How A Bill Becomes Law In The Philippines

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1. To initiate the law-making process, the proposed bill is signed by its author and filed with the
Secretary of the either the Lower House (for congressmen) or the Senate (for senators).

2. The bill will go through three readings. On the First Reading, the number and title of the bill is
read, followed by its referral to the appropriate committee for study.

3. On the Second Reading, the bill is read in full along with amendments proposed by the committee
who studied it. The bill is then subjected to debates and discussion by the members of the
House where it was filed. After extensive discussion, the bill will be voted on. If approved, it would
go through a third reading.

4. On Third Reading, the bill will be submitted for a final vote. If approved again, it shall be
transmitted to the other House for concurrence. The other House will go through the same
process of having three readings.

5. If the other House introduces amendments and the House from which the bill originated
does not approve of the amendments, the differences will be settled by a meeting of the
Conference Committees of both Houses, whose recommendations will have to be approved
by both Houses.

6. Once the bill is approved, it is transmitted to the President of the Philippines for
signature. The President may then either sign the bill to indicate approval, or veto the bill to indicate
disapproval. If approved, the bill officially becomes a law.

7. If the President decides to exercise his veto powers, the Congress may re-pass the vetoed
bill if two-thirds of both Houses, voting separately, approve its enactment. In this case, the bill
also officially becomes a law.