ember, 5overnor of the ?angko
Sentral ng Pilipinas or head of a government financial institution shall be scheduled on Tuesdays
at five o<clock in the afternoon, unless the Senate decides otherwise.
Ahen a .ember of the -abinet desires to be heard by the Senate on any matter pertaining to
his department which is pending consideration in the Senate, a re:uest to that effect shall be sent
to the President of the Senate for his approval.
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RULE #LVII
E#ECUTIVE SESSION
SEC. 125. The e3ecutive sessions of the Senate shall be held always behind closed doors. In
such sessions, only the Secretary, the Sergeant)at)$rms, andBor such other persons as may be
authorized by the Senate may be admitted to the session hall.
SEC. 126. 23ecutive sessions shall be held whenever a Senator so re:uests it and his petition
has been duly seconded, or when the security of the State or public interest so re:uires.
Thereupon, the President shall order that the public be e3cluded from the gallery and the doors of
the session hall be closed.
The Senator who presented the motion shall then e3plain the reasons which he had for
submitting the same.
The minutes of the e3ecutive sessions shall be recorded in a separate book.
SEC. 127. The President as well as the Senators and the officials and employees of the
Senate shall absolutely refrain from divulging any of the confidential matters taken up by the
Senate, and all proceedings which might have taken place in the Senate in connection with the
said matters shall be likewise considered as strictly confidential until the Senate, by two)thirds
(0B1 vote of all its .embers, decides to lift the ban of secrecy.
SEC. 128. $ny Senator who violates the provisions contained in the preceding section may,
by a two)thirds (0B1 vote of all the Senators, be e3pelled from the Senate, and if the violator is
an official or employee of the Senate, he shall be dismissed.
SEC. 139. Ahenever upon the re:uest of the Senate or of any of its committees, the
President of the Philippines or a Department Secretary sends to the Senate or to any of its
committees certain confidential documents in connection with any matter pending therein, all
proceedings relative to said documents shall be held behind closed doors and shall not be
published without the consent of a ma&ority of the Senators present in the session.
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RULE #LVIII
DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SENATE
SEC. 131. $ll documents filed with the Senate after consideration shall be kept and
preserved in the $rchives of the Senate. *o memorial, petition or any other document
confidential in nature may be copied, withdrawn or taken away from the $rchives or the >ffice
of the Secretary or of any committee without the permission of the Secretary.
SEC. 132. Ahen the documents sought to be copied or withdrawn are in the opinion of the
Senate not confidential in nature, the Secretary may issue certified copies thereof.
SEC. 133. /egislative committee secretaries of the Senate Secretariat shall deliver to the
$rchives within seven (! days after final ad&ournment of the -ongress, all papers and
documents in their possession which are related to legislative measures referred to their
respective committees.
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RULE #LI#
PROCEDURE ON VETOED &ILLS
SEC. 133. If the President of the Philippines vetoes a bill or any part thereof, he shall return
the bill with his ob&ections to the Couse where it originated. If the Senate is the Couse of origin,
it shall enter the ob&ections at large in the @ournal, and proceed to reconsider the bill or item or
items vetoed.
During reconsideration, the Senate shall proceed to vote by yeas and nays on the bill or
vetoed item or items thereof. The yeas and nays with the names of the .embers voting shall be
recorded in the @ournal. If the bill or vetoed item or items thereof is passed by a vote of two)
thirds (0B1 of all the Senators, it shall be sent together with the ob&ections to the Couse of
"epresentatives, which shall likewise reconsider the same.
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RULE L
SUPPLEMENTARY RULES
SEC. 134. If there is no "ule applicable to a specific case, the precedents of the /egislative
Department of the Philippines shall be resorted to, and as supplement to these, the "ules
contained in @efferson<s .anual, "iddick<s Precedents and Practices, and Cind<s Precedents.
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RULE LI
AMENDMENTS TO, OR REVISION OF, THE RULES
SEC. 135. $t the start of each session in which the Senators elected in the preceding
elections shall begin their term of office, the President may endorse the "ules to the appropriate
committee for amendment or revision.
The "ules may also be amended by means of a motion which should be presented at least
one (( day before its consideration, and the vote of the ma&ority of the Senators present in the
session shall be re:uired for its approval.
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RULE LII
DATE OF TA(ING EFFECT
SEC. 136. These "ules shall take effect on the date of their adoption and shall remain in
force until they are amended or repealed.
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TENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES. July 24, 1995
RULES OF THE HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

RULE I
THE MEMBERS
SECTION 1. Membership. The membership of the House shall include Representatives elected from the different
legislative districts of the Philippines, and those elected or selected through a party-list system of registered national,
regional and sectoral parties as provided by law.
Se. 2. First Meeting and Organization. The Members of the House of Representatives, shall on the day and time
fixed by law, meet at the place designated for the holding of the sessions of the House and proceed to its
organiation in the manner prescribed in !ection "# $a% of Rule &'.
Se. !. Oath of Affirmation of Members. The Members shall ta(e their oath or affirmation, collectively or
individually before the !pea(er, in open session.
RULE II
THE SPEA"ERS
Se. 4. Election. The !pea(er shall be elected by a ma)ority vote of all the Members of the House at the
commencement of each *ongress and whenever there is a vacancy in said office. &n such election, the !ecretary
+eneral shall call the roll and record the viva voce vote of each Member.
Se. 5. Duties and Powers. The duties and powers of the !pea(er shall be,
a. To preside over the sessions of the House-
b. To preserve order and decorum during the sessions and, in case of disturbance or
disorderly conduct in the session hall, ta(e such measures as he may deem advisable or
as the House may direct-
c. To decide all .uestions of order sub)ect to appeal by any Member, who may explain his
appeal in not more than five minutes- but the appeal shall not be debatable nor sub)ect to
the three-minute rule !ection "/0 hereof-
$d% To sign all acts, resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants and subpoena issued by or upon of the House-
$e% To exercise supervision over all *ommittees-
a. To appoint the personnel of the House with authority to delegate this power-
b. To suspend, dismiss, or otherwise discipline House personnel in accordance with *ivil
!ervice Rules and Regulations, Provided, That the suspension or dismissal of the
!ecretary +eneral or the !ergeant-at-1rms shall re.uire the concurrence of the ma)ority of
all the Members-
c. To prepare and submit the annual budget of the House with the assistance of the
*ommittee on 1ccounts- and
d. To consolidate or split vacant positions carrying salaries and wages which may be
increased or reduced in the process and2or create new positions, Provided, that the total
amount or amounts involved shall not increase the total amount appropriated for the
salaries and wages of the personnel of the House.
Se. #. Temporar Presiding Officer. The !pea(er, after informing the 3eputy !pea(ers, may designate a Member
to perform the duties of the *hair, but such designation shall not exceed one day each time without the consent of the
House.
Se. $. !ight to "ote. The !pea(er shall not be compelled to vote except in case of a tie.
Se. %. Administrative #ead. The !pea(er shall be the administrative head of the House and shall exercise such
administrative functions and powers as are attached to his office.
RULE III
THE &EPUT' SPEA"ERS
Se. 9. Election. There shall be three 3eputy !pea(ers who shall be elected in the same manner as the !pea(er.
Se. 1(. Duties and Powers. The duties and powers of the 3eputy !pea(ers shall be,
a. To assume the duties and powers of the !pea(er, including his prerogatives under !ection
0 hereof, when he is absent or incapacitated. &n the event of the !pea(er4s death or
resignation, one of the 3eputy !pea(ers as they may choose by a ma)ority vote among
themselves shall li(ewise assume the duties and powers of the !pea(er until a new
!pea(er is elected and .ualified-
b. To preside over the session when, even if present, the !pea(er does not preside, sub)ect
to !ection 0 hereof-
c. To exercise such powers and functions as the !pea(er may delegate- and
d. To appoint personnel of the House when so authoried by the !pea(er.
RULE IV
THE SECRETAR' GENERAL
Se. 11. Election. 1fter the !pea(er and the 3eputy !pea(ers are elected and .ualified, the House shall proceed
to elect the !ecretary +eneral by a ma)ority vote of all the Members.
