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ARTICLE VI THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Sec. 1. The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of
the Philippines,
which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives,
except to the
extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and
referendum.
Definition of Legislative Power:
The authority to make laws and to alter or repeal them.
Classification of legislative power: (O De CO)
1. Original Possessed by the people in their sovereign
capacity
2. Delegated Possessed by Congress and other legislative bodies
by virtue of the
Constitution
3. Constituent The power to amend or revise the Constitution
4. Ordinary The power to pass ordinary laws
Note:
The original legislative power of the people is exercised via
initiative and
referendum. In this manner, people can directly propose and
enact laws, or approve or
reject any act or law passed by Congress or a local government
unit.
Limits on the legislative power of Congress:
1. Substantive limitations on the content of laws. E.g. no law
shall be passed
establishing a state religion.
1. Procedural limitations on the manner of passing laws. E.g.
generally a bill must
go through three readings on three separate days.
Note:
Provided that these two limitations are not exceeded, Congress
legislative power is
plenary.
Corollaries of legislative power:
1. Congress cannot pass irrepealable laws. Since Congress powers
are plenary, and
limited only by the Constitution, any attempt to limit the
powers of future
Congresses via an irrepealable law is not allowed.
1. Congress, as a general rule, cannot delegate its legislative
power. Since the people
have already delegated legislative power to Congress, the latter
cannot delegate it
any further.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Delegation of legislative power to local government
units;
2. Instances when the Constitution itself allows for such
delegation [see Art. VI Sec.
23(2)]
What may Congress delegate:
Congress can only delegate, usually to administrative agencies,
RULE-MAKING POWER
or LAW EXECUTION. This involves either of two tasks for the
administrative agencies:
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1. Filling up the details on an otherwise complete statute;
or
2. Ascertaining the facts necessary to bring a contingent law or
provision into
actual operation.
Sections 2-4. SENATE
Composition
24 senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified
voters of the Philippines, as
may be provided by law.
Qualifications
1. Natural-born citizen;
2. At least 35 years old on the day of election;
3. Able to read and write;
4. A registered voter; and
5. Philippine resident for at least 2 years immediately
preceding the day of the
election.
Note: The qualifications of both Senators and Members of the
House are limited to
those provided by the Constitution. Congress cannot, by law, add
or subtract from
these qualifications.
Term of Office:
6 years, commencing (unless otherwise provided by law) at noon,
30 June next
following their election.
Term Limitations:
1. No Senator shall serve for more than 2 consecutive terms.
2. Voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time shall
not be considered as
an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full
term for which he was
elected.
Sections 5-7. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Composition:
1. Not more than 25 members, unless otherwise fixed by law;
and
2. Party-list Representative
Election of 250 members
1. They shall be elected from legislative districts apportioned
among the provinces,
cities and the Metropolitan Manila area.
2. Legislative districts are apportioned in accordance with the
number of
inhabitants of each area and on the basis of a uniform and
progressive ratio.
1. Each district shall comprise, as far as practicable,
contiguous, compact and
adjacent territory;
2. Each city with at least 250,000 inhabitants will be entitled
to at least one
representative.
3. Each province will have at least one representative.
4. Legislative districts shall be re-apportioned by Congress
within 3 years after the
return of each census. According to Jack, however, while the
apportionment of
districts is NOT a political question, the judiciary CANNOT
compel Congress to do
this.
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5. The standards used to determine the apportionment of
legislative districts is
meant to prevent gerrymandering, which is the formation of a
legislative district
out of separate territories so as to favor a particular
candidate or party.
Qualifications
1. Natural born citizen of the Philippines;
2. At least 25 years old on the day of the election;
3. Able to read and write;
4. Registered voter in the district he seeks to represent;
and
5. A resident of such district for at least one year immediately
preceding the day of
the election.
Term of Office
1. Each member of the House shall be elected for a term of three
(3) years which
shall commence (unless otherwise provided for by law) at noon on
30 June next
following their election.
2. Voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time shall
not be considered as
an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full
term for which he was
elected.
Term Limitations
No member of the House of Representatives shall serve for more
than three (3)
consecutive terms.
Distinctions between Term and Tenure
1. Definition
1. Terms means the period during which the elected officer is
legally authorized to
assume his office and exercise the powers thereof.
