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The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law FoundationTENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES July 24, 1995

RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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 includeRepresentatives 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.

Sec. 2. First Meeting and Organization. The Members of the House ofRepresentatives, 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 organization in themanner prescribed in Section 12 (a) of Rule IV.

Sec. 3. Oath of Affirmation of Members. The Members shall take their oath oraffirmation, collectively or individually before the Speaker, in open session.

RULE II

THE SPEAKERS

Sec. 4. Election. The Speaker shall be elected by a majority vote of all the Membersof the House at the commencement of each Congress and whenever there is a vacancy

in said office. In such election, the Secretary General shall call the roll and record theviva voce vote of each Member.

Sec. 5. Duties and Powers. The duties and powers of the Speaker 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, take such measures as he may deem advisableor as the House may direct;

c. To decide all questions of order subject to appeal by any Member, who mayexplain his appeal in not more than five minutes; but the appeal shall not be debatable

nor subject to the three-minute rule Section 106 hereof;

(d) To sign all acts, resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants and subpoena issued by or upon ofthe House;

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(e) To exercise supervision over all Committees;

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

Civil Service Rules and Regulations: Provided, That the suspension or dismissal of theSecretary General or the Sergeant-at-Arms shall require the concurrence of the majority

of all the Members;c. To prepare and submit the annual budget of the House with the assistance of theCommittee on Accounts; and

d. To consolidate or split vacant positions carrying salaries and wages which maybe increased or reduced in the process and/or create new positions: Provided, that the

total amount or amounts involved shall not increase the total amount appropriated for thesalaries and wages of the personnel of the House.

Sec. 6. Temporary Presiding Officer. The Speaker, after informing the DeputySpeakers, may designate a Member to perform the duties of the Chair, but such

designation shall not exceed one day each time without the consent of the House.

Sec. 7. Right to Vote. The Speaker shall not be compelled to vote except in case of atie.

Sec. 8.Administrative Head. The Speaker shall be the administrative head of theHouse and shall exercise such administrative functions and powers as are attached to

his office.

RULE III

THE DEPUTY SPEAKERS

Sec. 9. Election. There shall be three Deputy Speakers who shall be elected in thesame manner as the Speaker.

Sec. 10. Duties and Powers. The duties and powers of the Deputy Speakers shallbe:

a. To assume the duties and powers of the Speaker, including his prerogativesunder Section 6 hereof, when he is absent or incapacitated. In the event of the

Speaker's death or resignation, one of the Deputy Speakers as they may chooseby a majority vote among themselves shall likewise assume the duties and

powers of the Speaker until a new Speaker is elected and qualified;b. To preside over the session when, even if present, the Speaker does not preside,

subject to Section 6 hereof;c. To exercise such powers and functions as the Speaker may delegate; and

d. To appoint personnel of the House when so authorized by the Speaker.

RULE IV

THE SECRETARY GENERAL

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Sec. 11. Election. After the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers are elected andqualified, the House shall proceed to elect the Secretary General by a majority vote of

all the Members.

He shall hold office until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. Any

vacancy in the office shall be filled in the same manner, except when such vacancyoccurs during the recess, in which case the Speaker may designate an acting SecretaryGeneral.

In case of the absence or incapacity of the Secretary General, the Deputy SecretaryGeneral for Operations shall assume the powers and duties of the Secretary General,

unless the Speaker designates an Acting Secretary General.

Sec. 12. Duties and Powers. The duties and powers of the Secretary General shallbe:

(a) At the commencement of each Congress, to call the Members to order, to call alphabeticalorder the roll of the Members by provinces, cities and municipalities comprising districts by

themselves and, pending the election of the Speaker, to preserve order and decorum and decideall questions of order, subject 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 keep the Journal of each session, which shall comprise a clear and succinct account of thebusiness transacted and action taken by the House; Provided, That journals, of executive

sessions shall be kept in a separate book 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 required by the House or ordered by the Speaker;

(e) To note all questions of order together with the decisions thereon and to print the same at theclose 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 theMembers of the Record of the House for said session and of the Acts and Resolutions passedand 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 Officers of the Housesufficient copies of books and printed documents;

(h) To cause to be printed and delivered to each Member or mailed to his address at thecommencement of every regular session a list of the reports which each head of Department is

required to submit to the House, referring to Act, Resolution or page of the Journal in which it maybe contained and placing under the name of each officer the list of reports required of him;

(i) To send at the close of each session, or soon thereafter, printed copies of the Record of theHouse to the President of the Philippines, the Cabinet Members and such other persons or

entities as the House may authorize;

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(j) To refer to the proper committee or committees, as the Speaker may direct, such bills andother documents as may be presented or endorsed to the House;

(k) To attest and affix the seal of the House to all writs, warrants and subpoenae issued by orupon order of the House or Speaker;

(l) To certify and affix the seal of the House to all measures, orders and resolutions approved bythe House;

(m) To submit to the Speaker all contracts and agreements for his approval;

(n) To be the custodian of the property and records of the House and all others governmentproperty within its premises. At the beginning and end of each session, to make 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.

Sec. 13. Supervisory Power. Subject to the supervision and control of the Speaker,

the Secretary General shall be immediate chief of the personnel of the House and shallbe responsible for the faithful and proper performance of their official duties.

RULE V

THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Sec. 14. Election. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be elected by a majority vote of all theMembers at the commencement of each Congress.

He shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. Any

vacancy in the office shall be filled in the same manner, except when such vacancyoccurs during the recess, in which case the Speaker may designate an Acting

Sergeant-at-Arms.

In the absence or incapacity of the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Assistant Sergeant-at-Armsshall assume the powers and duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms, unless the Speaker

designates as Acting Sergeant-at-Arms.

Sec. 15. Duties and Powers. The duties and powers of the Sergeant-at-Arms shallbe:

(a) To be personally present in all sessions of the House unless excused by the Speaker or thePresiding Officer and to be present, personally or thorough his subordinates, in all meetings ofthe Committees;

(b) To strictly enforce the Rules relating to admission to the Session Hall, the galleries, corridors,and premises of the House building;

(c) To be responsible for the faithful and proper behavior and performance of employees underhim;

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(d) To execute the orders of the House and serve all processes issued by authority thereof or theSpeaker;

(e) To be responsible for the security and maintenance of order during the session of the Houseunder the direction of the Speaker or the Presiding Officer, during the meeting of any of the

Committees or Subcommittees under the direction of the Chairman thereof; and in the

antechambers, corridors and offices of the House, whether in session or not, under the directionof the Speaker and, during the period between the final adjournment of one Congress and theorganization of the next, under the direction of the Secretary General;

(f) To be responsible for the personal safety of the Members while in the House premises or, asthe Speaker may direct, in any other place;

(g) To be responsible for the security of the properties of the House; and

(h) To keep the Mace under his custody.