He shall hold office until his successor shall have been elected and .ualified. 1ny vacancy in the office shall be filled
in the same manner, except when such vacancy occurs during the recess, in which case the !pea(er may designate
an acting !ecretary +eneral.
&n case of the absence or incapacity of the !ecretary +eneral, the 3eputy !ecretary +eneral for 5perations shall
assume the powers and duties of the !ecretary +eneral, unless the !pea(er designates an 1cting !ecretary
+eneral.
Se. 12. Duties and Powers. The duties and powers of the !ecretary +eneral shall be,
$a% 1t the commencement of each *ongress, to call the Members to order, to call alphabetical order the roll
of the Members by provinces, cities and municipalities comprising districts by themselves and, pending the
election of the !pea(er, to preserve order and decorum and decide all .uestions of order, sub)ect to appeal
to the House by any Member-
$b% To carry out or enforce orders and decisions of the House when such duty devolves upon him-
$c% To (eep the 6ournal of each session, which shall comprise a clear and succinct account of the business
transacted and action ta(en by the House- Provided, That )ournals, of executive sessions shall be (ept in a
separate boo( and maintained confidential-
$d% To call the roll of the Members and read bills, resolutions, messages, communications, memorials,
petitions and other documents which should be reported by him to the House or the reading of which is
re.uired by the House or ordered by the !pea(er-
$e% To note all .uestions of order together with the decisions thereon and to print the same at the close of
each session for the use of the Members as an appendix to the Record of such sessions-
$f% To complete within six months after the close of the session the printing and distribution to the Members
of the Record of the House for said session and of the 1cts and Resolutions passed and adopted during the
same, all property indexed, each Member being entitled to one copy thereof-
$g% To retain in the congressional library for the use of the Members and 5fficers of the House sufficient
copies of boo(s and printed documents-
$h% To cause to be printed and delivered to each Member or mailed to his address at the commencement of
every regular session a list of the reports which each head of 3epartment is re.uired to submit to the House,
referring to 1ct, Resolution or page of the 6ournal in which it may be contained and placing under the name
of each officer the list of reports re.uired of him-
$i% To send at the close of each session, or soon thereafter, printed copies of the Record of the House to the
President of the Philippines, the *abinet Members and such other persons or entities as the House may
authorie-
$)% To refer to the proper committee or committees, as the !pea(er may direct, such bills and other
documents as may be presented or endorsed to the House-
$(% To attest and affix the seal of the House to all writs, warrants and subpoenae issued by or upon order of
the House or !pea(er-
$l% To certify and affix the seal of the House to all measures, orders and resolutions approved by the House-
$m% To submit to the !pea(er all contracts and agreements for his approval-
$n% To be the custodian of the property and records of the House and all others government property within
its premises. 1t the beginning and end of each session, to ma(e an inventory of all properties, records of the
House, and all other government properties within its premises- and
$o% To perform other duties inherent in his office although not specified in these Rules.
Se. 1!. $upervisor Power. 7 !ub)ect to the supervision and control of the !pea(er, the !ecretary +eneral shall be
immediate chief of the personnel of the House and shall be responsible for the faithful and proper performance of
their official duties.
RULE V
THE SERGEANT)AT)ARMS
Se. 14. Election. 7 The !ergeant-at-1rms shall be elected by a ma)ority vote of all the Members at the
commencement of each *ongress.
He shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and .ualified. 1ny vacancy in the office shall be
filled in the same manner, except when such vacancy occurs during the recess, in which case the !pea(er may
designate an 1cting !ergeant-at-1rms.
&n the absence or incapacity of the !ergeant-at-1rms, the 1ssistant !ergeant-at-1rms shall assume the powers and
duties of the !ergeant-at-1rms, unless the !pea(er designates as 1cting !ergeant-at-1rms.
Se. 15. Duties and Powers. 7 The duties and powers of the !ergeant-at-1rms shall be,
$a% To be personally present in all sessions of the House unless excused by the !pea(er or the Presiding
5fficer and to be present, personally or thorough his subordinates, in all meetings of the *ommittees-
$b% To strictly enforce the Rules relating to admission to the !ession Hall, the galleries, corridors, and
premises of the House building-
$c% To be responsible for the faithful and proper behavior and performance of employees under him-
$d% To execute the orders of the House and serve all processes issued by authority thereof or the !pea(er-
$e% To be responsible for the security and maintenance of order during the session of the House under the
direction of the !pea(er or the Presiding 5fficer, during the meeting of any of the *ommittees or
!ubcommittees under the direction of the *hairman thereof- and in the antechambers, corridors and offices
of the House, whether in session or not, under the direction of the !pea(er and, during the period between
the final ad)ournment of one *ongress and the organiation of the next, under the direction of the !ecretary
+eneral-
$f% To be responsible for the personal safety of the Members while in the House premises or, as the !pea(er
may direct, in any other place-
$g% To be responsible for the security of the properties of the House- and
$h% To (eep the Mace under his custody.
Se. 1#. The Mace. 7 The Mace shall be the symbol of authority of the House and shall be displayed at the
!pea(er4s rostrum when the House is in session.
The Mace shall serve as the warrant for the !ergeant-at-1rms in enforcing order in the House.
RULE VI
THE ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL
AN&
THE COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS
Se. 1$. %omposition. 7 The House representation to the 8lectoral Tribunal and the *ommission of 1ppointments
shall be constituted in accordance with !ections "9 and ":, 1rticle '& of the *onstitutions within thirty days after the
election of the !pea(er.
Se. 1%. Election. The motion or resolution to elect the members of the 8lectoral Tribunal and *ommission on
1ppointments shall not be sub)ect to a division of the House.
Se. 19. !ules and !egulations. 7 The House recognies the power of the 8lectoral Tribunal and the *ommission of
1ppointments to adopt their own rules and regulations.
Se. 2(. "acanc. 1ny vacancy in the Tribunal or *ommission shall be filled by the House in accordance with
!ections "9 and ": hereof. &n case a vacancy occurs in the Tribunal during the recess of the *ongress, the !pea(er
may fill it temporarily with a member belonging to the same party as the former incumbent upon nomination of the
Ma)ority ;eader or the Minority ;eader, as the case may be.
RULE VII
THE COMMITTEES
Se. 21. $tanding %ommittees. 7 The House shall have the following standing committees organied, except for the
*ommittee on Rules, on the basis of proportional representation of the Ma)ority and the Minority, the membership and
general )urisdiction of which shall be as hereafter stated,
$"% 1ccounts, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the perpetration, submission and approval of the
internal budget of the House, and supervision over the accounting and financial operations of the House.
$#% 1grarian Reform, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to agrarian reform, landed estates, resettlement
and support services to the beneficiaries concerned.
$<% 1griculture and =ood, >" members. 7 1ll matters relating to agriculture- agribusiness, agricultural
economics and research- soil survey and conservation- irrigation- agricultural education- fertilier and
pesticides- extension services- animal industry, including livestoc( .uarantine- farm credit and farm security-
crop and livestoc( insurance and guarantee schemes- and organiation and supervision of agriculture
cooperatives.
$?% 1ppropriations, 0@ members. 7 1ll matters relating to funds for the expenditures of the Aational
+overnment and for the payment of public indebtedness, and the classification of positions and
determination of salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits of government personnel.
$>% Ban(s and =inancial &ntermediaries, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to ban(ing and currency
generally- government-owned or-controlled financial institutions- other financial institutions- private
corporations- and insurance, securities and securities exchange.
$0% *ivil !ervice and Professional Regulation, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the operation and rules
of the *ivil !ervice and the status of officers and employees of the +overnment, including their welfare and
benefits such as retirement, pension and gratuity- and the regulation of professions and professionals.
$9% *ivil, Political and Human Rights, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the enhancement or protection
of human rights of all persons in the Philippines and of =ilipino abroad- assistance to victims of human rights
violations and their families- and the prevention of or punishment for violations thereof.
$:% *onstitutional 1mendments, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to amendments of the *onstitution.
$@% 8cology, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to ecosystem management including pollution control.
$"/% 8conomic 1ffairs, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to economic or socio-economic studies, planning,
programming and development, including social security programs.
