The Third Republic Of The Philippines 2v4y6s

Ching, Catherine 13, 2010 Dinaque, Keren A52 Espiritu, Nikka Guzman, Clarisse

October LEGISLA –

The Third Republic (1946-1972) HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION On April, 1946, elections were held in the Philippines. The Democratic Alliance won the election but they were not allowed to proceed to their seats for the accusation that the election was manipulated by the use of coercion. The United States ceased its sovereignty over the Philippines on July 4, 1946 by the power of the Treaty of General Relations signed by the US and the Philippines. Manuel Roxas (from the Liberal Party), having been inaugurated as President, and strengthened political and economic ties with the United States. The Philippines remained highly dependent on the US markets as evident in the controversial Philippine-US Trade Act. In March, 1947, the Philippines and the United States signed a military assistance pact which allowed the US to participate equally in the exploitation of the country's natural resources and rented sites for 23 military bases to the US for 99 years. World War II had left the Philippines demoralized and severely damaged. The seven congresses under the Third Republic were expected to play a significant role in uplifting the country from its unfortunate devastation and in strengthening the nation politically, economically, and even culturally as a newly-independent country. The congresses of the Third Republic were among the most influential legislatures in the Third World and exhibited significant performance in crafting rules and policies that served as the foundation of the Philippine rule-making body The Third Republic covered five Philippine presidents, excluding the tendentious dictator, Ferdinand Marcos whose ascension to the seat for presidency marked the end of the Third Republic. The first president of the newly-independent state was Manuel Roxas who ran as the nominee of the liberal wing of the Nacionalista Party. He won 54 percent of the vote and the Liberal Party won a majority in the legislature. He was able to get rehabilitation funds from the US and was forced to concede military bases. He imposed trade restrictions for the Philippine citizens and grant special privileges for foreign property owners and investors. His istration was accused of graft and corruption and the wrongdoings of the provincial military police led to the rise of the Huk rebellion. He died of heart attack which led to the succession of his vicepresident, Elpidio Quirino (LP) in office in 1948. The following year, he ran for presidency against Jose P. Laurel (NP) in which he won in a four-year term. The Quirino istration was highly characterized by the prevalence of communist HUKBALAHAP movement. In the election of 1953, Magsaysay won over the

incumbent Elpidio Quirino. Carlos P. Garcia was seated as president right after Magsaysay's death. His istration was famous for the “Filipino first” policy arguing that the Filipino people should be given the chances to improve the country's economy. His istration lost popularity because of issues of corruption. Diosdado Macapagal was the last president of the Third Republic whose foreign policy sought closer relations with neighboring Asian nations. It was in this istration that Independence Day was changed from July 4 to June 12 in commemoration of Emilio Aguinaldo's proclamation of independence in 1898. The second Congress of the Commonwealth was the existing congress when the Philippines was granted its independence. By the approval of Republic Act No. 6, this present congress was known as the First Congress of the Republic of the Philippines. REPUBLIC ACT No. 6 AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT AS OF THE DATE OF THE PROCLAMATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES THE PRESENT CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE FIRST CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Section 1. As of the date of the proclamation of the Republic of the Philippines on the fourth day of July, nineteen hundred and forty-six, the present Congress of the Philippines shall be known as the First Congress of the Republic of the Philippines. Sec. 2. All laws enacted by the said Congress on or after said date shall be serially numbered beginning with number one and shall be known as Republic Acts. Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect as of July four, nineteen hundred and forty-six. Approved, August 5, 1946. Throughout the transition of seven congresses during the entire period from 1946 to 1972, over 6,000 acts were ed into law. DYNAMICS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODY OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC The amendment of the 1935 Constitution, ed by Manuel Quezon, which took place in 1939 resulted to a shift from a unicameral model to a bicameral model of legislature. It separated the government into three branches namely: executive, legislative and judiciary. The system of checks and balances featured a bicameral legislature. It is composed of two Houses namely: 1. Lower House – composed of not more than 120 representatives elected by district according to population for a term of four years. As the population of the Philippines increased and the creation of, various attempts have been made to increase the size of the House of Representatives. One attempt was the Redistricting Bill of 1961 (RA 3040) which was ed by the Fourth Congress, but was later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

No person shall be a Member of the House of Representatives unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least twenty-five years of age, able to read and write, and, except the party-list representatives, a ed voter in the district in which he shall be elected, and a resident thereof for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the election. 2.

Upper House – composed of 24 senators elected at large by qualified voters. Each senator has a term of 6 years with 8 senators elected every 2 years.