Sec. 16. The Mace. The Mace shall be the symbol of authority of the House and

shall be displayed at the Speaker's rostrum when the House is in session.

The Mace shall serve as the warrant for the Sergeant-at-Arms in enforcing order in theHouse.

RULE VI

THE ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL

AND

THE COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

Sec. 17. Composition. The House representation to the Electoral Tribunal and theCommission of Appointments shall be constituted in accordance with Sections 17 and18, Article VI of the Constitutions within thirty days after the election of the Speaker.

Sec. 18. Election. The motion or resolution to elect the members of the ElectoralTribunal and Commission on Appointments shall not be subject to a division of the

House.

Sec. 19. Rules and Regulations. The House recognizes the power of the Electoral

Tribunal and the Commission of Appointments to adopt their own rules and regulations.

Sec. 20. Vacancy. Any vacancy in the Tribunal or Commission shall be filled by theHouse in accordance with Sections 17 and 18 hereof. In case a vacancy occurs in theTribunal during the recess of the Congress, the Speaker may fill it temporarily with a

member belonging to the same party as the former incumbent upon nomination of theMajority Leader or the Minority Leader, as the case may be.

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RULE VII

THE COMMITTEES

Sec. 21. Standing Committees. The House shall have the following standing

committees organized, except for the Committee on Rules, on the basis of proportionalrepresentation of the Majority and the Minority, the membership and general jurisdictionof which shall be as hereafter stated:

(1) Accounts, 31 members. All matters relating to the perpetration, submission and approval ofthe internal budget of the House, and supervision over the accounting and financial operations of

the House.

(2) Agrarian Reform, 31 members. All matters relating to agrarian reform, landed estates,resettlement and support services to the beneficiaries concerned.

(3) Agriculture and Food, 51 members. All matters relating to agriculture; agribusiness,agricultural economics and research; soil survey and conservation; irrigation; agricultural

education; fertilizer and pesticides; extension services; animal industry, including livestockquarantine; farm credit and farm security; crop and livestock insurance and guarantee schemes;

and organization and supervision of agriculture cooperatives.

(4) Appropriations, 69 members. All matters relating to funds for the expenditures of theNational Government and for the payment of public indebtedness, and the classification ofpositions and determination of salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits of government

personnel.

(5) Banks and Financial Intermediaries, 41 members. All matters relating to banking andcurrency generally; government-owned or-controlled financial institutions; other financial

institutions; private corporations; and insurance, securities and securities exchange.

(6) Civil Service and Professional Regulation, 21 members. All matters relating to theoperation and rules of the Civil Service and the status of officers and employees of the

Government, including their welfare and benefits such as retirement, pension and gratuity; andthe regulation of professions and professionals.

(7) Civil, Political and Human Rights, 21 members. All matters relating to the enhancement orprotection of human rights of all persons in the Philippines and of Filipino abroad; assistance to

victims of human rights violations and their families; and the prevention of or punishment forviolations thereof.

(8) Constitutional Amendments, 31 members. All matters relating to amendments of theConstitution.

(9) Ecology, 21 members. All matters relating to ecosystem management including pollutioncontrol.

(10) Economic Affairs, 41 members. All matters relating to economic or socio-economicstudies, planning, programming and development, including social security programs.

(11) Education and Culture, 51 members. All matters relating to education and culture;schools, colleges and universities; libraries and museums; non-formal and community adult

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education; the national language; and the preservation, enrichment and dynamic evolution ofFilipino national culture.

(12) Energy, 31 members. All matters relating to the exploration, development, exploitation,utilization or conservation of energy; and public utilities concerned with power generation,

transmission, distribution and supply.

(13) Ethics, 21 members. All matters relating to the duties, conduct, rights, privileges, dignity,integrity and reputation of the House and its Members, individually or collectively.

(14) Foreign Affairs, 41 members. All matters relating to the relations of the Philippines withother countries; diplomatic and consular services; the United Nations and its agencies; and

international cultural, health, labor and other organizations.

(15) Games and Amusements, 31 members. All matters relating to all forms and places ofrecreation, games and amusements.

(16) Good Government, 31 members. All matters relating to, including investigations of,malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance in office by officers and employees of the

Government, its political subdivisions and instrumentalities; and investigations of any matter ofpublic interest, on its own initiative or brought to its attention by any Member of the House.

(17) Government Enterprises and Privatization, 31 members. All matters relating to thecreation, organization, operation and reorganization of government-owned or controlled

corporations other than banks and financial institutions, including Government Service InsuranceSystem, the Social Service System and similar institutions.

(18) Government Reorganization, 21 members. All matters relating to the reorganization of theGovernment 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 itsprincipal functions.

(19) Health, 41 members. All matters relating to public health and hygiene; and medical,hospital and quarantine facilities and services.

(20) Housing and Urban Development, 31 members. All matters relating to housing and allother forms of human shelter or habitation, wherever located; and urban land reform anddevelopment, particularly water supply, electrification and zoning and the upliftment of the

condition of the urban poor.

(21) Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, 15 members. All matters relating tointerparliamentary relations, linkages with international parliamentary organizations such as but

not limited to Asian Interparliamentary Organization (AIPO), Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians'Union (APPU), Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and the Inter-parliamentary Union

(IPU); establishment of interparliamentary friendship societies; foreign travel and attendance ininternational conference including the formulation of guidelines/standard operating procedures in

connection with such foreign travel; and visits of parliamentary delegations as well as otherforeign dignitaries.

(22) Justice, 41 members. All matters relating to rules of procedure governing inquiries in aidof legislation; administration of justice; civil courts, penitentiaries and reform schools; practice of

law and integration of the Bar; legal aid; adult probation; impeachment proceedings against

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constitutional officers and other officers removable by impeachment; registration of land titles;and immigration, deportation and naturalization.

(23) Labor and Employment, 41 members. All matters relating to labor, employment andmanpower development; maintenance of industrial peace and promotion of employer-employeecooperation; labor education, standards and statistics; organization of the labor market, including

promotion, development, recruitment, training and placement of manpower, here and abroad.

(24) Local Government, 41 members. All matters relating to provinces, cities, municipalities,sanggunians and barangays, including those connected exclusively with their revenues or

expenditures;

(25) Legislative Franchises, 31 members. All matters relating to the grant, amendment,extension or revocation of franchises;

(26) Muslim Affairs, 21 members. All matters relating to Muslim affairs and the development ofpredominantly Muslim areas.

(27) National Cultural Communities, 21 members. All matters relating to national cultural

communities and the development of predominantly cultural community areas.

(28) National Defense, 41 members. All matters relating to national defense and security;Armed Forces of the Philippines citizens army; selective services; forts and arsenals; military

bases; reservations and yards; and coast and geodetic surveys.