$""% 8ducation and *ulture, >" members. 7 1ll matters relating to education and culture- schools, colleges
and universities- libraries and museums- non-formal and community adult education- the national language-
and the preservation, enrichment and dynamic evolution of =ilipino national culture.
$"#% 8nergy, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the exploration, development, exploitation, utiliation or
conservation of energy- and public utilities concerned with power generation, transmission, distribution and
supply.
$"<% 8thics, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the duties, conduct, rights, privileges, dignity, integrity and
reputation of the House and its Members, individually or collectively.
$"?% =oreign 1ffairs, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the relations of the Philippines with other
countries- diplomatic and consular services- the Cnited Aations and its agencies- and international cultural,
health, labor and other organiations.
$">% +ames and 1musements, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to all forms and places of recreation,
games and amusements.
$"0% +ood +overnment, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to, including investigations of, malfeasance,
misfeasance and nonfeasance in office by officers and employees of the +overnment, its political
subdivisions and instrumentalities- and investigations of any matter of public interest, on its own initiative or
brought to its attention by any Member of the House.
$"9% +overnment 8nterprises and Privatiation, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the creation,
organiation, operation and reorganiation of government-owned or controlled corporations other than ban(s
and financial institutions, including +overnment !ervice &nsurance !ystem, the !ocial !ervice !ystem and
similar institutions.
$":% +overnment Reorganiation, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the reorganiation of the
+overnment or any of its branches and instrumentalities, excluding government-owned or controlled
corporations, and the creation or abolition of any government agency or change of its principal functions.
$"@% Health, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to public health and hygiene- and medical, hospital and
.uarantine facilities and services.
$#/% Housing and Crban 3evelopment, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to housing and all other forms of
human shelter or habitation, wherever located- and urban land reform and development, particularly water
supply, electrification and oning and the upliftment of the condition of the urban poor.
$#"% &nterparliamentary Relations and 3iplomacy, "> members. 7 1ll matters relating to interparliamentary
relations, lin(ages with international parliamentary organiations such as but not limited to 1sian
&nterparliamentary 5rganiation $1&P5%, 1sian-Pacific Parliamentarians4 Cnion $1PPC%, 1sia Pacific
Parliamentary =orum $1PP=% and the &nter-parliamentary Cnion $&PC%- establishment of interparliamentary
friendship societies- foreign travel and attendance in international conference including the formulation of
guidelines2standard operating procedures in connection with such foreign travel- and visits of parliamentary
delegations as well as other foreign dignitaries.
$##% 6ustice, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to rules of procedure governing in.uiries in aid of
legislation- administration of )ustice- civil courts, penitentiaries and reform schools- practice of law and
integration of the Bar- legal aid- adult probation- impeachment proceedings against constitutional officers
and other officers removable by impeachment- registration of land titles- and immigration, deportation and
naturaliation.
$#<% ;abor and 8mployment, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to labor, employment and manpower
development- maintenance of industrial peace and promotion of employer-employee cooperation- labor
education, standards and statistics- organiation of the labor mar(et, including promotion, development,
recruitment, training and placement of manpower, here and abroad.
$#?% ;ocal +overnment, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to provinces, cities, municipalities, sanggunians
and barangays, including those connected exclusively with their revenues or expenditures-
$#>% ;egislative =ranchises, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the grant, amendment, extension or
revocation of franchises-
$#0% Muslim 1ffairs, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to Muslim affairs and the development of
predominantly Muslim areas.
$#9% Aational *ultural *ommunities, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to national cultural communities and
the development of predominantly cultural community areas.
$#:% Aational 3efense, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to national defense and security- 1rmed =orces
of the Philippines citiens army- selective services- forts and arsenals- military bases- reservations and
yards- and coast and geodetic surveys.
$#@% Aatural Resources, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to natural resources, except energy, and their
exploitation, management, exploration and utiliation- lands of the public domain- mines and minerals-
forests- and par(s.
$</% People4s Participation, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the role, rights and responsibilities of
people4s organiations and establishment of ade.uate mechanisms for consultation with and participation of
the people in the affairs of +overnment.
$<"% Population and =amily Relations, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to population growth, family
planning, census and statistics- family relations, rights and responsibilities- .uality of family life, care of the
elderly and street children.
$<#% Public 5rder and !ecurity, ?" members. 7 1ll matters relating to civil defense, police and police forces
and agencies and private security agencies.
$<<% Public &nformation, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to public information and all means of mass
communication and the rights, privileges and responsibilities of those engaged therein.
$<?% Public Dor(s and Highways, >" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the planning, construction,
maintenance, improvement and repairs of public buildings, highways, bridges, roads, par(s and shrine, and
monuments and other public edifices of historic interest- and drainage, flood control and protection- water
utilities and utiliation of waters of the public domain.
$<>% Revision of ;aws, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating in general to revision and2or codification of laws.
$<0% Rules, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the Rules of the House- 5rder of Business and *alendar
of Business and the creation of committees and their )urisdiction. The Ma)ority ;eader shall be the chairman
and Minority ;eader a member of this *ommittee.
$<9% Rural 3evelopment, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the development of the rural areas,
upliftment of the condition of their inhabitants, and delivery of basic services, except housing.
$<:% !cience and Technology, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to the development and advancement of
science and technology- and scientific and technological research.
$<@% !ocial !ervices, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to social problems which effect the stability and
ad)ustment of the individual and of the strengthen and develop individual and community life.
$?/% !uffrage and 8lectoral Reforms, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to suffrage and the conduct of
elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda and recalls.
$?"% Tourism, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to tourism and the tourist industry.
$?#% Trade and &ndustry, >" members. 7 1ll matters relating to domestic and foreign trade- patents, trade
names and trade mar(s- standards, weights and measures- design- .uality control consumer protection-
control of prices of commodities- handicrafts and cottage industries- and the development, coordination,
regulation and diversification of industry and investments.
$?<% Transportation and *ommunications, >" members. 7 1ll matters relating to land, sea and air
transportation and all public utilities connected therewith- ports- and postal, telegraph, radio, telephone and
other communication services.
$??% 'eterans 1ffairs, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to war veterans, veterans of military campaigns,
military retirees, their surviving spouses and other beneficiaries.
$?>% Days and Means, >" members. 7 1ll matters relating to fiscal, monetary and financial affairs of the
Aational +overnment, including tariff, taxation, revenue, borrowing, credit and bonded indebtedness.
$?0% Domen, <" members. 7 1ll matters relating to women4s rights, protection and welfare, employment
and wor(ing conditions and their potential and role in nation building.
$?9% Eouth and !ports 3evelopment, #" members. 7 1ll matters relating to youth development and
promotion of moral, physical, intellectual and social well-being- and sports development in general.
Dhenever a measure covers sub)ect matters falling within the )urisdiction of more than one *ommittee, the measure
shall be referred to the *ommittee within whose )urisdiction the principal sub)ect matters falls, Provided, however, that
measures entailing appropriations of funds or embodying tax or revenue proposals shall be referred, respectively, to
the *ommittee on 1ppropriations or the *ommittee on Days and Means for the appropriation or tax or revenue
aspect, and Provided, further, that the *ommittee which ac.uires original )urisdiction on any measure shall be mainly
responsible for submitting a report to the House incorporating therein the appropriate recommendations of the
*ommittee on 1ppropriations or the *ommittee on Days and Means, as the case may be.
Se. 22. Members& Officers& Election. 8ach standing committee shall have a chairman and at least two vice-
chairmen. The Member elected whose name appears first on the committee list shall be the chairman and the
members whose names appear second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh shall be the vice-chairmen, as the case
may be. &n a committee of twenty-one members, there shall be two vice-chairmen. &n a committee of thirty-one, there
shall be three vice-chairmen. &n a committee of forty-one, there shall be four vice-chairmen. &n a committee of fifty-
one members, there shall be six vice-chairmen. &n a committee of sixty-one members, there shall be seven vice-
chairmen.
8very Member is entitled to be a member of as many standing committees as provided for in the next section hereof,
Provided that, as far as practicable, each region shall be represented in every *ommittee.
The !pea(er, 3eputy !pea(ers and *hairman, 'ice-*hairmen and ran(ing minority member of the *ommittee on
Rules or a member deputied by any of them shall have voice and vote in all other *ommittees.