No person shall be a Senator unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least thirty-five years of age, able to read and write, a ed voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election. (Section 3, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution) LIMITATIONS OF LEGISLATORS 1. Legislators are not allowed to hold any other office in the government concurrent with their term as elected legislators. If they prefer another job in government office, they must give up their seats in the legislature. 2. Legislators were also not allowed to have any financial interest in any contract with the government. 3. They are immune from arrest except in cases involving treason, felony and breaches of peace. 4. Legislators may enact laws but is limited with regards to laws which may possibly go against the freedom of the people. Laws which are explicitly biased (i.e. religion) are prohibited. 5. Legislators are not allowed to appropriate money to any religious group. 6. The legislature is not allowed to any law creating aristocracy and oligarchy. 7. The constitution also prohibited the Congress from ing any law which impaired the obligations imposed by contracts. 8. The Congress was prohibited from ing laws which made certain crimes punishable even if they were committed before the specific law punishing that crime was ed. CONGRESS'S LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUENT POWERS 1. The power to determine the character, structure or mode of operation of the government. A t session is assembled by the vote of all the of the Senate and the House of Representatives voting separately – they could propose amendments to the Constitution or call a convention for that purpose. These amendments were incorporated into the Constitution after the ratification by the people in an election. 2. The power of impeachment, the proceedings of which consist of:

(a)

Indictment: the impeachment of the accused by at least 2/3 vote of all the of the House of Representatives.

(b)

Trial of the accused by the Senate where conviction required at least ¾ vote of all the .

CONGRESS'S NON-LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUENT POWERS 1. The power to ratify treaties entered into by the executive – the concurrence of 2/3 of all the of the Senate was necessary before a treaty negotiated by the President or his representatives could have force and become part of the laws of the land. 2. The sole power to declare war. - Section 29, Artivle VI of the 1935 Constitution, Congress with the concurrence of 2/3 of all the of each House. 3. The power to upon the appointments made by the President. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES The Congress of the Philippines followed a certain schedule for the session of both houses. They commenced their regular sessions every fourth Monday of January, although this could be changed as Congress saw fit. Every Congress had four regular sessions lasting for 100 days, excluding Sundays. The continuity of the sessions could be broken for a time in agreement of both Houses. Special sessions could be called by the President before or after the regular session – could not be longer than 30 days exclusive of Sundays. COMMITTEES 1. Standing or permanent committees (i.e. s, Agriculture, Appropriations, Banks and Corporations, Civil Service, Codes, Commerce and Industry, Education) 2. Special temporary committees 3. t committees (i.e. t canvassing committees every election) 4. sub-committees – tasked to parcel the work of standing or special committees. ISSUES FACED BY THE CONGRESS During the First Republic, the Malolos constitution provided for a legislature stronger than the executive. Manuel Quezon tried to altered it to a system where the legislative body is subordinate to the executive. However, during the Third Republic, most of the of the legislature, and the elected presidents came from the same party – fostering cooperation in both branches of the government. This was not always the case for the reason that some personal reasons caused of the legislature to block the president's legislative agenda. The last three congresses of the Third Republic wound up with a president at odds with the majority in Congress. Party politics was also very rampant during the era of the Third Republic. The Liberal Party was born in this era when Manuel Roxas ran for president. The Third Republic was pretty much characterized by an arch rivalry between the Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party. A two-party system was in effect although both parties, NP and LP had similar platforms which are antiCommunist. These parties became machines for elections rather than ing specific policies or stands on issues. First Congress (1946-1949) Since the Philippines was just starting to recover from the devastation of World War II, relief and rehabilitation were the primary issues. The government was

also dealing with the domestic insurgency of the Huks who were asking for social justice. Many prewar legislators were jailed and accused of collaboration with the Japanese, thus reducing the number of skilled legislators who could serve the First Congress. One significant legislation during the First Congress was the Bell Trade Act, linked with the Tydings Rehabilitation Act which needed constitutional amendment which would grant the Americans the same rights to exploit Philippine natural resources. Another was the Military Bases Agreement which leased Philippine bases to the Americans. The first post-war election took place on April 23, 1946. The Liberal Party fielded Manuel Roxas (for president) and Elpidio Quirino (for vice-president) to go against Nacionalista Party's Sergio Osmeña (for president). Aside from the candidates fielded by both parties for the Congress, the Democratic Alliance – which was ed by the Huks and the Popular Front ran for seats in the Congress. Manuel Roxas won the position for presidency and the Liberal party dominated the Congress. The decline of the First Congress was brought about internal party politics. The Nacionalist Party spoke out against Roxas (a member of the Liberal Party) and accused him of setting up a dictatorship. There were also issues of corruption in his istration and not geared towards service for the people. Roxas died in 1948 and his vice president, Elpidio Quirino took over.