(29) Natural Resources, 41 members. All matters relating to natural resources, except energy,and their exploitation, management, exploration and utilization; lands of the public domain; mines

and minerals; forests; and parks.

(30) People's Participation, 21 members. All matters relating to the role, rights andresponsibilities of people's organizations and establishment of adequate mechanisms for

consultation with and participation of the people in the affairs of Government.

(31) Population and Family Relations, 21 members. All matters relating to population growth,family planning, census and statistics; family relations, rights and responsibilities; quality of family

life, care of the elderly and street children.

(32) Public Order and Security, 41 members. All matters relating to civil defense, police andpolice forces and agencies and private security agencies.

(33) Public Information, 21 members. All matters relating to public information and all means ofmass communication and the rights, privileges and responsibilities of those engaged therein.

(34) Public Works and Highways, 51 members. All matters relating to the planning,

construction, maintenance, improvement and repairs of public buildings, highways, bridges,roads, parks and shrine, and monuments and other public edifices of historic interest; and

drainage, flood control and protection; water utilities and utilization of waters of the public domain.

(35) Revision of Laws, 21 members. All matters relating in general to revision and/orcodification of laws.

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(36) Rules, 21 members. All matters relating to the Rules of the House; Order of Business andCalendar of Business and the creation of committees and their jurisdiction. The Majority Leader

shall be the chairman and Minority Leader a member of this Committee.

(37) Rural Development, 21 members. All matters relating to the development of the ruralareas, upliftment of the condition of their inhabitants, and delivery of basic services, except

housing.

(38) Science and Technology, 21 members. All matters relating to the development andadvancement of science and technology; and scientific and technological research.

(39) Social Services, 21 members. All matters relating to social problems which effect thestability and adjustment of the individual and of the strengthen and develop individual and

community life.

(40) Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, 21 members. All matters relating to suffrage and theconduct of elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda and recalls.

(41) Tourism, 31 members. All matters relating to tourism and the tourist industry.

(42) Trade and Industry, 51 members. All matters relating to domestic and foreign trade;patents, trade names and trade marks; standards, weights and measures; design; quality controlconsumer protection; control of prices of commodities; handicrafts and cottage industries; and the

development, coordination, regulation and diversification of industry and investments.

(43) Transportation and Communications, 51 members. All matters relating to land, sea and airtransportation and all public utilities connected therewith; ports; and postal, telegraph, radio,

telephone and other communication services.

(44) Veterans Affairs, 21 members. All matters relating to war veterans, veterans of militarycampaigns, military retirees, their surviving spouses and other beneficiaries.

(45) Ways and Means, 51 members. All matters relating to fiscal, monetary and financialaffairs of the National Government, including tariff, taxation, revenue, borrowing, credit and

bonded indebtedness.

(46) Women, 31 members. All matters relating to women's rights, protection and welfare,employment and working conditions and their potential and role in nation building.

(47) Youth and Sports Development, 21 members. All matters relating to youth developmentand promotion of moral, physical, intellectual and social well-being; and sports development in

general.

Whenever a measure covers subject matters falling within the jurisdiction of more thanone Committee, the measure shall be referred to the Committee within whose

jurisdiction the principal subject matters falls, Provided, however, that measuresentailing appropriations of funds or embodying tax or revenue proposals shall be

referred, respectively, to the Committee on Appropriations or the Committee on Waysand Means for the appropriation or tax or revenue aspect: and Provided, further, that

the Committee which acquires original jurisdiction on any measure shall be mainlyresponsible for submitting a report to the House incorporating therein the appropriate

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recommendations of the Committee on Appropriations or the Committee on Ways andMeans, as the case may be.

Sec. 22. Members, Officers, Election. Each standing committee shall have achairman 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 appearsecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh shall be the vice-chairmen, as the casemay be. In a committee of twenty-one members, there shall be two vice-chairmen. In acommittee of thirty-one, there shall be three vice-chairmen. In a committee of forty-one,there shall be four vice-chairmen. In a committee of fifty-one members, there shall besix vice-chairmen. In a committee of sixty-one members, there shall be seven vice-

chairmen.

Every Member is entitled to be a member of as many standing committees as providedfor in the next section hereof: Provided that, as far as practicable, each region shall be

represented in every Committee.

The Speaker, Deputy Speakers and Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and ranking minoritymember of the Committee on Rules or a member deputized by any of them shall have

voice and vote in all other Committees.

Any Member who is the author of a bill proposed resolution referred to a Committee 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 ormembers of the Committee insofar as the consideration of said bill or resolution and

others of a like or similar nature is concerned, but shall have no vote in the Committee.

Sec. 23. Limitations. No Member of the House shall be chairman of more than onestanding committee.

A member of the Commission on Appointments or Electoral Tribunal shall not bechairman of a standing committee.

No member of the committee shall vote in any matter regarding which he has asubstantial pecuniary interest, whether direct or indirect.

Sec. 24. Special Committees. The House shall have the following specialcommittees, organized on the basis of proportional representation of the majority and

the minority. The chairman, vice-chairman and members thereof shall be elected in thesame manner as a standing committee. Their general mandate shall be as hereinafterstated:

(1) Special Committee on Employment Generation, 11 members. To conduct acomprehensive 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

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such programs and policies geared toward the creation of employment opportunitiessufficient to meet the employment requirements of the country.

(2) Special Committee on Poverty Alleviation, 11 members. To conduct acomprehensive study and review of the poverty incidence in the country and to

recommend to the House such programs and policy proposals intended to protect andenhance the right of the poor to a decent life.

(3) Special Committee of Effective Law Enforcement, 11 members. To conduct acomprehensive study on matters relating to criminality in the country particularlyorganized crime, including oversight and review of policies and programs on lawenforcement and to recommend to the House such legislation or action as the

committee deems necessary with respect to the Philippine National Police and otheragencies tasked with crime prevention.

(4) Special Committee on export Promotion, 11 members. To conduct a

comprehensive study and review of the programs and policies regarding or affectingexports and to recommend to the House by way of legislation, ways and means ofaccelerating expert growth, reducing the trade deficit and thereafter, maintaining a

favorable trade balance.

(5) Special Committee on Reforestation, 11 members. To conduct a comprehensivestudy and review of the policies and programs concerning reforestation including the

effects of forest denudation such as soil erosion, siltation and drought and torecommend to the House such legislation or action as it deems appropriate to ensure a

successful massive reforestation program.

(6) Special Committee on Savings Mobilization, 11 members. To pursue and overseethe implementation of the president's 15 point savings mobilization plan; to conduct acontinuing comprehensive study and review of the policies and programs on domestic

savings and to recommend to the House such measures as it deems necessary togenerate two hundred billion-peso savings in two years.