1ny Member who is the author of a bill proposed resolution referred to a *ommittee or, if there be several authors,
the first two authors whose names appear first in the bill or resolution, or their duly designated co-authors, shall be
considered as member or members of the *ommittee insofar as the consideration of said bill or resolution and others
of a li(e or similar nature is concerned, but shall have no vote in the *ommittee.
Se. 2!. 'imitations. 7 Ao Member of the House shall be chairman of more than one standing committee.
1 member of the *ommission on 1ppointments or 8lectoral Tribunal shall not be chairman of a standing committee.
Ao member of the committee shall vote in any matter regarding which he has a substantial pecuniary interest,
whether direct or indirect.
Se. 24. $pecial %ommittees. 7 The House shall have the following special committees, organied on the basis of
proportional representation of the ma)ority and the minority. The chairman, vice-chairman and members thereof shall
be elected in the same manner as a standing committee. Their general mandate shall be as hereinafter stated,
$"% $pecial %ommittee on Emploment (eneration& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and review of
the unemployment situation in the country, including but not limited to, the factors and influences causing it- to
recommend to the House such programs and policies geared toward the creation of employment opportunities
sufficient to meet the employment re.uirements of the country.
$#% $pecial %ommittee on Povert Alleviation& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and review of the
poverty incidence in the country and to recommend to the House such programs and policy proposals intended to
protect and enhance the right of the poor to a decent life.
$<% $pecial %ommittee of Effective 'aw Enforcement& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study on matters
relating to criminality in the country particularly organied crime, including oversight and review of policies and
programs on law enforcement and to recommend to the House such legislation or action as the committee deems
necessary with respect to the Philippine Aational Police and other agencies tas(ed with crime prevention.
$?% $pecial %ommittee on e*port Promotion& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and review of the
programs and policies regarding or affecting exports and to recommend to the House by way of legislation, ways and
means of accelerating expert growth, reducing the trade deficit and thereafter, maintaining a favorable trade balance.
$>% $pecial %ommittee on !eforestation& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and review of the
policies and programs concerning reforestation including the effects of forest denudation such as soil erosion,
siltation and drought and to recommend to the House such legislation or action as it deems appropriate to ensure a
successful massive reforestation program.
$0% $pecial %ommittee on $avings Mobilization& )) members. 7 To pursue and oversee the implementation of the
president4s "> 7 point savings mobiliation plan- to conduct a continuing comprehensive study and review of the
policies and programs on domestic savings and to recommend to the House such measures as it deems necessary
to generate two hundred billion-peso savings in two years.
$9% $pecial %ommittee on the (eneration of a Million $mall Enterprises& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive
study and review of the policies and programs concerning small enterprises and to recommend to the House such
legislation or action as it deems necessary to promote and encourage the viability of small enterprises.
$:% $pecial %ommittee on the Peace Process and +ntegration& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study
and review of the policies and programs on amnesty and the integration into the mainstream of society of all rebels,
insurgents and other persons who have or may have committed political crimes- and to recommend to the House by
way of legislation ways of attaining lasting peace and a successful unification process.
$@% $pecial %ommittee on the Fisheries +ndustr& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and review of all
policies and programs on concerning fisheries and a.uatic resources- to recommend to the House such legislation or
action as it may deem necessary to develop the fisheries industry and promote the maximum economic utiliation of
fishery resources.
$"/% $pecial %ommittee on the ,orthwest 'uzon (rowth -uadrangle& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive
study of all policies and programs concerning Aorthwest ;uon +rowth Fuadrangle and to recommend to the House
such legislation or actions as it may deem necessary for the promotion of greater economic cooperation with
proximate economies.
$""% $pecial %ommittee on the East Asean (rowth Area& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and
review of the policies, economic and social policies affecting the countries of the participating units in the 8ast 1sean
+rowth 1rea and to recommend to the House such legislation or action as it may deem necessary to foster and
facilities trade and investment among the participating units.
$"#% $pecial %ommittee on %ooperatives Development& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and
review of all policies and programs concerning cooperatives, except agricultural cooperatives- and to recommend to
the House such legislation or other action to foster the creation and growth of cooperatives in the country.
$"<% $pecial %ommittee on Food $ecurit& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and review of the
programs, and policies relating to food production and distribution, including the factors affecting the supply of basic
food commodities such as rice, corn, fish, poultry and hogs- and to recommend to the House legislation or other
actions necessary for fast-trac(ing the development and moderniation of the agricultural sector and attaining food
security, self reliance, and sustained growth in basic food commodities.
$"?% $pecial %ommittee on Mt. Pinatubo& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and review of the
programs, and policies relating to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Mt. Pinatubo 7 devasted areas and the
inhabitants thereof- and to recommend to the House legislation or other action as it deems necessary to facilitate their
recovery, growth and development.
$">% $pecial %ommittee on Overseas %ontract /or0ers& )) members. 7 To conduct a comprehensive study and
review of the policies and programs affecting overseas contract wor(ers- and to recommend to the House legislation
or other action the *ommittee deems necessary to promote their full protection, employment and welfare.
The special committees herein organied may secure from any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality
of the government such assistance as may be needed, including technical information, preparation and production of
reports and the submission of recommendation or plans as the committee may re.uire.
The House may organie other special committees on the basis of proportional representation of the ma)ority and the
minority, and shall determine their membership and general )urisdiction. Their officers and members shall be elected
in the same manner as a standing committee upon recommendation of the *ommittee on Rules.
The special committees herein organied and such other special committees that may hereinafter be organied shall
cease to exist upon the completion of their ob)ectives.
Se. 25. "acanc. 7 1 vacancy in any *ommittee shall be filled in the same manner as provided for in !ections #"
and #? hereof.
Se. 2#. Place and Time of Meetings. 7 *ommittee meetings, conferences or hearings shall be held in the House
building or whenever necessary in any government office during periods of session or during recess. They may,
however, be held in any other place when so authoried by the !pea(er.
Ao committee except the *ommittee on Rules may meet while the House is sitting in plenary session without special
permission from the *ommittee on Rules.
Two days before a scheduled committee meeting, written notice thereof shall be given to all the Members specifying
therein the sub)ect matter and the names of the resources persons invited to said meeting.
Se. 2$. !egular and $pecial Meeting. 7 The committees shall determine the fre.uency of their regular meetings.
!pecial meetings may be called by their chairman or by one-third members, due notice, including the agenda of the
meeting, being served upon each Member. 5ne-fifth of all the members of a committee or subcommittee shall
constitute a 1uorum. However, a committee or subcommittee may authorier a smaller number to conduct a public
hearing on bills or resolutions pending before it.
Se. 2%. $ubcommittees. 7 8ach committee may crate as many subcommittees as it deem necessary.
Se. 29. %ommittee !eports and Orders. 7 *ommittee reports or orders on any measures shall be considered in
formal meetings.
Dhen a committee submits a report thereof shall be presumed to have concurred in the report and shall be precluded
from opposing the same unless he enters his ob)ection thereto or files with the !ecretary +eneral of the House his
dissenting vote in writing within two days after receipt of the report or unless, upon satisfactory explanation made by
the Member concerned, the !pea(er should allow otherwise.
Se. !(. !eports of the %ommittee on !ules. 7 The *ommittee on Rules may at any time report on any matter within
its )urisdiction. The consideration of its reports shall be always in order.
Se. !1. 2ne*plained Absence. 7 Cnexplained absence in three successive committee meetings may operate to
relin.uish membership therein.
RULE VIII
THE SESSION
Se. !2. %ommencement of Dail $essions. 7 Cnless the House provides otherwise, the daily session shall
commence at four o4cloc( in the afternoon on Mondays through Thursdays and at the ten o4cloc( in the morning on
=ridays.
Se. !!. %all to Order. 7 The !pea(er shall open the session by calling the House to order.
5n every session day, the Aational 1nthem shall be sang followed by one-minute silent prayer or meditation or, at the
discretion of the !pea(er, an invocation by any Member designated by him.