2. Tenure is the actual period during which such officer
actually holds his position.
1. Limitation/Possible Reduction
1. Term CANNOT be reduced.
2. Tenure MAY, by law, be limited. Thus, a provision which
considers an
elective office automatically vacated when the holder thereof
files a
certificate of candidacy for another elective office (except
President and
Vice-President) is valid, as it only affects the officers tenure
and NOT his
constitutional term.
Party-List Representatives
1. Constitute 20% of the total number of representatives,
including those under the
party-list system (thus a maximum of 50 party-list members of
the House)
1. However, for 3 consecutive terms from 2 February 1987 (i.e.,
the 1987-92, 92-95
and 95-98 terms), 25 seats shall be allotted to sectoral
representatives. Under
Art. XVIII, Sec. 7, the sectoral representatives are to be
appointed by the President
until legislation otherwise provides.
1. Mechanics of the party-list system:
1. Registered organizations submit a list of candidates in order
of priority.
2. During the elections, these organizations are voted for at
large.
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3. The number of seats that each organization gets out of the
20% allotted to
the system depends on the number of votes they get.
1. Qualifications
1. Natural born citizen of the Philippines
2. At least 25 years of age on the day of the election
3. Able to read and write
Sec. 9. In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House of
Representatives, a
special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the
manner prescribed by
law, but the Senator or Member of the House of Representatives
thus elected shall
serve only for the unexpired term.
Sec. 10. Salaries of Senators and Members of the House
Determination of Salaries:
Salaries of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives
shall be determined
by law.
Rule on increase in salaries:
No increase in their salaries shall take effect until after the
EXPIRATION OF THE FULL
TERM (NOT TENURE) OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE
OF
REPRESENTATIVES APPROVING SUCH INCREASE.
Note: Since the Constitution provides for rules on salaries and
not on emoluments,
our distinguished legislators can appropriate for themselves
other sums of money such
as travel allowances, as well as other side benefits.
Sec. 11: CONGRESSIONAL IMMUNITIES
1.) Immunity from arrest:
1. Legislators are privileged from arrest while Congress is in
session with respect
to offenses punishable by up to 6 years of imprisonment. Thus,
whether Congress
is in regular or special session, the immunity from arrest
applies.
2. If Congress is in recess, members thereof may be
arrested.
3. The immunity is only with respect to arrests and NOT to
prosecution for criminal
offenses.
2.) Legislative privilege:
1. No member shall be questioned or held liable in any forum
other than his/her
respective Congressional body for any debate or speech in the
Congress or in any
Committee thereof.
1. Limitation on the privilege:
(i) Protection is only against forum other than Congress itself.
Thus for
inflammatory remarks which are otherwise privileged, a member
may be sanctioned by
either the Senate or the House as the case may be.
(ii) The speech or debate must be made in performance of their
duties as
members of Congress. This includes speeches delivered,
statements made, votes cast,
as well as bills introduced, and other activities done in
performance of their official
duties.
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(iii) Congress need NOT be in session when the utterance is
made, as long as it
forms part of legislative action, i.e. part of the deliberative
and communicative process
used to participate in legislative proceedings in consideration
of proposed legislation or
with respect to other matters with Congress jurisdiction.
Sec. 12. All Members of the Senate and the House of
Representatives shall, upon
assumption of office, make a full disclosure of their financial
and business
interests. They shall notify the House concerned of a potential
conflict of interest
that may arise from the filing of a proposed legislation of
which they are authors.
Sec. 13-14: CONGRESSIONAL DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Disqualifications:
DISQUALIFICATION WHEN APPLICABLE 1. Senator/Member of the House
cannot hold any other office or employment in the Government or any
subdivision, agency or Instrumentality thereof, including GOCCS or
their subsidiaries.
During his term. If he does so, he forfeits his seat.
2. Legislators cannot be appointed to any office.
IF the office was created or the emoluments thereof increased
during the term for which he was elected.
3. Legislators cannot personally appear as counsel before any
court of justice, electoral tribunal, quasi-judicial and
administrative bodies.
During his term of office.
4. Legislators cannot be financially interested directly or
indirectly in any contract with or in any franchise, or special
privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency or
instrumentality thereof, including any
During his term of office.