(7) Special Committee on the Generation of a Million Small Enterprises, 11 members. To conduct a comprehensive study and review of the policies and programs

concerning small enterprises and to recommend to the House such legislation or actionas it deems necessary to promote and encourage the viability of small enterprises.

(8) Special Committee on the Peace Process and Integration, 11 members . Toconduct a comprehensive study and review of the policies and programs on amnestyand the integration into the mainstream of society of all rebels, insurgents and otherpersons 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 unificationprocess.

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(9) Special Committee on the Fisheries Industry, 11 members. To conduct acomprehensive study and review of all policies and programs on concerning fisheries

and aquatic resources; to recommend to the House such legislation or action as it maydeem necessary to develop the fisheries industry and promote the maximum economic

utilization of fishery resources.

(10) Special Committee on the Northwest Luzon Growth Quadrangle, 11 members. To conduct a comprehensive study of all policies and programs concerning NorthwestLuzon Growth Quadrangle and to recommend to the House such legislation or actions

as it may deem necessary for the promotion of greater economic cooperation withproximate economies.

(11) Special Committee on the East Asean Growth Area, 11 members. To conduct acomprehensive study and review of the policies, economic and social policies affecting

the countries of the participating units in the East Asean Growth Area and torecommend to the House such legislation or action as it may deem necessary to foster

and facilities trade and investment among the participating units.

(12) Special Committee on Cooperatives Development, 11 members. To conduct acomprehensive study and review of all policies and programs concerning cooperatives,

except agricultural cooperatives; and to recommend to the House such legislation orother action to foster the creation and growth of cooperatives in the country.

(13) Special Committee on Food Security, 11 members. To conduct acomprehensive study and review of the programs, and policies relating to food

production and distribution, including the factors affecting the supply of basic foodcommodities such as rice, corn, fish, poultry and hogs; and to recommend to the House

legislation or other actions necessary for fast-tracking the development andmodernization of the agricultural sector and attaining food security, self reliance, andsustained growth in basic food commodities.

(14) Special Committee on Mt. Pinatubo, 11 members. To conduct a comprehensivestudy and review of the programs, and policies relating to the rehabilitation and

reconstruction of Mt. Pinatubo devasted areas and the inhabitants thereof; and torecommend to the House legislation or other action as it deems necessary to facilitate

their recovery, growth and development.

(15) Special Committee on Overseas Contract Workers, 11 members. To conduct a

comprehensive study and review of the policies and programs affecting overseascontract workers; and to recommend to the House legislation or other action theCommittee deems necessary to promote their full protection, employment and welfare.

The special committees herein organized 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 thesubmission of recommendation or plans as the committee may require.

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The House may organize other special committees on the basis of proportionalrepresentation of the majority and the minority, and shall determine their membership

and general jurisdiction. Their officers and members shall be elected in the samemanner as a standing committee upon recommendation of the Committee on Rules.

The special committees herein organized and such other special committees that mayhereinafter be organized shall cease to exist upon the completion of their objectives.

Sec. 25. Vacancy. A vacancy in any Committee shall be filled in the same manner asprovided for in Sections 21 and 24 hereof.

Sec. 26. Place and Time of Meetings. Committee meetings, conferences or hearingsshall be held in the House building or whenever necessary in any government officeduring periods of session or during recess. They may, however, be held in any other

place when so authorized by the Speaker.

No committee except the Committee on Rules may meet while the House is sitting inplenary session without special permission from the Committee on Rules.

Two days before a scheduled committee meeting, written notice thereof shall be givento all the Members specifying therein the subject matter and the names of the resources

persons invited to said meeting.

Sec. 27. Regular and Special Meeting. The committees shall determine thefrequency of their regular meetings. Special meetings may be called by their chairman

or by one-third members, due notice, including the agenda of the meeting, being servedupon each Member. One-fifth of all the members of a committee or subcommittee shall

constitute a quorum. However, a committee or subcommittee may authorizer a smallernumber to conduct a public hearing on bills or resolutions pending before it.

Sec. 28. Subcommittees. Each committee may crate as many subcommittees as itdeem necessary.

Sec. 29. Committee Reports and Orders. Committee reports or orders on anymeasures shall be considered in formal meetings.

When a committee submits a report thereof shall be presumed to have concurred in thereport and shall be precluded from opposing the same unless he enters his objection

thereto or files with the Secretary General of the House his dissenting vote in writingwithin two days after receipt of the report or unless, upon satisfactory explanation madeby the Member concerned, the Speaker should allow otherwise.

Sec. 30. Reports of the Committee on Rules. The Committee on Rules may at anytime report on any matter within its jurisdiction. The consideration of its reports shall be

always in order.

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Sec. 31. Unexplained Absence. Unexplained absence in three successive committeemeetings may operate to relinquish membership therein.

RULE VIII

THE SESSION

Sec. 32. Commencement of Daily Sessions. Unless the House provides otherwise,the daily session shall commence at four o'clock in the afternoon on Mondays through

Thursdays and at the ten o'clock in the morning on Fridays.

Sec. 33. Call to Order. The Speaker shall open the session by calling the House toorder.

On every session day, the National Anthem shall be sang followed by one-minute silentprayer or meditation or, at the discretion of the Speaker, an invocation by any Member

designated by him.

Sec. 34.Attendance in Sessions. Every Member shall be present in all the sessionsof the House unless necessarily prevented from doing so by sickness or other

unavoidable circumstances duly reported to the House, through the Secretary General.

Sec. 35. Voting. Every Member present in the session shall vote on every questionput unless he inhibits himself on account of personal or pecuniary interest therein.

Sec. 36. Sessions Open to the Public; Exceptions. The session shall be open to thepublic except when the security of the State or petitions or motions affecting the dignity

of the House or a Member are being considered, in any of which events the House mayhold an executive session.

Sec. 37. Executive Sessions. When the House decides to hold an executive session,the Speaker shall direct the galleries and hallways to be cleared and doors closed.

Sec. 38. Persons Allowed in Executive Sessions. Only the Secretary General, theSergeant-at-Arms and other persons specifically authorized 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.

Sec. 39. Confidential Documents. When, by request of the House, confidentialdocuments or papers marked as such are transmitted to it by the President or a head of

department and require consideration in an executive session, their existence orcontents shall not be revealed without leave of the House.

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Sec. 40. Suspension and Adjournment of Session. Sessions shall not be adjournedexcept by direction of the House, but the Speaker may, in his discretion, declare at any

time a suspension or recess of short interval.

Sec. 41. Emergency Session. The House, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four

hour following the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of thewrit ofhabeas corpus or the occurrence of any national emergency, convene at teno'clock in the morning of the day immediately following such proclamation, suspension

or emergency, without need of a call.