Se. !4. Attendance in $essions. 7 8very Member shall be present in all the sessions of the House unless
necessarily prevented from doing so by sic(ness or other unavoidable circumstances duly reported to the House,
through the !ecretary +eneral.
Se. !5. "oting. 7 8very Member present in the session shall vote on every .uestion put unless he inhibits himself
on account of personal or pecuniary interest therein.
Se. !#. $essions Open to the Public3 E*ceptions. 7 The session shall be open to the public except when the
security of the !tate or petitions or motions affecting the dignity of the House or a Member are being considered, in
any of which events the House may hold an executive session.
Se. !$. E*ecutive $essions. 7 Dhen the House decides to hold an executive session, the !pea(er shall direct the
galleries and hallways to be cleared and doors closed.
Se. !%. Persons Allowed in E*ecutive $essions. 7 5nly the !ecretary +eneral, the !ergeant-at-1rms and other
persons specifically authoried by the House shall be admitted to the executive sessions.
They shall preserve the secrecy of whatever may be read or said at the session.
Se. !9. %onfidential Documents. 7 Dhen, by re.uest of the House, confidential documents or papers mar(ed as
such are transmitted to it by the President or a head of department and re.uire consideration in an executive session,
their existence or contents shall not be revealed without leave of the House.
Se. 4(. $uspension and Ad4ournment of $ession. 7 !essions shall not be ad)ourned except by direction of the
House, but the !pea(er may, in his discretion, declare at any time a suspension or recess of short interval.
Se. 41. Emergenc $ession. 7 The House, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hour following the
proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ ofhabeas corpus or the occurrence of any
national emergency, convene at ten o4cloc( in the morning of the day immediately following such proclamation,
suspension or emergency, without need of a call.
Se. 42. %onvening of the #ouse During a !ecess. 7 The !pea(er, in consultation with the Ma)ority and the Minority
;eaders and the !enate counterpart, may convene the House in session at any time during a recess or between
sessions to consider urgent legislative matters.
Se. 4!. Opening and Ad4ournment Entered in 5ournal. 7 The exact hour of opening and ad)ournment of a session
shall be entered in the )ournal.
RULE I*
ROLL CALL AN& QUORUM
Se. 44. !oll %all. 7 Cpon every roll call, the names of Members shall be called alphabetically by surnames, except
when two or more have the same surnames, in which case the full name shall be called. &f there are two Members
with the same name and surname, their legislative districts shall be added.
Se. 45. -uorum. 7 1 ma)ority of all the Members of the House shall constitute a 1uorum to do business.
Se. 4#. Absence of -uorum. 7 &n the absence of a 1uorum after the roll call, the Member present may compel the
attendance of absent Members.
&n all calls of the House, the doors shall be closed. 8xcept those whose attendance are excused pursuant to !ection
<? of these Rules, the absentees, by order of a ma)ority of those present, shall be sent for and arrested wherever
they may be found and conducted to the session. The order shall be executed by the !ergeant-at-1rms and by such
officers as the !pea(er may designate. 1fter the presence of the Members arrested is secured at the session hall, the
!pea(er shall determine the condition for their discharge. Members who voluntarily appear shall be admitted
immediately to the session hall. They shall report to the !ecretary +eneral to have their presence recorded.
Se. 4$. Automatic %all of the #ouse. 7 Dhen the result of the voting on a .uestion shows the absence of
a 1uorum and a Member calls the attention of the House to this fact, there shall be a call of the House to compel
attendance of absent Members who shall be given the opportunity to vote unless it ad)ourns.
&f those voting on the .uestion and those who are present but abstain from the voting shall together ma(e a ma)ority
of the House, the !pea(er shall declare that a 1uorum is constituted, and the pending .uestions shall be resolved as
the ma)ority of those voting shall decide. Thereupon, further procedure under the call shall be dispensed with.
Se. 4%. Motion to Ad4ourn "acates %all. 7 1t any time after the roll call is completed, a motion to ad)ourn shall be in
order and, if approved by a ma)ority of those present, all proceedings under the preceding section shall be vacated.
RULE *
OR&ER OF BUSINESS
Se. 49. Order of 6usiness. 7 The daily order of business shall be,
$a% Roll call-
$b% 1pproval of the )ournal of the previous session-
$c% =irst reading and referral to committees of bills proposed, resolutions, messages, communications,
petitions and memorials-
$d% *ommittee reports-
$e% Cnfinished business-
$f% Business for the day-
$g% Business for a certain date-
$h% Cnassigned business- and
$i% Bills for third reading.
Se. 5(. Approval of 5ournal. 7 The )ournal shall be submitted to the House for approval. The )ournal for the last day
of a regular or special session shall be approved in the manner determined by the House.
RULE *I
CALEN&AR
Se. 51. Parts of %alendar. 7 The calendar shall consist of,
$a% 2nfinished 6usiness 7 This is business being considered by the House at the time of its last ad)ournment. &ts
consideration shall be resumed until it is disposed of. Thereafter, the !pea(er shall call for the business for the day.
$b% 6usiness for the Da. 7 These are bills, resolutions and other measures set on the calendar for the day by the
*ommittee on Rules. They shall be considered in the order in which they are listed in the calendar and after the
business mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
$c% 6usiness for a %ertain Date. 7 This is business set for consideration on a certain date. &t shall be considered on
the date set and on subse.uent days in chronological order until disposed of unless the continuation of the
consideration of any business therein included is set for another day.
Ao business shall be set for consideration unless it has been placed in this calendar two days in advance.
$d% 6usiness for Thursda and Frida. 7 Bills of local application shall be included in the calendar every Thursday
and =riday. !uch bills shall be arranged and considered in the order set by the *ommittee on Rules. Ao such bill shall
be considered unless it has been placed in this calendar two days in advance. 1ny unfinished business in this
calendar shall be placed in the calendar for the following Thursday and =riday.
$e% 2nassigned 6usiness. 7 These are bills, resolutions and other measures reported by the committee but not
calendared by the *ommittee on Rules. 1ny business included in this calendar may be set for consideration on
motion of a Member with the unanimous approval of the House.
$f% 6ills on Third !eading. 7 Bill shall be submitted to final vote by yeas and nays after printed copies thereof in final
form have been distributed to the Members at least three days prior to their passage, except when the President
certifies to the necessity of their immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency.
Se. 52. Distribution of %alendar. 7 The calendar shall be distributed each day of session unless there is no addition
to the one previously distributed, in which case a note to this effect on the order of business shall be sufficient.
RULE *II
PRIVILEGE HOUR
Se. 5!. Privilege #our. 7 5n Mondays and, at the discretion of the !pea(er and the unanimous consent of the
House, on any other day, and after the reading of the order of business, there shall be a privilege hour. 1ny Member
may spea( on any matter of general interest. &f more than one Member desires to ma(e use of this privilege, the first
to apply, either in writing in the office of the !ecretary +eneral or verbally in open session, shall be given precedence.
&f, after a Member has finished, sufficient time is left of the hour, the second Member who has as(ed to spea( may do
so, and so on successively until the full hour is consumed. &f re.uests to ma(e use of the one-hour privilege remain
recorded at the expiration of the hour, they shall be recorded in the same order for the next Monday.
RULE *III
+UESTION HOUR
APPEARANCE OF HEA&S OF &EPARTMENT
Se. 54. Appearance 2pon +nitiative of Department #ead. 7 Dhen a department head desires to appear before the
House on any matter pertaining to his department, he may, with the consent of the President of the Philippines, notify
the House through the !pea(er who, with the concurrence of the House, may set the date and hour for his
appearance.
Se. 55. Appearance 2pon !e1uest of #ouse. 7 1 department head may be re.uested to appear before the House
and be heard by it on any matter pertaining to his department. The re.uest shall state specifically the .uestions to be
answered and the date and hour for his appearance. His appearance shall be scheduled at least three days from
receipt of the re.uest.
The order of business shall specify the sub)ect of the .uestions, the department head re.uested to answer them and
the proponent thereof.
Se. 5#. Da of Appearance. 7 The appearance of department heads shall be scheduled on any Thursday and on
such other day as may be determined by the !pea(er or a ma)ority of the Members of the House after the reading of
the order of business. The department head may answer the .uestions directed to him either orally or in writing.
