Hon. Romualdez, Ferdinand Martin G.
House Speaker
19th Congress of the Philippines
HOUSE LEADERS INFORMATION
HOUSE LEADERS INFORMATION
On the fourth Monday of July of every year, the two Houses of Congress convene for their regular session. Signifying the start of another year of law making, the opening of Congress is an important event, marked by the President's State of the Nation Address.
The only officers of Congress required by the 1987 Constitution are the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Both the Senate President and the House Speaker are elected by a majority vote of all the members of their respective Houses. However, as provided in the Constitution, each House shall choose such other officers it may deem necessary for the proper operation of the institution. It is important to remember that Congress can only be properly organized once the officers for both houses have been chosen.
The only officers of Congress required by the 1987 Constitution are the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Both the Senate President and the House Speaker are elected by a majority vote of all the members of their respective Houses. However, as provided in the Constitution, each House shall choose such other officers it may deem necessary for the proper operation of the institution. It is important to remember that Congress can only be properly organized once the officers for both houses have been chosen.
THE PHILIPPINES' 1987 CONSTITUTION
The Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session, unless a different date is fixed by law, and shall continue to be in session for such number of days as it may determine until thirty days before the opening of its next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The President may call a special session at any time.
The Senate shall elect its President and the House of Representatives its Speaker, by a majority vote of all its respective members.
Each House shall choose such other officers as it may deem necessary.
THE SPEAKER, in the hierarchical order of political leadership, is the fourth highest official in the Philippine government. He presides over the session; decides on all questions of order, subject to appeal by any member; signs all acts, resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by or upon order of the House; appoints, suspends, dismisses or disciplines House personnel; and exercise administrative functions.
The Speaker is elected by a majority vote of all the Members at the commencement of each Congress.
The Speaker is elected by a majority vote of all the Members at the commencement of each Congress.
The Minority Leader is the acknowledged spokesman of the minority party in the House. But it does not necessarily follow that he is also the leader of the party because the minority party in the House may be composed of one or more political groupings.
Like the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader is elected in party caucus of all Members of the House in the minority party. He is an ex-officio member of all standing Committees.
Like the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader is elected in party caucus of all Members of the House in the minority party. He is an ex-officio member of all standing Committees.
 Hon. Libanan, Marcelino C. Partylist 4PS |
The Deputy Speakers of the Philippine House of Representatives are the second highest-ranking officials of the Philippine House of Representatives. During the absence of the House Speaker, one of the House Deputy Speakers will preside over the House of Representatives.
 Hon. Frasco, Vincent Franco "Duke" D. District Representative Cebu, 5th District |
 Hon. Gonzales, Aurelio "Dong" Jr. D. District Representative Pampanga, 3rd District |
 Hon. Macapagal-Arroyo, Gloria District Representative Pampanga, 2nd District |
 Hon. Mendoza, Raymond Democrito C. Partylist TUCP |
 Hon. Puno, Roberto V. District Representative Antipolo City, 1st District |
 Hon. Recto, Ralph G. District Representative Batangas, 6th District |
 Hon. Singson-Meehan, Kristine District Representative Ilocos Sur, 2nd District |
 Hon. Ungab, Isidro T. District Representative Davao City, 3rd District |
 Hon. Villar, Camille A. District Representative Las Piñas City, Lone District |
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Hon. Frasco, Vincent Franco "Duke" D. District Representative Cebu, 5th District |
Hon. Gonzales, Aurelio "Dong" Jr. D. District Representative Pampanga, 3rd District |
Hon. Macapagal-Arroyo, Gloria District Representative Pampanga, 2nd District |
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Hon. Mendoza, Raymond Democrito Partylist TUCP |
Hon. Puno, Roberto V. District Representative Antipolo City, 1st District |
Hon. Recto, Ralph G. District Representative Batangas, 6th District |
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Hon. Singson-Meehan, Kristine District Representative Ilocos Sur, 2nd District |
Hon. Ungab, Isidro T. District Representative Davao City, 3rd District |
Hon. Villar, Camille A. District Representative Las Piñas City, Lone District |
House Rules V: Section 17. Duties and Powers
The duties and powers of the Deputy Speakers are:
The duties and powers of the Deputy Speakers are:
- to assume the duties and powers of the Speaker when so chosen by a majority vote or by lot among themselves, as the case may be, in cases of absence or temporary incapacity of the Speaker, until such time that the Speaker returns to office and resumes work; and, in case of resignation, removal, permanent incapacity or death of the Speaker, until such time that a new Speaker is elected and qualified;
- to preside over the session when, even if present, the Speaker does not preside, or has not designated any other Member as temporary presiding officer; to monitor, coordinate and facilitate action on measures filed, requests, and other concerns of Members representing constituencies to which they may be assigned by the Speaker;
- to recommend to the Speaker appropriate policies, strategies and programs of action to improve the process of legislation and the quality of legislative measures, and to effectively address concerns of Members on matters affecting them, their constituencies, and the overall operations and integrity of the House;
- to appoint personnel of the House when so authorized by the Speaker; and
- to perform such other duties and functions as may be assigned or delegated to them by the Speaker.
The Majority Leader is elected in a party caucus of the majority ruling party. His primary function, aside from being the spokesman of the majority party, is to direct the deliberations on the floor.
In the present set-up of the House, the Majority Leader is concurrently the Chairman of the Committee on Rules. As such, all matters relevant to the Rules of the House, specifically the calendar of bills, preparation of Order of Business and Calendar of Business are within his responsibilities.
In the present set-up of the House, the Majority Leader is concurrently the Chairman of the Committee on Rules. As such, all matters relevant to the Rules of the House, specifically the calendar of bills, preparation of Order of Business and Calendar of Business are within his responsibilities.
 Hon. Dalipe, Manuel Jose M. District Representative Zamboanga City, 2nd District |