Sec. 42. Convening of the House During a Recess. The Speaker, in consultation withthe Majority and the Minority Leaders and the Senate counterpart, may convene the

House in session at any time during a recess or between sessions to consider urgentlegislative matters.

Sec. 43. Opening and Adjournment Entered in Journal. The exact hour of opening

and adjournment of a session shall be entered in the journal.

RULE IX

ROLL CALL AND QUORUM

Sec. 44. Roll Call. Upon every roll call, the names of Members shall be calledalphabetically by surnames, except when two or more have the same surnames, in

which case the full name shall be called. If there are two Members with the same nameand surname, their legislative districts shall be added.

Sec. 45. Quorum. A majority of all the Members of the House shall constitute aquorum to do business.

Sec. 46.Absence of Quorum. In the absence of a quorum after the roll call, theMember present may compel the attendance of absent Members.

In all calls of the House, the doors shall be closed. Except those whose attendance areexcused pursuant to Section 34 of these Rules, the absentees, by order of a majority of

those present, shall be sent for and arrested wherever they may be found andconducted to the session. The order shall be executed by the Sergeant-at-Arms and by

such officers as the Speaker may designate. After the presence of the Members

arrested is secured at the session hall, the Speaker shall determine the condition fortheir discharge. Members who voluntarily appear shall be admitted immediately to thesession hall. They shall report to the Secretary General to have their presence

recorded.

Sec. 47.Automatic Call of the House. When the result of the voting on a questionshows the absence of a quorum and a Member calls the attention of the House to this

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fact, there shall be a call of the House to compel attendance of absent Members whoshall be given the opportunity to vote unless it adjourns.

If those voting on the question and those who are present but abstain from the votingshall together make a majority of the House, the Speaker shall declare that a quorum is

constituted, and the pending questions shall be resolved as the majority of those votingshall decide. Thereupon, further procedure under the call shall be dispensed with.

Sec. 48. Motion to Adjourn Vacates Call. At any time after the roll call is completed, amotion to adjourn shall be in order and, if approved by a majority of those present, all

proceedings under the preceding section shall be vacated.

RULE X

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Sec. 49. Order of Business. The daily order of business shall be:

(a) Roll call;

(b) Approval of the journal of the previous session;

(c) First reading and referral to committees of bills proposed, resolutions, messages,communications, petitions and memorials;

(d) Committee reports;

(e) Unfinished business;

(f) Business for the day;

(g) Business for a certain date;

(h) Unassigned business; and

(i) Bills for third reading.

Sec. 50.Approval of Journal. The journal shall be submitted to the House forapproval. The journal for the last day of a regular or special session shall be approved

in the manner determined by the House.

RULE XI

CALENDAR

Sec. 51. Parts of Calendar. The calendar shall consist of:

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(a) Unfinished Business This is business being considered by the House at the time of its lastadjournment. Its consideration shall be resumed until it is disposed of. Thereafter, the Speaker shall call

for the business for the day.

(b) Business for the Day. These are bills, resolutions and other measures set on the calendar for theday by the Committee 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) Business for a Certain Date. This is business set for consideration on a certain date. It shall beconsidered on the date set and on subsequent days in chronological order until disposed of unless the

continuation of the consideration of any business therein included is set for another day.

No business shall be set for consideration unless it has been placed in this calendar twodays in advance.

(d) Business for Thursday and Friday. Bills of local application shall be included in the calendar everyThursday and Friday. Such bills shall be arranged and considered in the order set by the Committee onRules. No such bill shall be considered unless it has been placed in this calendar two days in advance.Any unfinished business in this calendar shall be placed in the calendar for the following Thursday and

Friday.

(e) Unassigned Business. These are bills, resolutions and other measures reported by the committeebut not calendared by the Committee on Rules. Any business included in this calendar may be set for

consideration on motion of a Member with the unanimous approval of the House.

(f) Bills on Third Reading. Bill shall be submitted to final vote by yeas and nays after printed copiesthereof 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.

Sec. 52. Distribution of Calendar. The calendar shall be distributed each day of

session unless there is no addition to the one previously distributed, in which case anote to this effect on the order of business shall be sufficient.

RULE XII

PRIVILEGE HOUR

Sec. 53. Privilege Hour. On Mondays and, at the discretion of the Speaker and theunanimous consent of the House, on any other day, and after the reading of the order of

business, there shall be a privilege hour. Any Member may speak on any matter ofgeneral interest. If more than one Member desires to make use of this privilege, the first

to apply, either in writing in the office of the Secretary General or verbally in opensession, shall be given precedence. If, after a Member has finished, sufficient time is left

of the hour, the second Member who has asked to speak may do so, and so onsuccessively until the full hour is consumed. If requests to make use of the one-hourprivilege remain recorded at the expiration of the hour, they shall be recorded in the

same order for the next Monday.

RULE XIII

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QUESTION HOUR

APPEARANCE OF HEADS OF DEPARTMENT

Sec. 54.Appearance Upon Initiative of Department Head. When 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 theSpeaker who, with the concurrence of the House, may set the date and hour for his

appearance.

Sec. 55.Appearance Upon Request of House. A department head may be requestedto appear before the House and be heard by it on any matter pertaining to his

department. The request shall state specifically the questions to be answered and thedate and hour for his appearance. His appearance shall be scheduled at least three

days from receipt of the request.

The order of business shall specify the subject of the questions, the department headrequested to answer them and the proponent thereof.

Sec. 56. Day of Appearance. The appearance of department heads shall bescheduled on any Thursday and on such other day as may be determined by the

Speaker or a majority of the Members of the House after the reading of the order ofbusiness. The department head may answer the questions directed to him either orallyor in writing. Interpellations of Members shall not be limited to the written questions but

may cover matters related thereto. Such interpellations shall conform with the standardsfor questions herein provided. The questions and answers shall be recorded in the

journal.

Sec. 57.Appearance in Executive Session. The appearance of a department headshall be conducted in an executive session when the security of the State or the public

interest requires and the President so states in writing.

Sec. 58. Question. Written questions shall be submitted to the Speaker in triplicate.Questions of an urgent nature or those relating to current issues shall be given priority.

Question may be withdrawn by the proponent: Provided, that no answer has yet beenmade. The withdrawal shall be in writing, addressed to the Speaker, and submitted

before the day of the scheduled appearance.

Sec. 59. Standards Set for Question. Questions shall be based on facts, asked toobtain information or press for action.

No question shall:

(a) Contain arguments;

(b) Suggest its own answer;

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(c) Include offensive or unparliamentary language or expression;

(d) Pertain to subjudice matters;

(e) Seek an opinion on a question of law;

(f) Include names or statements other than what is strictly necessary to make thequestion intelligible;

(g) Relate to matters falling directly under the responsibility of anotherdepartment head;

(h) Refer to an item of the agenda of the current month's session or toproceedings of a committee not yet reported, or suggest amendments to bills

before the House of Representatives; or

(i) Repeat a question previously asked and answered.