&nterpellations of Members shall not be limited to the written .uestions but may cover matters related thereto. !uch
interpellations shall conform with the standards for .uestions herein provided. The .uestions and answers shall be
recorded in the )ournal.
Se. 5$. Appearance in E*ecutive $ession. 7 The appearance of a department head shall be conducted in an
executive session when the security of the !tate or the public interest re.uires and the President so states in writing.
Se. 5%. -uestion. 7 Dritten .uestions shall be submitted to the !pea(er in triplicate. Fuestions of an urgent nature
or those relating to current issues shall be given priority.
Fuestion may be withdrawn by the proponent, Provided, that no answer has yet been made. The withdrawal shall be
in writing, addressed to the !pea(er, and submitted before the day of the scheduled appearance.
Se. 59. $tandards $et for -uestion. 7 Fuestions shall be based on facts, as(ed to obtain information or press for
action.
Ao .uestion shall,
$a% *ontain arguments-
$b% !uggest its own answer-
$c% &nclude offensive or unparliamentary language or expression-
$d% Pertain to sub)udice matters-
$e% !ee( an opinion on a .uestion of law-
$f% &nclude names or statements other than what is strictly necessary to ma(e the .uestion
intelligible-
$g% Relate to matters falling directly under the responsibility of another department head-
$h% Refer to an item of the agenda of the current month4s session or to proceedings of a
committee not yet reported, or suggest amendments to bills before the House of
Representatives- or
$i% Repeat a .uestion previously as(ed and answered.
Se. #(. Form of -uestions and Answer. 7 &n form, .uestions and answers of excessive length are not in order.
Se. #1. /ritten -uestions ,ot %onforming /ith $tandards. 7 &f the .uestions does not conform with the foregoing
standards, the !pea(er may return the .uestion to the Member concerned and the latter may modify or restate the
.uestion to ma(e it conform with the said standards or appeal the action of the !pea(er to the House. !aid appeal
shall be resolved li(e all other appeals from the ruling of the !pea(er.
Se. #2. %lassification and Disposition of -uestions. 7 Fuestions may be classified according to the order of priority
laid down in !ection >: hereof and grouped together by sub)ect matter by the !pea(er who shall decide the order in
which the said .uestion are to be dealt with.
3uring the appearance of the department head, the !pea(er shall direct the !ecretary +eneral to read the .uestions
according to their precedence, the name of the proponent and the department head to whom the .uestion is directed.
Se. #!. $tandards $et for Answers. 7 1nswers shall immediately relate to the .uestions propounded, without need
for discussing general policies or programs. They shall be concise and responsive, and shall avoid argumentation.
They shall conform with the standards set for .uestions, where these are applicable.
Se. #4. -uestions of 'ocal $ignificance. 7 The !pea(er may direct that a .uestion of local significance be
answered in writing only.
Se. #5. -uestions 'eft 2nanswered. 7 Fuestions proposed for a .uestion hour which are left unanswered may be
answered in writing or, where necessary, during a day set aside by the !pea(er before the next .uestion hour or at
any succeeding .uestion hour.
Fuestions not ta(en due to the absence of both the proponent and the department head shall be reset to any other
day.
Se. ##. +nterpellations and %omments of Proponents of Original -uestions. 7 1t the end of each .uestion hour, it
shall be in order for any proponent of the original .uestions to interpellate the department head concerned and ma(e
comments, observations and statements relative to the answers given and to be interpellated by the department head
concerned. &mmediately thereafter, the department head concerned may ma(e a reply. The interpellations and
comments of proponent and the reply of the department head shall be sub)ect to the ten-minute rule.
Ao interpellation from other Members shall be allowed on the reply of the department head. 5nly the proponent of the
.uestion shall have the right to debate thereon with the department head.
The order of interpellation and comments shall be in the same order the original .uestions were as(ed.
Se. #$. -uestions #our $ervice 2nit. 7 1 Fuestion Hour !ervice Cnit $FH!C% shall be organied in the 5ffice of
the !pea(er which shall facilitate, coordinate and expedite all matters relative to the Fuestion Hour as provided under
Rule G&&& of these Rules.
RULE *IV
BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, MESSAGES, MEMORIALS
AN& PETITIONS
Se. #%. 6ills and !esolutions. 7 Bills and proposed resolutions shall be signed by their author or authors and filed
with the !ecretary +eneral, who shall assign to each a number. 1 bill or )oint resolution shall embrace only one
sub)ect which shall be expressed in the title thereof.
Se. #9. First !eading. 7 The !ecretary +eneral shall report all bills and proposed resolutions to the House for first
reading within three session days from receipt thereof.
3uring the first reading, the principal author may proposed the inclusion of additional authors by submitting a list of
such authors to the !ecretary +eneral.
Se. $(. !eferral to %ommittee. 7 The first reading shall only be by number, title and author, followed by referral to
the appropriate committees.
Se. $1. %onsolidation or $ubstitution. 7 1 consolidated or substitute bill or resolution by a committee shall have as
authors the first two authors of the original bills or resolutions in the order in which their names appear in the latter
and accordingly to their dates of filing. The rest of the authors shall be thereafter be enumerated in the same order.
Se. $2. Period to !eport. 7 The committee shall submit a report on the bill or resolution within fifty session days
after it is referred to it, except as herein otherwise provided.
Se. $!. 6ills Favorabl !eported. 7 &f the committee report on a bill or resolution is favorable, the bill or resolution
shall be forwarded to the *ommittee on Rules.
Se. $4. 6ills 2nfavorabl !eported. 7 &f the committee report on a bill or resolution is unfavorable, the bill or
resolution shall be laid on the table. The author or authors shall be notified within ten days of the action, stating the
reason or reasons thereof.
Se. $5. Discharge of %ommittee on 6ills ,ot !eported. 7 1 Member may present to the !ecretary +eneral a motion
in writing to discharge a committee from the consideration of a bill and resolution which has been referred to it over
fifty session days prior thereto and has not been returned to the House. The motion may be placed in the custody
!ecretary +eneral who shall arrange some convenient place for the signature of Members. 1 signature may be
withdrawn by a Member in writing at any time before the motion is entered in the )ournal. Dhen one-fifth of all the
Members sign the motion, it shall included in the calendar and reported at the next following session of the House.
Se. $#. %onsideration of Motion to Discharge. 7 1fter the privilege hour on any Monday, except during the last
fifteen days of any session, any Member who has signed a motion to discharge may demand the consideration
thereof. 1fter not more than thirty minutes of debate, the House shall proceed to vote on the motion.
&f the motion adopted refers to a bill or resolution, a motion shall be in order to proceed to the immediate
consideration of such bill or resolution- and if such motion prevails, the bill or resolution shall be considered
immediately.
1fter a motion to discharge is lost, it shall not be in order to entertain during the same session year any other motion
to discharge the same committee or any other committee from the consideration of the same bill or any other bill of
substantially the same sub)ect matter. 1fter the House acts on the motion to discharge, all other motions to discharge
dealing on bills or resolutions of similar sub)ect matter which are pending in the calendar of business shall be stric(en
therefrom and shall not be acted upon during the remainder of the same session year.
Se. $$. 2rgent 6ills and !esolutions. 7 5n motion by the *ommittee on Rules, the House may declare urgent a bill
or )oint resolution and consider it in accordance with a timetable.
The timetable shall be prepared by the *ommittee on Rules fixing the date when the bill or resolution must be
reported by the *ommittee concerned, the number of days or hours to be allotted to the consideration of the bill on
second reading, and the date and hour debate must be concluded and final vote ta(en.
Se. $%. $econd !eading and Debate. 7 5n second reading of a bill or resolution, it shall be read in full with the
amendments proposed by the committee, if any, unless copies thereof are distributed and such reading is dispensed
with. Thereafter, the bill shall be sub)ect to debate and pertinent motions.
Se. $9. Motion to %lose Debate. 7 &n the discussion of any measure, a motion to close debate shall be in order
after three speeches for and two against, or after only one speech for and none entered against.
3uring the last fifteen days before ad)ournment, motion to close debate shall be in order after two speeches for and
one against, or after only one speech for and none entered against.
