Wednesday, August 10, 2022
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion Columns

Congress and the incoming administration

Tony La ViñabyTony La Viña
June 25, 2022, 12:15 am
in Columns, Eagle eyes by Tony La Vina, Opinion
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
233
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

In my last column, I wrote about the judiciary. To that article, I must add that I really believe that right now, we have a really good Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen are innovative leaders that will bring the judiciary to new heights.

I am thrilled with President Duterte’s recent appointments in the court, in particular, that of Justices Japar Dimaampao, Jose Midas Marquez, Antonio Kho, and Maria Filomena Singh.

When the latter was appointed, I described her as the one of the best judicial appointments of Duterte. She is brilliant, hardworking, progressive, both rigorous and imaginative. Her integrity is beyond doubt and she is fully committed to give access to justice for all.

I also said she is also quite young, which means she could be Chief Justice one day. Her being a woman is a bonus, given she will now be just one of two women in the Court.

For today, as part of my transition to the new government series, let me write about the legislative branch of government.

ADVERTISEMENT

Indeed, except for the presidency, no other institution plays a more pivotal role in the life of a nation than the legislature, or the law-making body.

This is true with the Congress of the Philippines.

Under the current constitutional set-up of government, law-making is exercised by a bicameral legislature, a.k.a. THE Congress, composed of the Senate with 24 members and the House of Representatives consisting of district representatives and party list representatives.

The Senators shall enjoy a six-year term, to serve for no more than two consecutive terms. As provided in the present Constitution, the House of Representatives has two types of membership.

The district representatives with not more than 250 members, and those elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations to constitute 20 per centum of the total number of representatives.

The First Philippine Republic of 1898-1899 adopted a unicameral congress, followed by the Philippine Commission of 1901, a colonial legislative system composed of all-American appointees later on evolving into a bicameral legislature by virtue of the Jones Act of 1916.

A unicameral National Assembly replaced the bicameral body after the 1935 Philippine Constitution was ratified. A constitutional amendment in 1941 restored the bicameral legislature that came to be called the Congress of the Philippines.

September 1972 saw a major change in the legislature when President Ferdinand E. Marcos placed the country under martial law when Congress was abolished and replaced in 1978 by a Marcos-controlled unicameral National Assembly, known as Batasang Pambansa.

This was the state of Congress until, Marcos was ousted in the 1986 EDSA Revolution to usher in the present Constitution and rebirth of the old bicameral legislature.

Congress is a vital cog in the government and the society as large.

Aside from enacting laws, the legislature also exercises inherent, specific, and implied powers which are essential to the proper performance of its constitutional duties.

Inherent powers include the power to determine the rules of proceedings; to compel attendance of absent members to obtain quorum to do business; to keep journal of its proceedings; etc.

It is likewise expressly vested by the Constitution with specific powers such as power to appropriate, and power to impeach; (to initiate all cases of impeachment is the power of the House of Representatives and to try all cases of impeachment is the power of the Senate).

It has the power to confirm treaties (Senate); to declare the existence of war; to concur amnesty; and to act as board of canvasser for presidential/vice-presidential votes, among others.

The Congress is also given powers to check on the powers of the president.

Among these are: Checking the president’s power to appropriate money for government use (Article VI, Section 25); Providing consent on appointments made by the president (Article VII, Section 16); Checking the president’s power as commander in chief in the suspension of writ of habeas corpus or declaration of martial law (Article VII, Section 17); and concurring with president in granting amnesty to individuals (Article VII, Section 19).

Congress can also convert into a constituent assembly and propose charter change which must be approved by the people in a plebiscite. It can also call for a constitutional convention that can propose constitutional amendments and major constitutional revision that can make us have a parliamentary form of government or transform the Philippine into a federal state.

President-elect Marcos is expected to have a super majority in both Houses of Congress. It can pass laws that it wants and probably enact charter change as well.

One can only hope that these will all be done in accordance with national interest and not that of the ruling family and its allies.

