ON June 30, 2013, the 16th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines will be installed, with the newly elected senators, and district and party-list representatives as members.
A co-equal branch of the executive and the judiciary, Congress has been assigned three main functions under the the 1987 Constitution.
The first is to make laws, or amend and repeal existing laws. The major pieces of legislation that must pass Congress approval include the annual General Appropriations Act or the national budget, taxes, tariffs, franchises, and certificates or authorizations for operation of public utilities.
In addition, Congress may also propose amendments to the Constitution by transforming itself into a Constituent Assembly.
Second, Congress may conduct investigations in aid of legislation, or new laws and policies that the executive may adopt.
Third, Congress is tasked to attend to its constituents or the people who voted the legislators into office.
And there are many more.
The Constitution grants Congress more powers, or in truth, duties.
The question is, will the men and women of the 16th Congress prove themselves equal to the task?
And more than savoring their victory at the recent polls, have they started to soak up on what they must know and learn to do their duties well?
Despite all talk about which political party now controls how many seats in both chambers, will the 16th Congress serve as an independent, co-equal branch of the executive and the judiciary>
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The Constitution accords Congress all these powers:
* To enact laws, including appropriation and taxation measures.
* To conduct legislative investigations.
* To request heads of department to appear before it.
* To act as Board of Canvassers for the presidential elections.
* To call for special elections for the presidency and the vice presidency.
* To declare the existence of a state of war and delegate emergency powers.
* To revoke or extend the privilege of the habeas corpus or the declaration of martial law.
* To concur in the presidential power to grant amnesty.
* To confirm certain appointments made by the President.
* To concur in treaties and international agreements.
* To decide on the President’s ability to discharge the duties of his office when majority of the Cabinet members dispute his declaration that no inability exists.
* To impeach the President, the Vice President, members of the Supreme Court, members of the constitutional commissions and the Ombudsman.
* To allow utilization of natural resources.
* To propose amendments to the Constitution.