Se. %(. %loture. 7 Dhen several Members register or signify their intention to spea( on the under consideration and
when the matter is sufficiently and thoroughly discussed by the Members spea(ing, the !pea(er may motu proprio or
upon motion of a Member, order that a Member having the floor desist from spea(ing further so that other Members
may not be deprived of their opportunity to spea(.
Se. %1. Amendments. 7 1fter the close of debate, the House shall proceed to the consideration of committee
amendments sub)ect to the five-minute rule. 1 Member who desires to spea( against an amendment shall also have
five minutes.
The five-minute rule shall apply, li(ewise, in the consideration of an amendment to an amendment, or of an
amendment by substitution.
Se. %2. Approval of 6ill on $econd !eading. 7 1fter the amendments are acted upon, the bill shall be voted on
second reading.
Se. %!. Third !eading. 7 1 bill approved on second reading shall be included in the calendar of bills for third
reading.
Ao bill or )oint resolution shall become a law unless it passes three readings on separate days, and printed copies
thereof in its final form are distributed to the Members three days before its passage, except when the President
certified to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency. 5n the third reading of a
bill or resolution, no amendment thereto shall be allowed. The vote thereon shall be ta(en immediately, and the yeas
and the nays entered in the )ournal.
Se. %4. Transmittal to $enate. 7 The !ecretary +eneral, without need of an express order, shall transmit to the
!enate for its concurrence all the bills and )oint or concurrent resolutions approved by the House or the amendments
of the House to the bills or resolutions of the !enate, as the case may be. &f the measures approved without
amendment are bills or resolutions of the !enate, or if amendments of the !enate to bills of the House are accepted,
he shall forthwith notify the !enate of the action ta(en.
Se. %5. 6ills from $enate. 7 The bills, resolutions and communications of the !enate shall be referred to the
corresponding committee in the same manner as bills presented by Members of the House.
Bills of the House with the amendments of the !enate, as well as !enate bills which are substantially the same as the
House bills previously approved, may be disposed of immediately as pending matters. The !enate bills which are
substantially the same as the House bills previously reported by a House committee may be disposed of as a
measure entered in the record of matters already reported.
Se. %#. %onference %ommittee. 7 &n the event that the House does not agree with the !enate on the amendment
to any bill or )oint resolution, the differences may be settled by conference committees of both *hambers.
Se. %$. %onference %ommittee !eports. 7 The consideration of conference committee reports shall always be in
order, except when the )ournal is being read, while the roll is being called or the House is dividing on any .uestion.
The reports shall be signed by the conferees on the last page. 8ach of the pages of such reports shall be signed by
the *hairman. 8ach report shall contain a detailed, sufficiently explicit statement of the changes in or amendments to
the sub)ect measure.
The consideration of such report shall not be in order unless copies thereof are distributed to the Members, Provided,
That in the last fifteen days of each session period it shall be deemed sufficient that three copies of the report, signed
as above provided, are deposited in the office of the !ecretary +eneral.
Se. %%. Action b the President. 7 8very bill passed by *ongress shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to
the President. &f he approves the same, he shall sign it- otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same with his
ob)ections to the House. The President shall communicate his veto of any bill to the House within thirty days after
receipt thereof- otherwise, it shall become a law as if he had signed it.
Se. %9. Procedure on "etoed 6ills. 7 &f the President vetoes a bill or any part thereof, the House shall record the
ob)ections of the President in the )ournal and shall proceed to consider the bill or item or items vetoed.
3uring reconsideration, the House shall proceed to vote by yeas and nays on the bill or the vetoed item or items
thereof. The eas and nas with the names of the Members voting shall be recorded in the )ournal. &f the bill or vetoed
items passed by a vote of two-thirds of all Members of each House, such bill or item shall become law.
Se. 9(. Procedure for !esolution. 7 Resolutions shall be sub)ect to the same procedure as bills regarding
introduction, reference to the appropriate committee and consideration, Provided, That the *ommittee on Rules, may,
for reasons of urgency, calendar for immediate consideration any resolution except a )oint resolution.
Se. 91. Messages. 7 Messages from the President of the Philippines shall be read in full before the House, and
those in which any recommendations are made shall be referred to the proper committees.
Se. 92. Memorial and Petitions. 7 *ommunications from heads of departments, memorials and petitions shall be
reported to the House and, if necessary, referred to the proper committees.
RULE *V
PROPOSALS TO AMEN& THE CONSTITUTION
Se. 9!. Form of Proposals. 7 Proposals to amend the *onstitution shall be by resolution which may be filed at any
time by any Member.
Se. 94. Procedure for Adoption of !esolution. 7 The adoption of resolutions proposing amendments to the
*onstitution shall follow the procedure for the enactment of bills.
Se. 95. %onstitutional %onvention. 7 The *ongress may, by vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a
constitutional convention or, by a ma)ority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the .uestion of calling such
a convention.
RULE *VI
&ECORUM AN& &EBATE
Se. 9#. Manner of Addressing %hair. 7 Dhen a Member desires to spea(, he shall rise and respectfully address the
*hair HMr. !pea(er.H
Se. 9$. !ecognition of Member. 7 Dhen two or more Members rise at the same time, the !pea(er shall recognie
the Member who is to spea( first.
Se. 9%. Time 'imit. 7 Ao Member shall spea( more than one hour in debate on any .uestion nor more than once
on any .uestion without leave of the House.
Se. 99. $ponsor to Open and %lose Debate. 7 The Member reporting a measure may open and close the debate. &f
the debate extends beyond one day without the debate being closed, he shall be entitled to an additional thirty
minutes to close.
Se. 1((. Decorum. 7 The Member who has the floor shall confine himself to the .uestion under debate, avoiding
personalities in all cases. He shall refrain from indecorous words or acts. The *hair may motu proprio, or as the
House may direct, order such unparliamentary statements, remar(s or words stric(en off the record.
&f a Member is called to order by another for words spo(en in debate, the latter shall indicate the words excepted to.
The !ecretary +eneral shall note and read aloud said words. However, the Member called to order shall not be held
to answer nor be sub)ect to censure by the House if further debate or other business intervenes.
Se. 1(1. %onduct During $essions. 7 3uring the session, the Members shall be in proper attire and
observe decorum, Provided, that during Monday sessions women members shall be in traditional filipina dress.
Ao member shall be near the !ecretary +eneral4s des( during the roll call or the counting of votes.
Ao Member shall pass between the *hair and another Member who has the floor.
Dhile the !pea(er is addressing the House or putting .uestion, no Member shall wal( out of or cross the !ession
Hall.
Se. 1(2. $mo0ing Prohibited. 7 !mo(ing is prohibited within the session hall.
RULE *VII
VOTING
Se. 1(!. Manner of "oting. 7 The !pea(er shall rise to put a .uestion, saying H1s many as are in favor of $as the
.uestion may be% say 1yeH and after the affirmative vote is counted, H1s many as are opposed, say Aay.H
&f he doubts the outcome or a division is called for, the House shall divide. Those in favor shall first rise and then
those against.
&f he still doubts or a count by tellers is demanded, he shall name one from each side of the .uestion to count the
Members in the affirmative and the negative. 1fter the count reported, the !pea(er shall rise and announce the result.
1n abstention shall not be counted as a vote. Cnless otherwise provided by the *onstitution or by these Rules, a
ma)ority of those voting, a 1uorum being present, shall decide the issue.
Se. 1(4. ,ominal "oting. 7 The yeas and nays on any .uestion shall, at the re.uest of one-fifth of the Members
present, be entered in the )ournal.
Se. 1(5. $econd %all on ,ominal "oting. 7 1fter the Members have voted yeas and nays in nominal voting, the
!ecretary +eneral shall call in alphabetical order the names of those who did not vote so that they may vote. 1fter the
second call, no member shall be allowed to vote.
Se. 1(#. E*planation of "ote. 7 1 Member may explain his vote in not more than three minutes.
Se. 1($. ,o +nterruption During voting3 E*ception. 7 The voting shall not be interrupted except on a .uestion
of 1uorum.
Se. 1(%. Tie "ote. 7 &n case of a tie, the !pea(er shall vote. 1 tie on an appeal from the ruling of the *hair sustains
the decision of the *hair.