Sec. 60. Form of Questions and Answer. In form, questions and answers ofexcessive length are not in order.

Sec. 61. Written Questions Not Conforming With Standards. If the questions doesnot conform with the foregoing standards, the Speaker may return the question to the

Member concerned and the latter may modify or restate the question to make it conformwith the said standards or appeal the action of the Speaker to the House. Said appeal

shall be resolved like all other appeals from the ruling of the Speaker.

Sec. 62. Classification and Disposition of Questions. Questions may be classifiedaccording to the order of priority laid down in Section 58 hereof and grouped together by

subject matter by the Speaker who shall decide the order in which the said question areto be dealt with.

During the appearance of the department head, the Speaker shall direct the SecretaryGeneral to read the questions according to their precedence, the name of the proponent

and the department head to whom the question is directed.

Sec. 63. Standards Set for Answers. Answers shall immediately relate to thequestions propounded, without need for discussing general policies or programs. Theyshall be concise and responsive, and shall avoid argumentation. They shall conform

with the standards set for questions, where these are applicable.

Sec. 64. Questions of Local Significance. The Speaker may direct that a question oflocal significance be answered in writing only.

Sec. 65. Questions Left Unanswered. Questions proposed for a question hour whichare left unanswered may be answered in writing or, where necessary, during a day set

aside by the Speaker before the next question hour or at any succeeding question hour.

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Questions not taken due to the absence of both the proponent and the department headshall be reset to any other day.

Sec. 66. Interpellations and Comments of Proponents of Original Questions. At theend of each question hour, it shall be in order for any proponent of the original questions

to interpellate the department head concerned and make comments, observations andstatements relative to the answers given and to be interpellated by the department headconcerned. Immediately thereafter, the department head concerned may make a reply.The interpellations and comments of proponent and the reply of the department head

shall be subject to the ten-minute rule.

No interpellation from other Members shall be allowed on the reply of the departmenthead. Only the proponent of the question 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

questions were asked.

Sec. 67. Questions Hour Service Unit. A Question Hour Service Unit (QHSU) shallbe organized in the Office of the Speaker which shall facilitate, coordinate and expedite

all matters relative to the Question Hour as provided under Rule XIII of these Rules.

RULE XIV

BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, MESSAGES, MEMORIALS

AND PETITIONS

Sec. 68. Bills and Resolutions. Bills and proposed resolutions shall be signed by theirauthor or authors and filed with the Secretary General, who shall assign to each a

number. A bill or joint resolution shall embrace only one subject which shall beexpressed in the title thereof.

Sec. 69. First Reading. The Secretary General shall report all bills and proposedresolutions to the House for first reading within three session days from receipt thereof.

During the first reading, the principal author may proposed the inclusion of additionalauthors by submitting a list of such authors to the Secretary General.

Sec. 70. Referral to Committee. The first reading shall only be by number, title andauthor, followed by referral to the appropriate committees.

Sec. 71. Consolidation or Substitution. A consolidated or substitute bill or resolutionby 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

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dates of filing. The rest of the authors shall be thereafter be enumerated in the sameorder.

Sec. 72. Period to Report. The committee shall submit a report on the bill orresolution within fifty session days after it is referred to it, except as herein otherwise

provided.

Sec. 73. Bills Favorably Reported. If the committee report on a bill or resolution isfavorable, the bill or resolution shall be forwarded to the Committee on Rules.

Sec. 74. Bills Unfavorably Reported. If the committee report on a bill or resolution isunfavorable, 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.

Sec. 75. Discharge of Committee on Bills Not Reported. A Member may present tothe Secretary General 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 daysprior thereto and has not been returned to the House. The motion may be placed in thecustody Secretary General who shall arrange some convenient place for the signatureof Members. A signature may be withdrawn by a Member in writing at any time beforethe motion is entered in the journal. When 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.

Sec. 76. Consideration of Motion to Discharge. After the privilege hour on anyMonday, except during the last fifteen days of any session, any Member who has

signed a motion to discharge may demand the consideration thereof. After not morethan thirty minutes of debate, the House shall proceed to vote on the motion.

If the motion adopted refers to a bill or resolution, a motion shall be in order to proceedto the immediate consideration of such bill or resolution; and if such motion prevails, the

bill or resolution shall be considered immediately.

After a motion to discharge is lost, it shall not be in order to entertain during the samesession year any other motion to discharge the same committee or any other committeefrom the consideration of the same bill or any other bill of substantially the same subjectmatter. After the House acts on the motion to discharge, all other motions to discharge

dealing on bills or resolutions of similar subject matter which are pending in the calendarof business shall be stricken therefrom and shall not be acted upon during the

remainder of the same session year.

Sec. 77. Urgent Bills and Resolutions. On motion by the Committee on Rules, theHouse may declare urgent a bill or joint resolution and consider it in accordance with a

timetable.

The timetable shall be prepared by the Committee on Rules fixing the date when the billor resolution must be reported by the Committee concerned, the number of days or

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hours to be allotted to the consideration of the bill on second reading, and the date andhour debate must be concluded and final vote taken.

Sec. 78. Second Reading and Debate. On second reading of a bill or resolution, itshall 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 billshall be subject to debate and pertinent motions.

Sec. 79. Motion to Close Debate. In the discussion of any measure, a motion toclose debate shall be in order after three speeches for and two against, or after only one

speech for and none entered against.

During the last fifteen days before adjournment, motion to close debate shall be in orderafter two speeches for and one against, or after only one speech for and none entered

against.

Sec. 80. Cloture. When several Members register or signify their intention to speakon the under consideration and when the matter is sufficiently and thoroughly discussedby the Members speaking, the Speaker may motu proprio or upon motion of a Member,

order that a Member having the floor desist from speaking further so that otherMembers may not be deprived of their opportunity to speak.

Sec. 81.Amendments. After the close of debate, the House shall proceed to theconsideration of committee amendments subject to the five-minute rule. A Member who

desires to speak against an amendment shall also have five minutes.

The five-minute rule shall apply, likewise, in the consideration of an amendment to an

amendment, or of an amendment by substitution.

Sec. 82.Approval of Bill on Second Reading. After the amendments are acted upon,the bill shall be voted on second reading.

Sec. 83. Third Reading. A bill approved on second reading shall be included in thecalendar of bills for third reading.

No bill or joint resolution shall become a law unless it passes three readings onseparate days, and printed copies thereof in its final form are distributed to the Membersthree days before its passage, except when the President certified to the necessity of its

immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency. On the third reading of abill or resolution, no amendment thereto shall be allowed. The vote thereon shall betaken immediately, and the yeas and the nays entered in the journal.