GOCC or its subsidiary. 5. Legislators cannot intervene in any
matter before any office of the government.
When it is for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called
upon to act on account of his office.
Sec. 15: REGULAR AND SPECIAL SESSIONS
Regular Sessions:
1.) Congress convenes once every year on the 4th Monday of July
(unless otherwise
provided for by law)
2.) Continues in session for as long as it sees fit, until 30
days before the opening of the
next regular session, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
holidays.
Special Sessions:
Called by the President at any time when Congress is not in
session.
Sec. 16. Officers:
1.) Senate President;
2.) Speaker of the House; and
3.) Each House may choose such other officers as it may deem
necessary.
Election of Officers
By a majority vote of all respective members.
Quorum to do business:
1. Majority of each House shall constitute a quorum.
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2. A smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may compel
the attendance
of absent members.
3. In computing a quorum, members who are outside the country
and thus outside
of each Houses coercive jurisdiction are not included.
Internal Rules:
1. Each House shall determine its own procedural rules.
2. Since this is a power vested in Congress as part of its
inherent powers, under the
principle of separation of powers, the courts cannot intervene
in the
implementation of these rules insofar as they affect the members
of Congress.
3. Also, since Congress has the power to make these rules, it
also has the power to
ignore them when circumstances so require.
Discipline:
1.) Suspension
1. Concurrence of 2/3 of ALL its members and
2. Shall not exceed 60 days.
2.) Expulsion
1. Concurrence of 2/3 of ALL its members.
Congressional Journals and Records:
1.) The Journal is conclusive upon the courts.
2.) BUT an enrolled bill prevails over the contents of the
Journal.
3.) An enrolled bill is the official copy of approved
legislation and bears the
certifications of the presiding officers of each House. Thus
where the certifications are
valid and are not withdrawn, the contents of the enrolled bill
are conclusive upon the
courts as regards the provision of that particular bill.
Adjournments:
1.) Neither House can adjourn for more than 3 days during the
time Congress is in
session without the consent of the other House.
2.) Neither can they adjourn to any other place than that where
the two houses are
sitting, without the consent of the other.
Section 17: THE ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL
The Senate and the House shall each have an Electoral Tribunal
which shall be
composed of:
1. 3 Supreme Court Justices to be designated by the Chief
Justice; &
2. 6 Members of the Senate or House, as the case may be.
The senior Justice in the Electoral Tribunal shall be its
Chairman.
Note: The congressional members of the ETs shall be chosen on
the basis of
proportional representation from the political parties and
party-list organizations.
Jurisdiction:
1.) Each ET shall be the sole judge of all CONTESTS relating to
the election, returns,
and qualifications of their respective members. This includes
determining the validity
or invalidity of a proclamation declaring a particular candidate
as the winner.
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2.) An election contest is one where a defeated candidate
challenges the qualification
and claims for himself the seat of a proclaimed winner.
3.) In the absence of an election contest, the ET is without
jurisdiction. However, the
power of each House to expel its own members or even to defer
their oath-taking until
their qualifications are determined may still be exercised even
without an election
contest.
Issues regarding the Electoral Tribunals:
1.) Since the ETs are independent constitutional bodies,
independent even of the
House from which the members are respectively taken, neither
Congress nor the Courts
may interfere with procedural matters relating to the functions
of the ETs, such as the
setting of deadlines or filing their election contests with the
respective ETs.
2.) The ETs being independent bodies, its members may not be
arbitrarily removed
from their positions in the tribunal by the parties which they
represent. Neither may
they be removed for not voting according to party lines, since
they are acting
independently of Congress.
3.) The mere fact that the members of either the Senate or the
House sitting on the ET
are those which are sought to be disqualified due to the filing
of an election contest
against them does not warrant all of them from being
disqualified from sitting in the
ET. The Constitution is quite clear that the ET must act with
both members from the SC
and from the Senate or the House. If all the legislator-members
of the ET were to be
disqualified, the ET would not be able to fulfill its
constitutional functions.
4.) Judicial review of decisions of the ETs may be had with the
SC only insofar as the
decision or resolution was rendered without or in excess of
jurisdiction or with grave
abuse of discretion constituting denial of due process.
Section 18: THE COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS
Composition:
1.) Senate President as ex-officio chairman;
2.) 12 Senators; and
3.) 12 Members of the House.