RULE *VIII
RECONSI&ERATION
Se. 1(9. /ho Ma "ote3 Procedure3 E*ceptions. 7 Dhen a bill, report or motion is adopted or lost, a Member who
voted with the ma)ority may move for its reconsideration on the same of succeeding sessions day. The motion shall
ta(e precedence over all other .uestions, except a motion to ad)ourn, a .uestion of privilege, and a point of order.
Se. 11(. 'imitations. 7 Ao bill, resolution, memorial or petition recommitted to a committee or ordered to be printed
shall be brought bac( to the House on a motion to reconsider.
RULE *I*
MOTIONS AN& THEIR PRECE&ENCE
Se. 111. !ecording of Motion. 7 8very motion shall be entered in the )ournal with the name of the Member ma(ing
it unless it is withdrawn on the same day.
Se. 112. !eading and /ithdrawal of Motions. 7 The !pea(er shall state the motion or, if in writing, shall cause it to
be read by the !ecretary +eneral before being debated. 1 motion may be withdrawn any time before its approval.
Se. 11!. Precedence of Motions. 7 Dhen any matter is under debate, no motion shall be entertained except to
ad)ourn, raise a .uestion of privilege, declare a recess, lay on the table or postpone to a day certain $which motions
shall be decided without debate%, or to refer, amend or postpone indefinitely $which motions shall be decided sub)ect
to the five-minute rule%. !aid motions shall have precedence in the foregoing order. 1fter a motion to postpone to any
day certain, refer or postpone indefinitely is lost, it shall nor again be allowed on the same day.
Se. 114. Amendments. 7 Dhen any matter is under consideration, a motion to amend and a further motion to
amend the amendatory motion shall be in order.
&t shall also be in order to move for amendment by substitution, but said motion shall not be voted upon until the text
of the original matter is perfected.
1ny of said amendments may be withdrawn before a vote is had thereon.
Se. 115. !ider Prohibited. 7 Ao motion or proposition on a sub)ect matter different from that under consideration
shall be allowed under the guise of amendment.
Se. 11#. One Motion for One $ub4ect Matter. 7 Ao motion shall cover more than one sub)ect matter.
Se. 11$. Motion to $tri0e and +nsert. 7 1 motion to stri(e and insert is indivisible. The loss of a pure motion to stri(e
shall not preclude an amendment or a motion to stri(e and insert.
Se. 11%. Amendment of Title. 7 1mendments to the title of a bill or resolution shall be in order only after the text
thereof has been perfected. 1mendments to the title shall be decided without debate.
Se. 119. "ote on Paper Ob4ected To. 7 1 motion to read a paper other than that which the House is called to vote
upon shall be voted without debate.
Se. 12(. Point of Order3 Precedence. 7 1 motion to read any part of the rules is e.uivalent to a point of order and
ta(es precedence over any motion other than to ad)ourn.
RULE **
+UESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE
Se. 121. Definition. 7 Fuestions of privilege are those affecting the duties, conduct, rights, privileges, dignity,
integrity or reputation of the House or of its Members, collectively or individually.
Se. 122. Precedence. 7 !ub)ect to the ten-minute rule, .uestions of privilege shall have precedence over all other
.uestions, except a motion to ad)ourn and a point of order.
RULE **I
PRIVILEGE& +UESTIONS
Se. 12!. Definition and Precedence. 7 1 privileged motion pertains to a sub)ect matter which, under the Rules,
ta(es precedence over others.
The order of precedence of privileged motions is determined in each case by the Rules.
RULE **II
SUSPENSION OF THE RULES
Se. 124. /ho %an Move. 7 5nly the *ommittee on Rules can move for the suspension of the Rules.
Se. 125. "ote !e1uired. 7 Ao rule shall be suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of the Members present
constituting a 1uorum.
Se. 12#. +nterruption of Motion. 7 Dhen a motion to suspend the rules is pending, one motion to ad)ourn may be
entertained. &f the latter is lost, no similar motion shall be entertained until the vote is ta(en on the motion to suspend.
Se. 12$. Debate3 Effect of $uspension. 7 1 motion to suspend the Rules for the passage of a measure may be
debated for one hour, which shall be divided e.ually between in those in favor and those against.
&f the House votes to suspend the Rules, it shall forthwith proceed to consider the measure. 1 two-thirds vote of the
Members present constituting a 1uorum shall be necessary for the passage of said measure.
RULE **III
&ISCIPLINE
Se. 12%. Discipline of Members. 7 Cpon the recommendation of the *ommittee on 8thics, the House may punish
its Members for disorderly behavior and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all Members, suspend or expel
Members. 1 penalty of suspension shall not exceed sixty days.
RULE **IV
UNFINISHE& BUSINESS
Se. 129. !esumption of 2nfinished 6usiness. 7 The unfinished business at the end of a session shall be resumed
at the commencement of the next session as if no ad)ournment has ta(en place.
1ll pending matters and proceedings shall terminate upon the expiration of the term of *ongress and the records
pertaining thereto delivered to the archives within fifteen days after such expiration.
RULE **V
PAPERS
Se. 1!(. Deliver of Papers to Archives. 7 1ll papers and records relating to the completed business of the House
shall be delivered to, (ept by and preserved in the archives.
Se. 1!1. Dut of $ecretaries of %ommittees. 7 !ecretaries of committees of their e.uivalent personnel shall, within
seven days after the enactment of bills or )oint resolutions, and fifteen days after final ad)ournment of *ongress,
deliver to the archives all bills, resolutions, petitions and other papers referred to their respective committees together
with the records of proceedings, reports of investigations conducted, and all evidence ta(en by such committees.
&f the secretary of a committee fails or neglects to comply with this Rule, the !ecretary +eneral shall, within seven
days thereafter, ta(e into custody all such papers. 3isciplinary may be ta(en against the erring employee.
Se. 1!2. !ecords and 6oo0s Open to Public. 7 The records and boo(s of accounts of the House shall be preserved
and be open to the public in accordance with law, and such boo(s shall be available for audit by the *ommission on
1udit.
RULE **VI
SESSION HALL
Se. 1!!. 2se of $ession #all. 7 The session hall shall be used only for sessions, caucuses, and meetings of
Members, except when the House directs otherwise.
Se. 1!4. $pace reserved for Members. 7 The space set aside in the session hall for Members and the House
personnel needed therein while the House is in session shall be reserved exclusively for them. The !ergeant-at-1rms
shall not permit any other person to enter or stay within the said space. =ifteen minutes before the session, the
!ergeant-at-1rms shall clear said space of all other persons, and it shall be so (ept until recess or ad)ournment.
This section shall not be suspended, except with respect to a consultant or a technical assistant needed by the
reporting committee or by the movant or a motion under consideration.
RULE **VII
SEATS AN& ROOMS
Se. 1!5. Assignment of $eats and !ooms& b 'ot. 7 8xcept those assigned to the 3eputy !pea(ers, the Ma)ority
;eader and his assistants, and the Minority ;eader and his assistants, seats in the session hall and rooms in the
House building shall be assigned by lot among the Members.
RULE **VIII
OFFICIAL SEAL
Se. 1!$. !ulings as Precedents. 7 The House shall adopt its own official seal.
RULE **I*
RULINGS AS PRECE&ENTS
Se. 1!$. !ulings as Precedents. 7 Rulings on .uestions raised by Members shall form part of the parliamentary
practice of the House.
RULE ***
AMEN&MENTS
Se. 1!%. Amendments. 7 1ny portion of these Rules, except as provided for by the *onstitution, may be amended
by a ma)ority vote of all the Members of the House.
RULE ***I
SUPPLETOR' PROVISIONS
Se. 1!9. $uppletor Provisions. 7 The parliamentary practices of the Philippine 1ssembly, the House of
Representatives, the !enate of the Philippines and the Batasang Pambansa shall be suppletory to these Rules.
RULE ***II
EFFECTIVIT'
Se. 14(. Effectivit. 7 These Rules shall ta(e effect on the date of their adoption.
1dopted, 6uly #?, "@@>.
The ;awphil Pro)ect - 1rellano ;aw =oundation