Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Division of Batangas
San Juan East District
LAIYA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Laiya Ibabao, San Juan, Batangas
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Name of Student: _________________________________

Grade/Section: ___________________________________

POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

LESSON 3-4:
Functions of Legislative Branch
Functions of the Judicial Branch

Prepared by:

JULIET J. SILANG
Subject Teacher

Name: ___________________________________ Course Title: PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

Grade/Strand/Section: ______________________ Date: _______________________
PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 1
Module No. ___
 START OF ACTIVITY SHEETS

LESSON 3: FUNCTIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives;
2. assess the performance of the Philippine Congress;
3. discuss the impact the Congress’s performance on Philippine development; and
4. articulate a position or advocacy to a Philippine legislator through a formal correspondence.

I.INTRODUCTION

A. What I Need To Know?

This lesson gives the functions of the legislative branch and the
process of making laws. The legislative branch of the government,
where laws are enacted, consists of the Senate (upper house) and
the House of Representatives (lower house).

B. What’s New?

“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous

the laws.”
-Tacitus

The students are encouraged to make their own advocacy and

propose laws to their legislators. Proposing legislation is basically

one of the ways by which people can participate in the political process and governance in the country.

II. DEVELOPMENT

A. What I know?
Who among the following candidates is qualified to run as a president of the Philippines? Justify your choice
using the concepts you have learned from the previous lesson.

1. Jerick Babaril: PhD in Business Adminisration, 35yeras old, with political experience as a local executive.
2. Oliver Tall: naturalized Filipino (originally a German), 50 years old, Harvard graduate.
3. Genesis Naliko: registered voter, 41 years old, high school graduate
4. Dandan Pito: 55 years old, natural-born Filipino, former president of the Philippines

B. What’s in?
Underline the correct word/phrase for each blank to complete the paragraph.

The Congress of the Philippines is composed of the (Senate, Department of Justice) and the (Municipality,
House of Representatives). The main function of the Congress is to (make laws, interpret the existing laws).

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 2

A (bill, resolution) is a draft of law presented to a legislature for enactment. A (bill, resolution), on the other hand, is
presented to convey the sentiments of the Congress.

C. What is it?

The legislative power of the government is vested upon the Congress of the
Philippines in accordance with the 1987 Constitution. The Congress is divided into
two chambers: The House of Representatives (lower house) and the Senate of the
Philippines (upper house).

The senate of the Philippines is composed of 24 senators elected at large while the House of Representatives
is composed of not more than 250 member, 20% of which is composed of party-list representatives. A qualified
candidate for both the Senate and the House of Representatives must be natural-born citizen of the Philippines, able to
read and write, and a registered voter. The difference is that the Senate requires that the person must be at least 35
years old and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years before Election Day. On the other hand, a
candidate for the House needs to be at least 25 years old and a resident of the Philippines for at least one year in the
district where he/she will be elected (except for party-list representatives).

The term of office for the elected senators and representatives starts at noon of 30 th day of June following their
election. The senators will serve for six years and shall not serve for more than consecutives terms. The representatives,
also known as congressmen/women, serve for three years and shall not hold office for more than three consecutive
terms. In case of vacancy in the Congress, under Section 9 of Article VI, special maybe called to fill such vacancy in the
manner prescribed by law, but the senator of the Member of the House of Representatives thus elected shall serve only
for the unexpired term.

The primary function of the legislatives branch is the creation, enactment, and amendments of laws. Proposed
laws may come from the senators or representatives themselves, the people they represent (district, province, or the
party), or the two branches of the government. These proposals are drafted into a bill.

A bill is a draft of law presented to legislation for enactment, by the approval by Congress and the president of
the Republic.

The basic process for the creation or amendment of a law begins with a bill drafted by a senator or
representative and filed for the first reading. The first reading is where the Senate President or the Speaker of the House
reads out the title, bill number, and author’s name, and then assigns the bill to the proper Senate or House Committee.

The author(s) or the concerned committee will send out an invitation to various concerned parties, agencies,
and stakeholders for a public hearing of the bill to review the proposed bill and give their comments during the
deliberations. The concerned committee can hold a technical working group meeting for specific changes to the
provisions such as a proper concepts, correction of grammar, and deletion or addition of certain phrases or words.

After the approval of the bill by the committee members, a committee report is then filed with its approved
version of the bill to the Committee on Rules for the second reading. In the second reading, the author of the bill or the
chairperson of the committee delivers a sponsorship speech. It is followed by a period of interpellation wherein other
senators or the representatives may debate or ask further questions to the sponsor of the bill. After the interpellation,
the senators or representatives may make some amendments.

In reviewing a bill, there are some things to consider:

1. Does the bill conform to the provisions of the Constitution?
2. What is the main issue that the bill is trying to address?

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 3

 3. What are the methods that the bill is trying to propose in order to answer the issue?
4. Are there alternative means to address the issue?
5. Who will benefit from the bill if it is enacted into law? How will the benefits be given? Will this create further
problems?
6. Is there sufficient fund for the law? Where will the government get the fund needed to enforce the law?