Sec. 84. Transmittal to Senate. The Secretary General, without need of an expressorder, shall transmit to the Senate for its concurrence all the bills and joint or concurrent

resolutions approved by the House or the amendments of the House to the bills orresolutions of the Senate, as the case may be. If the measures approved without

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amendment are bills or resolutions of the Senate, or if amendments of the Senate tobills of the House are accepted, he shall forthwith notify the Senate of the action taken.

Sec. 85. Bills from Senate. The bills, resolutions and communications of the Senateshall 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 Senate, as well as Senate bills which aresubstantially the same as the House bills previously approved, may be disposed of

immediately as pending matters. The Senate bills which are substantially the same asthe House bills previously reported by a House committee may be disposed of as a

measure entered in the record of matters already reported.

Sec. 86. Conference Committee. In the event that the House does not agree with theSenate on the amendment to any bill or joint resolution, the differences may be settled

by conference committees of both Chambers.

Sec. 87. Conference Committee Reports. The consideration of conferencecommittee reports shall always be in order, except when the journal is being read, while

the roll is being called or the House is dividing on any question. The reports shall besigned by the conferees on the last page. Each of the pages of such reports shall be

signed by the Chairman. Each report shall contain a detailed, sufficiently explicitstatement of the changes in or amendments to the subject measure.

The consideration of such report shall not be in order unless copies thereof aredistributed to the Members: Provided, That in the last fifteen days of each sessionperiod it shall be deemed sufficient that three copies of the report, signed as above

provided, are deposited in the office of the Secretary General.

Sec. 88.Action by the President. Every bill passed by Congress shall, before itbecomes a law, be presented to the President. If he approves the same, he shall sign it;

otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same with his objections to the House. ThePresident 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.

Sec. 89. Procedure on Vetoed Bills. If the President vetoes a bill or any part thereof,the House shall record the objections of the President in the journal and shall proceed

to consider the bill or item or items vetoed.

During reconsideration, the House shall proceed to vote by yeas and nays on the bill orthe vetoed item or items thereof. The yeas and nays with the names of the Membersvoting shall be recorded in the journal. If 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.

Sec. 90. Procedure for Resolution. Resolutions shall be subject to the sameprocedure as bills regarding introduction, reference to the appropriate committee and

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consideration: Provided, That the Committee on Rules, may, for reasons of urgency,calendar for immediate consideration any resolution except a joint resolution.

Sec. 91. Messages. Messages from the President of the Philippines shall be read infull before the House, and those in which any recommendations are made shall be

referred to the proper committees.

Sec. 92. Memorial and Petitions. Communications from heads of departments,memorials and petitions shall be reported to the House and, if necessary, referred to the

proper committees.

RULE XV

PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION

Sec. 93. Form of Proposals. Proposals to amend the Constitution shall be by

resolution which may be filed at any time by any Member.

Sec. 94. Procedure for Adoption of Resolution. The adoption of resolutions proposingamendments to the Constitution shall follow the procedure for the enactment of bills.

Sec. 95. Constitutional Convention. The Congress may, by vote of two-thirds of all itsMembers, call a constitutional convention or, by a majority vote of all its Members,

submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.

RULE XVI

DECORUM AND DEBATE

Sec. 96. Manner of Addressing Chair. When a Member desires to speak, he shallrise and respectfully address the Chair "Mr. Speaker."

Sec. 97. Recognition of Member. When two or more Members rise at the same time,the Speaker shall recognize the Member who is to speak first.

Sec. 98. Time Limit. No Member shall speak more than one hour in debate on anyquestion nor more than once on any question without leave of the House.

Sec. 99. Sponsor to Open and Close Debate. The Member reporting a measure mayopen and close the debate. If the debate extends beyond one day without the debatebeing closed, he shall be entitled to an additional thirty minutes to close.

Sec. 100. Decorum. The Member who has the floor shall confine himself to thequestion under debate, avoiding personalities in all cases. He shall refrain from

indecorous words or acts. The Chair may motu proprio, or as the House may direct,order such unparliamentary statements, remarks or words stricken off the record.

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If a Member is called to order by another for words spoken in debate, the latter shallindicate the words excepted to. The Secretary General shall note and read aloud said

words. However, the Member called to order shall not be held to answer nor be subjectto censure by the House if further debate or other business intervenes.

Sec. 101. Conduct During Sessions. During the session, the Members shall be inproper attire and observe decorum: Provided, that during Monday sessions womenmembers shall be in traditional filipina dress.

No member shall be near the Secretary General's desk during the roll call or thecounting of votes.

No Member shall pass between the Chair and another Member who has the floor.

While the Speaker is addressing the House or putting question, no Member shall walkout of or cross the Session Hall.

Sec. 102. Smoking Prohibited. Smoking is prohibited within the session hall.

RULE XVII

VOTING

Sec. 103. Manner of Voting. The Speaker shall rise to put a question, saying "Asmany as are in favor of (as the question may be) say Aye" and after the affirmative vote

is counted, "As many as are opposed, say Nay."

If he doubts the outcome or a division is called for, the House shall divide. Those infavor shall first rise and then those against.

If he still doubts or a count by tellers is demanded, he shall name one from each side ofthe question to count the Members in the affirmative and the negative. After the count

reported, the Speaker shall rise and announce the result.

An abstention shall not be counted as a vote. Unless otherwise provided by theConstitution or by these Rules, a majority of those voting, a quorum being present, shall

decide the issue.

Sec. 104. Nominal Voting. The yeas and nays on any question shall, at the requestof one-fifth of the Members present, be entered in the journal.

Sec. 105. Second Call on Nominal Voting. After the Members have voted yeas andnays in nominal voting, the Secretary General shall call in alphabetical order the namesof those who did not vote so that they may vote. After the second call, no member shall

be allowed to vote.

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Sec. 106. Explanation of Vote. A Member may explain his vote in not more thanthree minutes.

Sec. 107. No Interruption During voting; Exception. The voting shall not beinterrupted except on a question ofquorum.

Sec. 108. Tie Vote. In case of a tie, the Speaker shall vote. A tie on an appeal fromthe ruling of the Chair sustains the decision of the Chair.

RULE XVIII

RECONSIDERATION

Sec. 109. Who May Vote; Procedure; Exceptions. When a bill, report or motion isadopted or lost, a Member who voted with the majority may move for its reconsideration

on the same of succeeding sessions day. The motion shall take precedence over all

other questions, except a motion to adjourn, a question of privilege, and a point of order.

Sec. 110. Limitations. No bill, resolution, memorial or petition recommitted to acommittee or ordered to be printed shall be brought back to the House on a motion to

reconsider.