OF THE CONGRESS SENATE President of the Senate: Jose D. Avelino (LP) Mariano Jesus L. Cuenco (LP), elected February 21, 1949 Senate President ProMelecio Arranz (LP) Tempore: Majority Floor Leader: Tomas L. Cabili (LP) Minority Floor Leader: Carlos P. Garcia (NP) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Speaker: Eugenio P. Perez (LP, 2nd District Pangasinan) Speaker Pro-Tempore: Francisco Ortega (LP, 1st District La Union) Majority Floor Leader: Raul Leuterio (LP, Lone District Mindoro) Minority Floor Leader: Cipriano P. Primicias, Sr. (NP, 4th District Pangasinan) SESSIONS The First Congress of the Philippines First Regular Session: July 5 to September 18, 1946 First Special Session: September 25 to September 30. 1946 Second Regular Session: January 27 to May 22, 1947 Third Regular Session: January 26 to May 20, 1948 Second Special Session: June 14 to June 26, 1948 Fourth Regular Session: January 24 to May 19, 1949 Special t Session: December 13, 1949 LEGISLATION

421 laws ed: Republic Act No. 1 to 421 SOME IMPORTANT LAWS ED DURING THE FIRST CONGRESS REPUBLIC ACT

DESCRIPTION

RA No. 1

An act of appropriating funds for the operation of the government.

RA No. 2

An act of appropriating fifty thousand pesos to defray the expenses of a state funeral for Manuel Quezon and for the erection of a mausoleum.

RA No. 3

Allowed the continuation of the Philippine Tariff Law of 1909

RA No. 5

The establishment of the National Coconut Corporation.

RA No. 7

An act to establish the foreign funds control office and for other purposes.

RA No. 9

Republic of the Philippines Military Assistance Act

RA No. 10

An act penalizing usurpation of public authority

RA No. 11

Act to prohibit the slaughtering of male and female carabaos, horses, mares and cows.

RA No. 16

An act authorizing the president of the Philippines to obtain such loans or incur indebtedness with the government of the United States and its agencies.

RA No. 65

Created Veterans Board in the Dept. of National Defense

RA No. 71

An act requiring price tags or labels to be affixed on all articles of commerce offered for sale.

RA No. 73

An act to submit to the Filipino people, for approval or disapproval, the amendment to the Constitution of the Philippines.

RA No. 85

Rehabilitation Finance Corporation

RA No. 115

Reforestation of parts of the Philippines

RA No. 265

Created Central Bank

RA No. 296

Systematized the judiciary (Judiciary Act of 1948)

RA No. 311

Abolished the People's Court

RA No. 330

Authorized the president of the Philippines to establish a system of import controls

RA No. 337

Regulation of banks

RA No. 343

Required the teaching of Spanish language in

high school. Market Stalls Act of 1946

Nationalized retail trade in markets by granting Filipino citizens preference in leasing public market stalls.

Second Congress (1950-1953) The elections held on November 8,1949, during the Second Congress was said to be fraudulent. Quirino was proclaimed president, Fernando Lopez as the Vice president by the outgoing Congress. The person who was handling the Senate president kept on being changed. From Jose Avelino who was replaced after 17 days to Quintin Paredes, to Osias who was then replaced by Jose Zulueta also in 1952. In 1953, Osias became SP as again who was then replaced by Jose Zulueta. Paredes became the pro tempore chair but he was also replaced by Esteban Abada. Abada was replaced by Manuel C. Briones, and then Briones by Jose C. Zulueta. Domingo Veloso was speaker pro tempore, Eugenio Perez was speaker of the lower house while Raul Centeno was majority floor leader, Jose Laurel Jr. was the minority floor leader. Quirino’s party, the Liberal Party was able to grab the 8 seats which were open in the Senate, they were also able to win 68 out of 102 seats in the House of Representatives. The legitimacy of Quirino istration was slowly declining due to the previously held elections which was said to be dirty. So in 1951, National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) was created by the citizens and was assigned to look after the ballots. Here the Nacionalista candidates won all the eight available seats for senator.

Senate President of the Senate: Mariano Jesus L. Cuenco (LP) Quintin B. Paredes (LP), elected March 5, 1952 Camilo O. Osias (NP), elected April 17, 1952 Eulogio A. Rodriguez, Sr. (NP), elected April 30, 1952 Camilo O. Osias (NP), elected April 17, 1953 Jose C. Zulueta (NP), elected April 30, 1953 Eulogio A. Rodriguez, Sr. (NP), elected May 20, 1953 Senate President Pro-Tempore: Quintin B. Paredes (LP) Esteban R. Abada (LP), elected March 5, 1952 Manuel C. Briones (LP), elected May 7, 1952 Jose C. Zulueta (NP), elected April 17, 1953 Manuel C. Briones (LP), elected April 30, 1953 Majority Floor Leader: Raul Centeno (LP) Minority Floor Leader: Carlos P. Garcia (NP)