Note: The 12 Senators and 12 Representatives are elected on the
basis of proportional
representation from the political parties and party-list
organizations.
Voting/Action
1.) The chairman shall only vote in case of a tie.
2.) The CA shall act on all appointments within 30 session days
from their submission
to Congress.
3.) The Commission shall rule by a majority vote of all the
Members.
Jurisdiction
1.) CA shall confirm the appointments by the President with
respect to the following
positions:
1. Heads of the Executive Departments (except if it is the
Vice-President who is
appointed to the post).
2. Ambassadors, other public ministers or consuls.
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3. Officers of the AFP from the rank of Colonel or Naval
Captain: and
4. Other officers whose appointments are vested in him by the
Constitution (e.g.
COMELEC members).
2.) Congress CANNOT by law prescribe that the appointment of a
person to an office
created by such law shall be subject to confirmation by the
CA.
3.) Appointments extended by the President to the
above-mentioned positions while
Congress is not in session shall only be effective until
disapproval by the CA or until the
next adjournment of Congress.
Meetings of the CA
1.) CA meets only while Congress is in session.
2.) Meetings are held either at the call of the Chairman or a
majority of all its
members.
3.) Since the CA is also an independent constitutional body, its
rules of procedure are
also outside the scope of congressional powers as well as that
of the judiciary.
Note: The ET and the CA shall be constituted within 30 days
after the Senate and the
House of Representative shall have been organized with the
election of the President
and the Speaker.
Sections 21-22: LEGISLATIVE INQUIRIES
Scope:
1. Either House or any of their committees may conduct inquires
in aid of
legislation.
2. In aid of legislation does not mean that there is pending
legislation regarding
the subject of the inquiry. In fact, investigation may be needed
for purposes of
proposing future legislation.
3. If the stated purpose of the investigation is to determine
the existence of
violations of the law, the investigation is no longer in aid of
legislation but in aid
of prosecution. This violates the principle of separation of
powers and is beyond
the scope of congressional powers.
Enforcement:
1. Since experience has shown that mere requests for information
does not usually
work, Congress has the inherent power to punish recalcitrant
witnesses for
contempt, and may have them incarcerated until such time that
they agree to
testify.
1. The continuance of such incarceration only subsists for the
lifetime, or term, of
such body. Once the body ceases to exist after its final
adjournment, the power to
incarcerate ceases to exist as well. Thus, each Congress of the
House lasts for
only 3 years. But if one is incarcerated by the Senate, it is
indefinite because the
Senate, with its staggered terms, is a continuing body.
1. BUT, in order for a witness to be subject to this
incarceration, the primary
requirement is that the inquiry is within the scope of Congress
powers. i.e. it is in
aid of legislation.
1. The materiality of a question is determined not by its
connection to any actually
pending legislation, but by its connection to the general scope
of the inquiry.
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1. The power to punish for contempt is inherent in Congress and
this power is sui
generis. It cannot be exercised by local government units unless
they are
expressly authorized to do so.
Limitations:
1. The inquiry must be conducted in accordance with the duly
published rules of
procedure of the House conducting the inquiry; and
1. The rights of persons appearing in or affected by such
inquiries shall be
respected. Ex. The right against self-incrimination.
Appearance by department heads before Congress:
1. Since members of the executive department are co-equals with
those of the
legislative department, under the principle of separations of
powers, department
heads cannot be compelled to appear before Congress. Neither may
the
department heads impose their appearance upon Congress.
1. Department heads may appear before Congress in the following
instances.
1. Upon their own initiative, with the consent of the President
(and that of the House
concerned); or
1. Upon the request of either House (which cannot compel them to
attend)
1. The appearance will be conducted in EXECUTIVE SESSION
when:
1. Required by the security of state or required by public
interest; and
2. When the President so states in writing
Sections 23-24. DECLARATION OF WAR/EMERGENCY POWERS
Vote requirement: (to declare the existence of a state of
war)
1. 2/3 of both Houses, in joint session
2. Voting separately
Emergency powers:
1. During times of war or other national emergency, Congress
may, BY LAW,
authorize the President to exercise powers necessary and proper
to carry out a
declared national policy.
