Constitution Scenarios

Section 2

The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines, as may be provided by law.

-24 Senators

-Election occurs on the second Monday of May

Section 3

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 registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of election.

-Congress cannot diminish or alter these qualifications

-A registered voter is one who is qualified by law, to vote

        -Is not in any form disqualified by the law from voting

-A residence is defined as the place where one has the intention of returning

        -Not necessarily mean actual place of residence

        -Reasons such as profession or engaging in an occupation do not equal abandonment of residence

Section 4

The term of office of the Senators shall be six years and shall commence, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June following their election. No Senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the 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.

-A Senator cannot serve after 2 consecutive terms

        -This is to avoid the culture which perpetuates things such as political dynasties

-There is no limit to how many years a person may serve as Senator

        -A person can run again for senate after a break of interval

Section 31

No law granting a title of royalty or nobility shall be enacted

-Equalitarian principle observed in a democratic society

        -Ranking certain people as belonging to an upper class called the "nobility" is not allowed

        -Egalitarian principle underlying the constitution

-Consistent with the declaration that the Philippines is a republican and democratic state                 as opposed to a monarchial or aristocratic form of government

        -Prevents creation of a privileged class

                -Prevents transmission of status to children or relatives

Section 32

The Congress, shall as early as possible, provide for a system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom, where by 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 after the registration of a petition therefor signed by at least ten per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of registered voters thereof.

Initiative

-Reserved power of the people to directly propose and enact laws at polls for a purpose independent of                 Congress or a local legislative body

-Three Kinds of Initiative

1. Initiative on Constitution

                -This refers to a petition proposing amendments to the constitution

        2. Initiative on Statutes

                -This refers to a petition proposing to enact a national legislation

        3.Initiative on Local Legislation

                -This refers to a petition proposing to enact a regional, provincial, city, municipal or                         barangay law, resolution or ordinance.