House of Representatives Speaker: Eugenio Perez (LP, 2nd District Pangasinan) Speaker Pro-Tempore: Domingo Veloso (LP, 2nd District La Union) Majority Floor Leader: Raúl Leuterio (LP, Lone District Oriental Mindoro) Minority Floor Leader: Jose B. Laurel, Jr. (NP, 3rd District Batangas) Sessions: First Special Session: December 30, 1949 – January 5, 1950 First Regular Session: January 23 – May 18, 1950  Second Special Session: August 1 – August 25, 1950  Third Special Session: December 4, 1950 – January 6, 1951  Fourth Special Session: January 8 – January 19, 1951 Second Regular Session: January 22 – May 17, 1951  Fifth Special Session: May 21 – May 29, 1951 Third Regular Session: January 28 – May 22, 1952  Sixth Special Session: June 23 – July 15, 1952  Seventh Special Session: November 4 – November 8, 1952 Fourth Regular Session: January 26, 1953 – May 21, 1953  t Session: December 8, 1953 

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Committees established: NAMFREL (created by the citizens) Cattle Industry Social and Agrarian Problems National Capital Town Planning CUFA Guerilla Affairs Blue Ribbon Committee

To guard ballots economy Consider setting up a new area at QC Creation of cities, municipalities and barrios Handle communism threats and radical groups such as the Huks Handle threats Investigate corruption

The Second congress successfully made 552 acts from 1950 until 1953. Most of these acts were geared towards the creation of public utilities, cities and municipalities as well as barrios. The second congress also amended some of the acts which were created by the First congress. Some of the important acts included: - R.A. 422 – authorization of the government for the reorganization of executive departments, bureaus and offices - R.A. 541 – increased the AFP to fight/control the Huks - R.A. 602 – Minimum Wage Law - R.A. 613 – Export Control Law - R.A. 634 - Filipino citizenship for Sen. Tydings and Mcduffe - R.A. 875 – Magna Carta of Labor (enabled workers to form unions)

The second congress also agreed to the sending of Philippine forces to Korea (PEFTOK) for the Korean War. Third Congress (1953-1957) Ramon Magsaysay, a former LP, became president of the Philippines after the November 11, 1953 elections. The NP became dominant both in the executive and the legislative branches. NAMFREL along with some pressure from the US, prevented the reoccurrence of dirty elections which happened in 1949.Magsaysay’s closeness with the US did not prevent him from being popular with the people, this is probably because his istration focused on socioeconomic reforms. Eulogio Rodriguez became the Senate president. Manuel Briones was president pro tempore while Jose Laurel Jr. was speaker of the house. Daniel Romualdez was speaker pro tempore. Arturo Tolentino became majority floor leader, while Eugenio Perez (the only one from LP) became minority floor leader. Aklan was established as a province in 1956 which added another member to the House of Representatives making it 103. The first regular session was held on January 25, 1954. The third congress made 1077 acts from 1954 until 1957.Most of them were about economic and social reforms. Committees were also established in order to further address socioeconomic problems. Senate President of the Senate: Eulogio A. Rodriguez, Sr. (NP) Senate President Pro-Tempore: Manuel C. Briones (NP) Majority Floor Leader: Cipriano P. Primicias, Sr. (NP) Minority Floor Leader: Lorenzo N. Tañada () House of Representatives Speaker: Jose B. Laurel, Jr. (NP, 3rd District Batangas) Speaker Pro-Tempore: Daniel Z. Romualdez (NP, 4th District Leyte) Majority Floor Leader: Arturo M. Tolentino (NP, 3rd District Manila) Minority Floor Leader: Eugenio Perez (LP, 2nd District Pangasinan) Sessions:  First Regular Session: January 25 – May 20, 1954  First Special Session: July 19 – August 3, 1954

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Second Regular Session: January 24 – May 19, 1955  Second Special Session: July 7 – August 10, 1955 Third Regular Session: January 23 – May 17, 1956  Third Special Session: June 21 – July 25, 1956 Fourth Regular Session: January 28, 1957 – May 23, 1957  t Session: December 10, 1957

Some committees which were established: Court of Agrarian Relations Abaca Corporation of the Philippines National Marketing Corporation Board of Travel and Tourist Industry National Civil defense istration Commission on National Integration Board of National Education Philippine Nuclear Energy Commission

Ensure justice in agrarian reforms Protect abaca farmers and workers Address problem of stabilizing prices Monitor tourists (foreign and local) Peace and order problems, and Huk uprisings Address problem of lack or representation of minority groups Monitor the status of national education in the country Monitor amount of nuclear energy, find new sources

Some of the important acts included: - R.A. 1130– Anti-dummy act (prevent foreigners from using Filipinos in avoiding Phil. laws) - R.A. 1294– Artisan Well act of 1955 - R.A. 1909 – Phil. Coastwide shipping act of 1956 - R.A. 1180 – Retail trade nationalization law (establishment of Filipino Retailers’ Fund) - R.A. 1700 – outlawed the Communist Party of the Phils. - R.A. 1792 – Social Security Act - Rizal Act – included studying of Noli Me tangere and El Filibusterismo in High school curriculum - R.A. 1789 – Reparations Act (national policy for procurement and utilization of war reparations from Japan) The congress did not really recognize Magsaysay as the president because of his switching of parties (From LP to NP) and because of his close ties with the US. This resulted to a conflict in the ing of bills. While Magsaysay wanted to focus on land reform, the congress targeted the discouragement of foreign investments by ing nationalization proposals. Fourth Congress (1958-1961) As the 1957 elections proclaimed Carlos P. Garcia as the 8 th president of the Philippines, the bicameral legislature continued its experimentation with the Philippine government. The fourth congress started in 1958 up until 1961. It was primarily led by senate president Eulogio A. Rodriguez Sr., the president pro tempore which would entail the replacement of the senate president role in case of absence, Manuel Briones. The majority floor leader is Cipriano P. Primicias Sr. All of which came from