The representatives or the senators again vote for the passage of the bill on second reading. “As a general rule, a
bill must pass both the Senate of the House” (Defensor-Santiago 2002). Note that two versions of a bill are
processed simultaneously in both chambers. The final version of the approved bill by both chambers is then printed
for approval. Or if there are disagreements between the two chambers on the final version of the bill, a Bicameral
Conference Committee is created to make the necessary changes before printing out the final version of the bill.
Another period of interpellation follows after which the senators or the representatives vote for the third reading of
the bill. Upon the last reading a bill, no amendment shall be allowed.

Upon approval of the final version of the bill by both chambers, the Senate President and the Speaker of the
House shall sign the final copy now known as the enrolled bill and send it to the president or approval and signature.
The bill becomes a law upon the signing of the president. In case of objection from the president, the enrolled bill is
vetoed and return to the House where the bill is originated. If the House of Representatives or the Senate still
reconsiders the bill, at least two-thirds of all the members of the House shall vote for the bill to become a law.
Failure by the president to act on the enrolled bill within 30 days upon his or her receipt, the bill becomes a law as if
the president has signed it.

Other than a bill, each House can make resolutions. A resolution “conveys principles and sentiments of the
members of the Senate or the House of Representative.” There are three different types of resolution:

1. Joint resolutions – require the approval of both chambers of Congress and the signature of the president, and
have the force and effect of a law if approved.

2. Current resolutions – used for matters affecting the resolutions of both chambers of Congress and must be
approved in the same form by both houses, but are not transmitted to the president his/her signature and
therefore have no force and effect of a law.

3. Simple resolutions – deal with matters entirely within the prerogative of one chamber of Congress; are not
referred to the president for his/her signature and therefore have no force and effect of a law.

III. ENGAGEMENT

A. What’s more?
I. Answer the following questions on your answer sheets.

1. What is more beneficial for a democratic country, to vote for a representative or to allow the people to do
the processes of legislation? Explain your answer.
2. Do you think laws in our country are not properly enforced? Explain your answer.
3. With the current set-up of legislation, what do you propose that members of Congress must do to represent
or serve their constituents better?

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 4

B. What I can do?
I. Think of current problems or issues in your community. Make a proposal for a law that may address
the problem. Follow the format of a house bill (see your saved photo or document of bill from the
previous activity). Provide short bond paper for this activity.

II. Cite three things that made him a notable person in history and politics.

1. _______________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________

HO CHI MINH

A. What other enrichment activities can I engage in (additional activities)?

Visit the website of either the House of Representatives or the Senate of the Philippines. Choose a bill on their
sites. Save or download the bill, you may want to have a screenshot of this bill to be used for the next activity.
Study the bill and prepare your comments in the following format:

(Ma’am, baka pwedeng paliitin na natin ito?)

Name:______________________________
Grade and Section:____________________
School:_____________________________
Bill Number and Title:____________________________________________
Author(s):______________________________________________________
Introduction: (short introduction on the purpose of the bill)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
General Comment: (your opinion of the bill in general)

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 5

 ________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Specific Comment: (comments on provisions like what should be added or deleted in the bill,
errors in language, if any, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

IV. ASSIMILATION
A. What I have learned?
Summarize what you have learned in this lesson in three to five sentences. Provide two or three sentences
for your opinion on the Philippine legislature.

B. What I can do (Assessment)?

Suppose you are a Legislative Liaison Specialist of the Congress. You are being interviewed by a journalist for a
documentary on the functions of the Philippine Congress. Answer the following questions of the journalist on
the space provided.

Journalist: Describe briefly the function of the Congress.

1. Specialist:______________________________________________________________

Journalist: What is the process of making law?

2. Specialist:________________________________________________________________________________

Journalist: What is the difference between a bill and a resolution?

3. Specialist:________________________________________________________________________________

Journalist: What happens if the president does not approve a bill submitted to him/her by Congress?
4. Specialist:________________________________________________________________________________

Journalist: Can the bill be enacted even without the signature of the president? How?
5. Specialist:________________________________________________________________________________

Journalist: As an ordinary citizen, how can I propose a bill to the Congress?

6. Specialist:________________________________________________________________________________

Journalist: What are the possible reasons for the shelving of a bill?
7. Specialist:________________________________________________________________________________

Journalist: What are the differences and similarities between a senator and a representative?
8. Specialist:________________________________________________________________________________

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 6

 Journalist: If you would rate the performance of the current Congress from 1-10 with 10 as the highest, what
would your rating be? Why?
9. Specialist:________________________________________________________________________________

Journalist: Any tip for those who want to be a lawmaker?

10. Specialist:________________________________________________________________________________
REFLECTION:
I understand that
______________________________________________
_____________________________________________.

I realize that
______________________________________________
______________________________________________.