1. Limitations:
1. Powers will be exercised for a limited period only; and
2. Powers will be subject to restrictions prescribed by
Congress
1. Expiration of emergency powers
1. By resolution of Congress or
2. Upon the next adjournment of Congress
Sections 24-27, 30-31 LEGISLATION
Bills that must originate from the House of Representatives
(Section 24)
CODE: A R T Pu Lo P
1. Appropriation bills
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2. Revenue bills
3. Tariff bills
4. Bills authorizing the increase of public debt
5. Bills of local application
6. Private bills
Note: The Senate may, however, propose or concur with
amendments.
Appropriation bills
1. The primary and specific aim of an appropriation bill is to
appropriate a sum of
money from the public treasury.
1. Thus, a bill enacting the budget is an appropriations
bill.
1. BUT: A bill creating a new office, and appropriating funds
therefor is NOT an
appropriation bill.
Revenue Bill
1. A revenue bill is one specifically designed to raise money or
revenue through
imposition or levy.
1. Thus, a bill introducing a new tax is a revenue bill, but a
provision in, for instance,
the Videogram Regulatory Board law imposing a tax on video
rentals does not
make the law a revenue bill.
Bills of local application
A bill of local application, such as one asking for the
conversion of a municipality into a
city, is deemed to have originated from the House provided that
the bill of the House
was filed prior to the filing of the bill in the Senate even if,
in the end, the Senate
approved its own version.
Limitations:
1. For appropriation bills:
1. Congress cannot increase the appropriations recommended by
the President for
the operation of the Government as specified in the budget.
1. Each provision or enactment in the General Appropriations
Bill must relate
specifically to some particular appropriation therein and any
such provision or
enactment must be limited in its operation to the appropriation
to which it
relates.
1. The procedure in approving appropriations for Congress shall
strictly follow the
procedure for approving appropriations for other departments and
agencies.
1. A special appropriations bill must specify the purpose for
which it is intended and
must be supported by funds actually available as certified by
the National
Treasurer or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposal
therein.
1. Transfer of appropriations:
1. Rule: No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of
appropriations
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2. BUT the following may, BY LAW, be authorized to AUGMENT any
item in the
general appropriations law for their respective offices from
savings in other items
of their respective appropriations
- President
- President of the Senate
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Chief of Justice of the Supreme Court
- Heads of the Constitutional Commissions
1. Discretionary funds appropriated for particular officials
shall be:
1. Disbursed only for public purposes;
2. Should be supported by appropriate vouchers; and
3. Subject to guidelines as may be prescribed by law.
1. If Congress fails to pass General Appropriations Bill (GAB)
by the end of any fiscal
year:
i. The GAB for the previous year is deemed reenacted
ii. It will remain in full force and effect until the GAB is
passed by Congress.
1. For law granting tax exemption
It should be passed with the concurrence of a MAJORITY of ALL
the members of
Congress.
1. For bills in general
1. Every bill shall embrace only one (1) subject, as expressed
in the title thereof
i. As a mandatory requirement
ii. The title does not have to be a complete catalogue of
everything stated in the
bill. It is sufficient if the title expresses the general
subject of the bill and all the
provisions of the statute are germane to that general
subject.
iii. A bill which repeals legislation regarding the subject
matter need not state in the
title that it is repealing the latter. Thus, a repealing clause
in the bill is considered
germane to the subject matter of the bill.
1. Readings
1. In order to become a law, each bill must pass three (3)
readings in both Houses.
2. General rule: Each reading shall be held on separate days
& printed copies thereof
in its final form shall be distributed to its Members three (3)
days before its
passage.
3. Exception: If a bill is certified as urgent by the President
as to the necessity of its
immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency, the
3 readings can
be held on the same day.
4. First reading only the title is read; the bill is passed to
the proper committee
Second reading Entire text is read and debates are held, and
amendments introduced.
Third reading only the title is read, no amendments are allowed.
Vote shall be taken
immediately thereafter and the yeas and nays entered in the
journal.
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Veto power of President:
1. Every bill, in order to become a law, must be presented to
and signed by the
President.
1. If the President does not approve of the bill, he shall veto
the same and return it
with his objections to the House from which it originated. The
House shall enter
the objections in the Journal and proceed to reconsider it.