the Nacionalista Party. Ferdinand Marcos, the minority leader, who was later replaces by Ambrosio Padilla are both from the Liberal Party. The lower house on the other hand has Daniel Romualdez from 4 th district Leyte as the House Speaker. The Speaker pro tempore, Constancio Castaneda of Tarlac’s second district, Jose Aldeguer of Iloilo as the majority leader and Cornelio Villareal as the minority leader. Among all the said leaders of the House of Representatives, only Villareal was a member of the Liberal Party, the rest were part of the Nacionalista Party. The domination of the Nacionalista Party is also very much evident on the of the senate themselves. Senators such as Oscar Ledesma, Arturo Tolentino, Gil Puyat, Claro M. Recto, Emmanuel Pelaez, Alejandro Almendras, Lorenzo Tanada (who’s actually a member of Nationalist-Citizen’s Party that’s slightly influenced by the NP) and many more. Out of 24 seats, 23 are of the Nacionalista Party. And Out of 103 seats from the lower house, 77 were of the NP. Also, during the 1959 senatorial elections, five seats were taken by the party . The Congress all in all, has produced 1,401 laws namely the Republic Acts 2050 to 3450. And that it was composed of four regular sessions, three special sessions, one informal meeting and one t session. Some of it are focused on the Filipino’s incentives to contribute to the economy. But what the laws focused upon is President Garcia’s “Filipino First Policy”. The legislature has ed this. One of its noted laws ed is the R.A. 2259, saying that it is an “Act making elective the offices of the mayor, vice-mayor and councilors in chartered cities, regulating the election in such cities and fixing the salaries and tenure of such offices.” The law basically eradicated the appointive means of selecting local leaders. But the law, at that time, did not apply to certain cities like Manila, Cavite, Trece Martires and Tagaytay. The bill was approved last June 19, 1959. In relation to this aspect, the RA 2264 allowed the reconstruction of the governance of the local governments through the grant of autonomy and therefore autonomous hold on finances. This act is called the Local Autonomy Act. Smaller units like the barrios were also given power with R.A.2370 called the Barrio Autonomy Act. Such are the political improvements made by the 4th legislature. Regulating professions is also one of the key feature of the laws ed by the 4th congress. There are two acts pertaining to this subject, the R.A. 2260 and R.A. 2382. Civil Service Act and Medical Act, respectively. The laws posed guidance and requirements on such professions especially the indications of minimum wages. Medical Act distinctly emphasized the requirements for the issions. On other economic aspects, the R.A. 2081 established the Development Bank of the Philippines. It channels a better development for the credit system by extending it to the city and provincial development banks. It’s ultimate intention though is to increase the productivity of corn and rice by the accessible credits. It is made to be a replacement for Rehabilitation Finance Corporation. In alignment with the Filipino First Policy, the legislature ed R.A. 2664 to take good care of the Filipino World War II Veterans by giving benefits and pensions. With the US veterans’ presence in the country, it was also agreed upon in the t Resolution No.1 to include the US veterans in the Philippines as beneficiaries. Along

with this, the Veterans Foundation of the Philippines was established to organize these veteran organizations in one whole system. Other laws ed, that can be seen until the present congress originated from this time. One of those is the establishment of the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures or R.A. 3060 that screens the movies and designating ratings upon them. And lastly, the 14 th Congress was able to make a system in order to keep the public informed. Under the committee on Good Government, the subcommitteeof Government operations made inquiries on the governance to compare it with the public clamor. The Fifth Congress (1961-1965) The Fifth Congress was the meeting of the legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, composed of the Senate and House of the Representatives from January 22, 1962 until December 17 1965. The Liberal Party was brought back to power in the presidency, but not in the Legislature in the 1961 election. During this time, Diosdado Macapagal was elected in the presidential seat with the plans to eradicate corruption in the government, effect genuine land reform and a socioeconomic program in order for the nation to flourish. The leaders of the Fifth Congress include: Senate President of the Senate: Eulogio A. Rodriguez, Sr. (NP) Ferdinand E. Marcos (LP), elected on April 5, 1963 Senate President Pro-Tempore: Fernando Lopez (NP) Majority Floor Leader: Cipriano P. Primicias, Sr. (NP) Arturo M. Tolentino (NP) Minority Floor Leader: Estanislao A. Fernandez (LP) House of Representatives Speaker: Daniel Z. Romualdez (NP, 4th District Leyte) Cornelio T. Villareal (LP, 2nd District Capiz), elected March 9, 1962 Speaker Pro-Tempore: Salipada K. Pendatun (LP, Lone District Cotabato) Majority Floor Leader: Justiniano S. Montano (LP, Lone District Cavite) Minority Floor Leader: Cornelio T. Villareal (LP, 2nd District Capiz) Daniel Z. Romualdez (NP, 4th District Leyte) elected March 9, 1962 The Senate was divided between Nacionalista Party and Liberal Party, but the lower house had 72 NP’s out of the 103 representatives. In the Senate, Amang