-END OF ACTIVITY SHEETS-

Reference:
Pawilen, R.A. 2017 and Pawilen, Reidan M. 2017. Philippine Politics and Governance (First Edition).
Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.
www.google.com

<<Ma’am, parang wala dito ‘yung gagawa sila ng letter for a representative as stated in your objectives?>>

Name: ___________________________________ Course Title: PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

Grade/Strand/Section: ______________________ Date: _______________________
Module No. ___

START OF LESSON

LESSON 4: FUNCTIONS OF JUDICIAL BRANCH

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the functions of the Philippine judiciary;
2. discuss how the judiciary exercises political neutrality and fairness; and
3. discuss the performance of the Philippine judiciary as a dispenser of justice and a protector of
constitutional rights and freedom.

I.INTRODUCTION

C. What I Need To Know?

This lesson delves into the process by which legal issues are
resolved. This gives the students insights that will guide them in
their decision-making not only on matters regarding politics but
also on everyday concerns.

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 7

 D. What’s New?

“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no
matter who it is for or against.”
-Malcolm X

The legislature makes the law, while the executive branch

enforces it. On the other hand, the judiciary or the judicial branch of the government gives the official and legal
interpretation of the law. This is to avoid any confusion about the meaning or application of the law.

II. DEVELOPMENT

D. What I know?
Identify the following items. Rearrange the jumbled letters to come up with the correct answer. Write your
answer on the blank before each number.
______________1. The court that handles graft and corruption cases of government and employees.
(NASANYDIABNGA)
_______________2. This person appoints the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (TEENSIRPD)
_______________3. This court handles the appointment of judges to various lower courts. (PERMESO TURCO)
_______________4. This court reviews decisions and orders of the Regional Trial Courts. (TURCO FO PAEPALS)
_______________5. The establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law, which the judicial
branch tries to provide the people.

E. What is it?
The judicial branch of the government is the primary agency that handles matters concerning
the settlement of issues regarding the rights and interpretation of law.
The power of the judiciary rests on the Supreme Court and the lower courts, which
include the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, down to the regional Trial Court, the
Metropolitan Trial Court, and Municipal Trial Court. The 1987 Constitution defines judicial
power as follows:

Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally
demandable and enforceable, and to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to
lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.

This means that the judicial part of the government not only rules on legal issues but also on the other two
branches “whenever the court finds that the other department has committed grave
abuse of discretion.” (Defensor-Santiago 2002).

Some of the functions of the Supreme Court under the 1987 Constitutions are
as follows:

4. It primarily handles the cases of ambassadors, other public ministers,

and consuls.
5. Review, affirm, reverse, or amend the decision of lower courts on
certain cases
6. Appointments of judges, officials, and employees of the Judiciary

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 8

 7. Create and disseminate rules and procedures concerning the processes in legal courts as well as the
membership to the Bar.

The Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices appointed by the president from a
list of qualifiers from the screening process done by the Judicial and Bar Council.

The Court of Appeals, focuses on reviewing and resolving appeals of decisions. It is composed of one Presiding
Justice and five Associate Justices. While lower courts such as city and municipal courts have original jurisdiction over
cases.

III. ENGAGEMENT
C. What’s more?
I. Answer the following questions on your answer sheets.

1. What do you think is the greatest factor that can delay the resolution of cases in the Philippine courts?

2. Why is due process important?

3. What is your concept of justice? Will it work in our present legal system? Why or why not?

D. What I can do?

1. Make a flow chart of how legal complaints are addressed by the judicial branch. Briefly describe each stage of
the resolution process.

2. Write the different courts of the judicial branch from the highest to the lowest and give a brief description of
their functions.

C. What other enrichment activities can I engage in (additional activities)?

I. Cite three things that made him a notable person in history and politics.

4. _______________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________

6. _______________________________________________________

MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO

II. Research two methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Give the advantages and disadvantages of each
method. Discuss how each method can help in addressing the various complaints handled by the judiciary.

Background:

There are actually other means to resolve complains in a faster, although informal, manner. These are
called Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods under the Republic Act 9285 or the Alternative Dispute
Resolution Act of 2004. The law allows the used of the ADR in the regular legal
PHILIPPINE courts
POLITICS and other
AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 9
administrative agencies.
IV. ASSIMILATION
C. What I have learned?
Summarize what you have learned in this lesson in three to five sentences. Provide two or three sentences
for your opinion on the Philippine legislature.

REFLECTION:
I understand that
______________________________________________
_____________________________________________.

I realize that
______________________________________________
______________________________________________.

NAME:________________________________________________
-END OF ACTIVITY SHEETS-

Reference:
Pawilen, R.A. 2017 and Pawilen, Reidan M. 2017. Philippine Politics and Governance (First Edition).
Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.
www.google.com

Prepared by: Checked for Language:

JULIET J. SILANG MELVIN L. VIA Ñ A

Teacher III Teacher III

Checked for Content:

MAY S. BUELA
Teacher II

Noted by:

CRIZA JEAN L. SULIT

MT1

Approved by:
PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 10
JOSEPHINE D. ROSALES, Ph.D.
Principal III

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVRNANCE I JULIET SILANG 11