Website: tonylavina.com Facebook page: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Tags: Alexander GesmundoMarvic LeonenRodrigo DuterteSupreme Court
ADVERTISEMENT
Tony La Viña

Tony La Viña

Related Posts

Need for more boosters

byManila Standard
August 10, 2022, 12:15 am
0
133
Need for more boosters

With the forthcoming resumption of in-person classes later this month and the reopening of the domestic economy, it is expedient...

Read more

Let the ICC investigate the drug war killings

byErnesto M. Hilario
August 10, 2022, 12:10 am
0
152
A new deal for OFWs

"Where there’s been a crime, there should be punishment. But the apparent move to keep the withdrawal from the ICC...

Read more

MVP turns 76, holds high hopes

byTony Lopez
August 10, 2022, 12:05 am
0
142
UnionBank buys Citibank’s local business

"PLDT is the dominant integrated telecommunications and digital services provider in the Philippines with the largest fixed broadband network and...

Read more

As Beijing rages over Taiwan, mood on China’s streets muted

byAFP
August 10, 2022, 12:00 am
0
145
Nullity of marriage: a defense in bigamy cases

"China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day take it, by force if necessary,...

Read more

Friend to all, enemy to none

byManila Standard
August 9, 2022, 12:15 am
0
250
Friend to all, enemy to none

From where we are, we watch with disquietude the Chinese military live-fire drills around Taiwan are continuing Monday, a day...

Read more

Appeal to BBM and Acuzar

byEmil Jurado
August 9, 2022, 12:10 am
0
651
Denying Villafuerte justice

The appointment of businessman Jose “Jerry” Acuzar, owner of San Jose Builders Inc., by President Marcos as the country’s “Housing...

Read more

Stories you may like

  • Zubiri new Senate President, vows to uphold chamber’s independence

    Marcos sees stronger PH-India relations

    5724 shares
    Share 2290 Tweet 1431
  • Showbiz icon Cherie Gil dies at 59

    2610 shares
    Share 1044 Tweet 653
  • Replevin and its common law origins

    1253 shares
    Share 501 Tweet 313
  • Fuel rollback next week, power rate cut in August

    1170 shares
    Share 468 Tweet 293
  • Getting into character: How the cast of ‘Maid in Malacañang’ prepared for their roles

    2755 shares
    Share 1102 Tweet 689

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • FBI raid on Trump’s Florida home sparks political firestorm
  • UK meteorologists, water firms issue warnings as extreme heatwave looms
  • WHO decries Brazil monkey attacks over pox fears
  • Sneakers for Makati : AB4.0
  • WHO to replace expiring vax
  • FVR laid to rest in somber state funeral
  • Government eyes jab vs. monkeypox with ASEAN
  • House forms special panel on nuke energy

Advertisement

Latest News

FVR laid to rest in somber state funeral

byAFPand2 others
August 10, 2022, 1:50 am
0
149
FVR laid to rest in somber state funeral

Former president Fidel Ramos, a soldier regarded as one of the country’s most effective leaders, was interred at the National...

Read more

Government eyes jab vs. monkeypox with ASEAN

byManila Standard
August 10, 2022, 1:40 am
0
147
Monkeypox can be stopped outside endemic countries: WHO

The Philippines is now in talks with other member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the procurement of...

Read more

House forms special panel on nuke energy

byMaricel Cruzand2 others
August 10, 2022, 1:30 am
0
161
House caps busy 2021 with P5-trillion budget, vows ‘more fruitful’ 2022 to fight COVID

The House of Representatives has created the Special Committee on Nuclear Energy to be headed by Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco....

Read more

Azurin shuffles ranking police officials to allow career growth

byManila Standard
August 10, 2022, 1:10 am
0
174
Vax wastage, infection surge feared in Odette-hit areas

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has ordered a sweeping reshuffle involving almost 80 ranking police officials, including...

Read more

‘Writ of Amparo protection vs. law enforcers’ abuse’

byRey E. Requejo
August 10, 2022, 1:00 am
0
153
Vax wastage, infection surge feared in Odette-hit areas

The Supreme Court has declared that guaranteed rights to life, liberty, and security cannot be disregarded or trampled upon by...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App