Rodriguez continues as the Senate President, but he was then replaced by Ferdinand Marcos in 1963. Fernando Lopez was Senate president pro tempore throughout the term. Daniel Z. Romualdez, from Nacionalista Party, continued on as the speaker of the House until March 1962, when he was replaced by Cornelio Villareal, of the LP, after party switching and realignments. The speaker pro tempore was Salipada K. Pendatun, from Liberal Party, and Justiniano Montano was the majority leader. The House of Representatives was enlarged to 106 with the separation of Samar into 3 provinces, namely Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Western Samar as stated in R.A 4221. R.A 3040, was an attempt to apportion an allowed 120 seats by the Constitution throughout the country, but unfortunately the act was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The sessions of the Fifth Congress of the Philippines include:  First Regular Session: January 22 – May 17, 1962  Second Regular Session: January 28 – May 23, 1963  First Special Session: June 10 – July 12, 1963  Third Regular Session: January 27 – May 21, 1964  Second Special Session: May 22 – June 25, 1964  Third Special Session: June 26 – July 8, 1964  Fourth Special Session: August 3 – August 15, 1964  Fourth Regular Session: January 25 – May 20, 1965  Fifth Special Session: May 21 – June 24, 1965  Sixth Special Session: June 30 – July 12, 1965  First t Session: March 1 – May 5, 1965  Second t Session: December 14 – December 17, 1965 A crisis was developed during the first session of this Congress because of the ime in the Senate. In 1920, two Commissions on Appointments came into existence because of the power struggle between the Nacionalistas and the Liberals. The Liberal Party was the ruling party at the time with Macapagal as the president, but the House of Representatives was split. A number of NP’s defected to the Liberal Party’s Allied Majority without giving up their party hip. The LP managed to obtain a majority with the NP’s defectors, but not until after the NP of the House organized various committees and elected their people to the Commission of Appointments. The Liberal Party then after gaining the majority seats, reorganized the House and the Commission on Appointments that is why there existed two commissions, one NP and the other LP, until the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the first Nacionalista Party commission. The new committees that was created during the term of office of the lower house of the Fifth Congress were those on Economic Affairs, Foreign Trade and Tourism, Constitutional Amendments, Games and Amusements, Good Government, Immigration and Naturalization, National Minorities, Reparations, War Veterans and Scientific and Technical and Scientific development. Despite the crisis in party control, the Fifth Congress was still able to a total of 1,192 acts during its regular and special sessions from 1962 to 1965. Many of the laws ed dealt with the economy. These include:  R.A 3591, which created the Philippine Deposit and Insurance.  R.A 3601, created the National Irrigation istration.  R.A 3627, established the Bureau of Agricultural Economics to systematize

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research and the compilation of statistics relating to agriculture. R.A 3765, the Truth in Lending Act. R.A 3844, the Agricultural Land Reform Code which provided for the government to buy private farm lands for redistribution to landless tenants on easy . R.A 3850, the Philippine Investment Incentives Act. R.A 4041, an act to develop the dairy industry of the Philippines. R.A 4093, the Private Development Banks Act R.A 4132, creation of the Northern Samar Development Authority, which is an example of how the Congress created regional development authorities to assist underdeveloped areas in the country.

Some of the laws ed also regulate various professions and businesses which had direct relations with the public. These include:  R.A 3720, The Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act set standards which would protect the public in these important areas.  R.A 4209, regulated the professions of geologists.  R.A 4226, required hospital to secure government licenses.  R.A 4274, regulated mining engineering.  R.A 4373, regulated social work  R.A 4419, regulated the dental profession  R.A 4566, required contractors to be licensed.  R.A 3931, created the National Water and Air Commission  R.A 4136, comprehensive Land Transportation and Traffic Code. Laws are also ed in the field of education:       

R.A 3562, government policy to promote the education to blind. R.A 3661, created the Philippine Science High School R.A 4368, the National Historical Commission R.A 4379, the U.P Institute of Mass Communications R.A 3870, the U.P. Law Center R.A. 4165, National Commission on Culture R.A 368, converted the Philippine Nautical School into the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy  R.A 4176, authorized the City of Manila to create the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila The Fifth Congress also gave attention to Filipino veterans, armed forces, ecology, and helping Southeast Asian ally. These laws include:  R.A 3518, created the Philippine Veterans Bank  R.A 3835, authorized the Women’s Auxiliary Corps and Carp Murphy and Fort Mckinley were renamed as Camp Aguinaldo and Fort Bonifacio.  R.A 3571, prohibited the cutting of trees in plaza, public roads, parks, schools, and other areas. 