1. The President must communicate his decision to veto within 30
days from the
date of receipt thereof. If he fails to do so, the bill shall
become a law as if he
signed it.
1. This rule eliminates the pocket veto whereby the President
would simply refuse
to act on the bill.
1. To OVERRIDE the veto, at least 2/3 of ALL the members of each
House must agree
to pass the bill. In such case, the veto is overriden and
becomes a law without
need of presidential approval.
1. Item veto
1. The President may veto particular items in an appropriation,
revenue or tariff bill.
1. This veto will not affect items to which he does not
object.
1. Definition of item
TYPE OF BILL ITEM
1. Revenue/tax bill Subject of the tax and the tax rate imposed
thereon
2. Appropriations bill Indivisible sum dedicated to a stated
purpose
1. Veto of RIDER
1. A rider is a provision which does not relate to a particular
appropriation stated in
the bill.
2. Since it is an invalid provision under Section 25(2), the
President may veto it as
an item.
Specific limitations on legislation
1. No law shall be enacted increasing the Supreme Courts
appellate jurisdiction
without the SCs advice and concurrence.
1. No law shall be enacted granting titles of royalty or
nobility.
Section 28. POWER TO TAX
Limitations:
1) The rule of taxation should be UNIFORM
2) It should be EQUITABLE
3) Congress should evolve a PROGRESSIVE system of taxation.
4) The power to tax must be exercised for a public purpose
because the power exists
for the general welfare
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5) The due process and equal protection clauses of the
Constitution should be
observed.
Delegation of power to fix rates
1) Congress may, BY LAW, authorize the President to fix the
following:
a) Tariff rates
b) Import and Export Quotas
c) Tonnage and wharfage dues
d) Other duties and imposts
Within the framework of the national development program of the
Government
2) The exercise of such power by the President shall be within
the specified limits
fixed by Congress and subject to such limitations and
restrictions as it may impose.
Constitutional tax exemptions:
1) The following properties are exempt from REAL PROPERTY
taxes
(CODE: Cha Chu M- CA)
a) Charitable institutions
b) Churches, and parsonages or convents appurtenant thereto
c) Mosques
d) Non-profit cemeteries; and
e) All lands, buildings and improvements actually, directly and
exclusively used for
religious, charitable, or educational purposes.
2) All revenues and assets of NON-STOCK NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL
institutions
are exempt from taxes and duties PROVIDED that such revenues and
assets are actually,
directly and exclusively used for educational purposes. (Art.
XIV Sec 4 (3))
3) Grants, endowments, donations or contributions used actually,
directly and
exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from tax.
This is subject to
conditions prescribed by law. (Art. XIV. Sec 4 (4))
Section 29. Power of the Purse
1) No money shall be paid out of the National Treasury EXCEPT in
pursuance of an
appropriation made by law.
a) This places the control of public funds in the hands of
Congress.
b) BUT: This rule does not prohibit continuing appropriations.
e.g. for debt
servicing. This is because the rule does not require yearly, or
annual appropriation.
2) Limitations.
a) Appropriations must be for a PUBLIC PURPOSE
b) Cannot appropriate public funds or property, directly or
indirectly, in favor of
(i) Any sect, church, denomination, or sectarian institution or
system of religion
or
(ii) Any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher
or dignitary as such.
EXCEPT if the priest, etc is assigned to:
- the Armed Forces; or
- any penal institution; or
-
- government orphanage; or
- leprosarium
c) BUT the government is not prohibited from appropriating money
for a valid
secular purpose, even if it incidentally benefits a religion,
e.g. appropriations for a
national police force is valid even if the police also protects
the safety of clergymen.
d) ALSO, the temporary use of public property for religious
purposes is valid, as long
as the property is available for all religions
3) Special Funds
a) Money collected on a tax levied for a special purpose shall
be treated as a special
fund and paid out for such purpose only.
b) Once the special purpose is fulfilled or abandoned, any
balance shall be
transferred to the general funds of the Government
Section 32. INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM
1) Through the system of initiative and referendum, the people
can directly propose
and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law or part
thereof passed by the
Congress or local legislative body.
2) Required Petition
a) Should be signed by at least 10% of the total number of
registered voters
b) Every legislative district should be represented by at least
3% of the registered
voters
c) Petition should be registered
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