RULE XIX

MOTIONS AND THEIR PRECEDENCE

Sec. 111. Recording of Motion. Every motion shall be entered in the journal with the

name of the Member making it unless it is withdrawn on the same day.

Sec. 112. Reading and Withdrawal of Motions. The Speaker shall state the motionor, if in writing, shall cause it to be read by the Secretary General before being debated.

A motion may be withdrawn any time before its approval.

Sec. 113. Precedence of Motions. When any matter is under debate, no motion shallbe entertained except to adjourn, raise a question of privilege, declare a recess, lay onthe 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 subject to

the five-minute rule). Said motions shall have precedence in the foregoing order. After a

motion to postpone to any day certain, refer or postpone indefinitely is lost, it shall noragain be allowed on the same day.

Sec. 114.Amendments. When any matter is under consideration, a motion to amendand a further motion to amend the amendatory motion shall be in order.

It shall also be in order to move for amendment by substitution, but said motion shall notbe voted upon until the text of the original matter is perfected.

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Any of said amendments may be withdrawn before a vote is had thereon.

Sec. 115. Rider Prohibited. No motion or proposition on a subject matter differentfrom that under consideration shall be allowed under the guise of amendment.

Sec. 116. One Motion for One Subject Matter. No motion shall cover more than onesubject matter.

Sec. 117. Motion to Strike and Insert. A motion to strike and insert is indivisible. Theloss of a pure motion to strike shall not preclude an amendment or a motion to strike

and insert.

Sec. 118.Amendment of Title. Amendments to the title of a bill or resolution shall bein order only after the text thereof has been perfected. Amendments to the title shall be

decided without debate.

Sec. 119. Vote on Paper Objected To. A motion to read a paper other than thatwhich the House is called to vote upon shall be voted without debate.

Sec. 120. Point of Order; Precedence. A motion to read any part of the rules isequivalent to a point of order and takes precedence over any motion other than to

adjourn.

RULE XX

QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE

Sec. 121. Definition. Questions of privilege are those affecting the duties, conduct,rights, privileges, dignity, integrity or reputation of the House or of its Members,collectively or individually.

Sec. 122. Precedence. Subject to the ten-minute rule, questions of privilege shallhave precedence over all other questions, except a motion to adjourn and a point of

order.

RULE XXI

PRIVILEGED QUESTIONS

Sec. 123. Definition and Precedence. A privileged motion pertains to a subject matterwhich, under the Rules, takes precedence over others.

The order of precedence of privileged motions is determined in each case by the Rules.

RULE XXII

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SUSPENSION OF THE RULES

Sec. 124. Who Can Move. Only the Committee on Rules can move for thesuspension of the Rules.

Sec. 125. Vote Required. No rule shall be suspended except by a vote of two-thirdsof the Members present constituting a quorum.

Sec. 126. Interruption of Motion. When a motion to suspend the rules is pending, onemotion to adjourn may be entertained. If the latter is lost, no similar motion shall be

entertained until the vote is taken on the motion to suspend.

Sec. 127. Debate; Effect of Suspension. A motion to suspend the Rules for thepassage of a measure may be debated for one hour, which shall be divided equally

between in those in favor and those against.

If the House votes to suspend the Rules, it shall forthwith proceed to consider themeasure. A two-thirds vote of the Members present constituting a quorum shall benecessary for the passage of said measure.

RULE XXIII

DISCIPLINE

Sec. 128. Discipline of Members. Upon the recommendation of the Committee onEthics, the House may punish its Members for disorderly behavior and, with the

concurrence of two-thirds of all Members, suspend or expel Members. A penalty of

suspension shall not exceed sixty days.

RULE XXIV

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Sec. 129. Resumption of Unfinished Business. The unfinished business at the end ofa session shall be resumed at the commencement of the next session as if no

adjournment has taken place.

All pending matters and proceedings shall terminate upon the expiration of the term of

Congress and the records pertaining thereto delivered to the archives within fifteen daysafter such expiration.

RULE XXV

PAPERS

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Sec. 130. Delivery of Papers to Archives. All papers and records relating to thecompleted business of the House shall be delivered to, kept by and preserved in the

archives.

Sec. 131. Duty of Secretaries of Committees. Secretaries of committees of their

equivalent personnel shall, within seven days after the enactment of bills or jointresolutions, and fifteen days after final adjournment of Congress, deliver to the archivesall bills, resolutions, petitions and other papers referred to their respective committeestogether with the records of proceedings, reports of investigations conducted, and all

evidence taken by such committees.

If the secretary of a committee fails or neglects to comply with this Rule, the SecretaryGeneral shall, within seven days thereafter, take into custody all such papers.

Disciplinary may be taken against the erring employee.

Sec. 132. Records and Books Open to Public. The records and books of accounts of

the House shall be preserved and be open to the public in accordance with law, andsuch books shall be available for audit by the Commission on Audit.

RULE XXVI

SESSION HALL

Sec. 133. Use of Session Hall. The session hall shall be used only for sessions,caucuses, and meetings of Members, except when the House directs otherwise.

Sec. 134. Space reserved for Members. The space set aside in the session hall for

Members and the House personnel needed therein while the House is in session shallbe reserved exclusively for them. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall not permit any otherperson to enter or stay within the said space. Fifteen minutes before the session, the

Sergeant-at-Arms shall clear said space of all other persons, and it shall be so kept untilrecess or adjournment.

This section shall not be suspended, except with respect to a consultant or a technicalassistant needed by the reporting committee or by the movant or a motion under

consideration.

RULE XXVII

SEATS AND ROOMS

Sec. 135.Assignment of Seats and Rooms, by Lot. Except those assigned to theDeputy Speakers, the Majority Leader and his assistants, and the Minority Leader and

his assistants, seats in the session hall and rooms in the House building shall beassigned by lot among the Members.

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RULE XXVIII

OFFICIAL SEAL

Sec. 137. Rulings as Precedents. The House shall adopt its own official seal.

RULE XXIX

RULINGS AS PRECEDENTS

Sec. 137. Rulings as Precedents. Rulings on questions raised by Members shallform part of the parliamentary practice of the House.

RULE XXX

AMENDMENTS

Sec. 138.Amendments. Any portion of these Rules, except as provided for by theConstitution, may be amended by a majority vote of all the Members of the House.

RULE XXXI

SUPPLETORY PROVISIONS

Sec. 139. Suppletory Provisions. The parliamentary practices of the PhilippineAssembly, the House of Representatives, the Senate of the Philippines and the

Batasang Pambansa shall be suppletory to these Rules.

RULE XXXII

EFFECTIVITY

Sec. 140. Effectivity. These Rules shall take effect on the date of their adoption.

Adopted, July 24, 1995.

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