R.A 4162, allowed the sending of the Philippine Contingent Vietnam (PHILCON), which is composed of doctors, nurses and civic action personnel.

More lasting and important acts were not ed for the reason that the adversarial relationship between the President and the Congress. The Congress blocked legislation of new taxes and related laws to carry out Macapagal’s Five Year Socioeconomic Program. The Agrarian Reform Act of 1963 was ed only after great effort and lobbying by Macapagal; even so he had to call the Congress to seven special sessions in order to get it ed. The Sixth Congress (1965-1969) This congress starts from January 17, 1966 to June 17, 1969. In the 1965 election, Nacionalistas recapture the presidency, with the victory of Ferdinand Marcos, formerly from Liberal Party. This time, the lower house had increased to 109 with the division of the Mountain Province into four provinces namely, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao and Benguet, pursuant to R.A 4695. In the case of the Legislature, there was a party shift again. The Liberals dominated the House of Representatives. In the Senate, Arturo M. Tolentino was elected Senate President, with Lorenzo Sumulong as president pro temper. In 1967, however, a reshuffle of power when a Nacionalista majority ensued from the Senate elections led to their replacement by Gil Puyat and Camilo Osias, and Osias would late be replaced by Jose J. Roy in 1968. Cornelio VIllareal, from LP, continued on as a Speaker of the House until February 1967, when he was replaced by Jose Laurel Jr., from NP. Salipada Pendatun continued on as Speaker Pro Tempore, later replaced by Jose Aldeguer. Justiniano Montano, NP, as the majority floor leader, was replaced by Marcelino Jose. Senate President of the Senate: Arturo M. Tolentino (NP) Gil J. Puyat (NP), elected January 26, 1967 Senate President Pro-Tempore: Lorenzo M. Sumulong (NP) Camilo O. Osias (LP) Jose J. Roy (NP) Majority Floor Leader: Jose J. Roy (NP) Rodolfo T. Guanzon (NP) Arturo M. Tolentino (NP) Minority Floor Leader: Ambrosio Padilla (LP) House of Representatives Speaker: Cornelio T. Villareal (LP, 2nd District Capiz) Jose B. Laurel, Jr. (NP, 3rd District Batangas), elected February 2, 1967 Speaker Pro-Tempore: Salipada K. Pendatun (LP, Lone District Cotabato) Jose M. Aldeguer (NP, 5th District Iloilo)

Majority Floor Leader: Justiniano S. Montano (NP, Lone District Cavite) Marcelino B. Veloso (NP, 3rd District Leyte) Minority Floor Leader: Jose B. Laurel, Jr. (NP, 3rd District Batangas) This Congress was the most productive of the Congress of the Third Republic, ing a total of 1,482 acts during its regular and special sessions from 1966 to 1969. It also had the most number of special sessions – nine in all. Sessions:  First Special Session: January 17 – January 22, 1966  First Regular Session: January 24 – May 19, 1966  Second Special Session: May 20 – June 18, 1966  Third Special Session: August 15 – August 27, 1966  First t Session: April 25, April 25, June 1, 1966  Second Regular Session: January 23 – May 18, 1967  Fourth Special Session: June 1 – July 5, 1967  Fifth Special Session: July 17 – August 18, 1967  Second t Session: January 30, February 13, February 27, March 8, March 14 – March 16, 1967  Third Regular Session: January 22 – May 16, 1968  Third t Session: February 20 – March 1, 1968  Sixth Special Session: May 17 – May 28, 1968  Seventh Special Session: July 8 – August 10, 1968  Eighth Special Session: August 12 – August 31, 1968  Fourth Regular Session: January 27 – May 22, 1969  Ninth Special Session: June 2 – July 5, 1969  Fourth t Session: June 11 – June 17, 1969 Acts was ed by this Congress dealt with economic problems plaguing the country.  R.A 5724, sought to develop the metal industry of the Philippines and push the Philippines towards industrialization.  R.A 4850,6042,6070, separate acts, created development authorities for Laguna Lake, Ilocos Sur, Sulu and other areas. In 1968, the lower house established the Congressional Economic Planning Office (CEPO) to make studies on industrial, fiscal, monetary, and foreign trade policies, with the aim of drawing up a long –range socio economic plan. This was a major development and was seen as an attempt by the Congress to address the Magna Carta of Social Justice and Economic Freedom in 1969, which proposed a selfsufficient economic system which gave more importance to the country’s needs rather than the needs of a select few. Other acts sought to make government more efficient , such as:  R.A 6040, amended the civil service act of 1959.

Other laws reflected the need to regulate important and sensitive professions such as:  R.A 5921, regulated the pharmacy in the country  R.A 5166, regulated the profession of ants. Other laws ed in this Congress include;  R.A 4652, to build and operate monorail system in the cities of Manila and Cebu - However this act did not push through.  R.A 4726, defined the word condominium and set appropriate standards.  R.A 4881, created council for the protection of children.  R.A 5416, creation of the Department of Social Welfare  R.A 6111, provide all government employees with medical insurance, the Medical Care act of 1969.  R.A 5092, promotes the development of geothermal energy, natural gas and methane gas.  R.A 6038, created the National Electrification istration to oversee the government’s plan to bring electricity to every barrio.  R.A 5173, created the Philippine Coast Guard  R.A 5435, authorized the president to reorganize the executive branch of government with the assistance of as special commission.  R.A 4664, authorized the president to send increased Philippine economic and technical assistance to South Vietnam  R.A 4913 & R.A 4914, establishment of constitutional convention which would amend the 1935 Constitution. Actual amendments were discussed among which was the increasing the number of representatives from 120 to 180. The amendments were submitted to the people in a plebiscite timed with the 1967 elections, but the public rejected them. Seventh Congress (1970-1972) Ferdinand Marcos, now a member of the Nacionalista Party was reelected for the second time and launched the seventh congress of the third republic. The seventh congress will mark the last time where the 1935 constitution will take its place on the bicameral legislature as Ferdinand Marcos will declare Martial Law in 1972, ending the third republic. The congress lasted from 1970 to 1972. The senate president then was Gil Puyat, it’s pro tempore, Jose Roy with majority and minority leaders, Arturo M. Tolentino and Gerardo Roxas, respectively. The House of Representatives on the other hand has been more prone to reelections (of the congressional leaders). The House Speaker was Jose Laurel Jr. of Batangas until Cornelio Villareal of Capiz was elected in April 1, 1971. Jose Aldeguer of Iloilo on the other hand maintained its position as speaker pro tempore. The same thing happened with the majority leader, Marcelino Veloso of Leyte. On this particular congress, however short it may seem, has elected three minority floor leaders. The first one is Justiniano Montano of Cavite, the other one was Ramon Mitra Jr. of Palawan elected last June 12, 1971 and Ramon Felipe Jr. of Camarines Sur elected

last January 24, 1972. All of the minority leaders are from the Liberal Party. The legislature however, was still dominated by the Nacionalista Party. The congress, with its short time span, achieved three regular sessions and nine special sessions. The latter ones are said to be intervened by the president Marcos due to the violence taking place and the lack of time (on Marcos’ side). At this time, the 7th congress established new committees namely, Social Amelioration, Electrification, Power and Water resources, Housing and Public Order and Security. The congress not only added some but has also taken way some of the previously existing committees. In total, there were 43 committees left. The 512 acts it ed, if one will closely look at it are slightly directed towards a socialist view. Every law ed is striving for and egalitarian way of living. For example, excluding R.A. 6597 to 6635, as these are signed by Marcos and not by the legislature, there are acts that are directed towards the regulation of the professions. How different it is from the other congressional acts is that there is a fixed uniform standard of living. There must be a minimum wage wherein everyone complies despite the variety or level in his/her profession. R.A. 6124 and 6361 stated a slightly fixed pricing (as it is the maximum amount that was controlled) and R.A. 6129 on the other hand stated the Minimum Wage Act. In turn, these led to the Price Control Council and the Wage Commission. Health and safety measures were also taken by the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1970 and National Building Code of the Philippines. And yet even though the laws are quite linient on the domestic and internal development, the 7th congress also encouraged some exports by the R.A. 6135. Here are some of the first few Republic Acts made. Republic Act No. Act 6349 Rent Control Regulation 6366 Rehabilitation and Modernization of the Philippine National Railways 6551 General Appropriations Act of 1972 6395 National Power Corporation Charter Revision 6139 Regulation of Tuition and other school fees of private educational institutions Serving History. (n.d.). 7th Congress of the Philippines: Legislation. Retrieved last October 11, 2010 from http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/7th_Congress_of_the_Philippines::sub::Legislati on The period was filled with mass violence and student demonstrations that eventually took a primary issue for the legislature. They eventually have to do something about it. Hence R.A. 6132 drafted the Constitutional Convention of 1971 and urged the legislators to draft a new constitution for the country. However, the for Marcos has extremely lessened and therefore resulted to failure. September 23, 1972 when President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law.

References: Arellano Law Foundation. (n.d.). The LawPhil Project. Retrieved last October 08, 2010 from http://www.lawphil.net/index.html Serving History. (n.d.). 7th Congress of the Philippines: Legislation. Retrieved last October 08, 2010 from http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/7th_Congress_of_the_Philippines:: sub::Legislation Wikipedia.(n.d.). Congresses of the Philippines. Retrieved last October 08, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congresses_of_the_Philippines