Legislative process

Congress is responsible for making enabling laws to make sure the spirit of the constitution is
upheld in the country and, at times, amend or change the constitution itself. In order to craft
laws, the legislative body comes out with two main documents: bills and resolutions.

Resolutions convey principles and sentiments of the Senate or the House of Representatives.
These resolutions can further be divided into three different elements:

 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.
 concurrent resolutions — used for matters affecting the operations of both chambers of
Congress and must be approved in the same form by both houses, but are not transmitted
to the President for his signature and therefore have no force and effect of a law.
 simple resolutions — deal with matters entirely within the prerogative of one chamber of
Congress, are not referred to the President for his signature, and therefore have no force
and effect of a law.

Bills are laws in the making. They pass into law when they are approved by both houses and the
President of the Philippines. A bill may be vetoed by the President, but the House of
Representatives may overturn a presidential veto by garnering a 2/3rds vote. If the President does
not act on a proposed law submitted by Congress, it will lapse into law after 30 days of receipt.

Below is a chart mapping the process by which a law is made:

Officers and committees of the Senate

Senate officers

Senate President                               :       Sen. Franklin Drilon

Senate President Pro-Tempore          :       Sen. Ralph Recto

Majority Floor Leader                         :       Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano

Minority Floor Leader                         :       Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile

Committee on the Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon)

Chairperson: Sen. Teofisto Guingona III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance by officers and
employees of the government; implementation of the constitutional provision on nepotism; and
investigation of any matter of public interest on its own initiative or brought to its attention by
any member of the Senate.

Committee on Accounts

Chairperson:unfilled

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the auditing and adjustment of all accounts chargeable
against the funds for the expenses and activities of the Senate.

Committee on Agrarian Reform

Chairperson: Sen. Gregorio Honasan II

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to agrarian reform, landed estates, and implementation of the
agrarian land reform provisions of the Constitution.

Committee on Agriculture and Food

Chairperson: Sen. Cynthia Villar

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to agriculture, food-production and agri-business, such as

agricultural experimental stations, soil survey and conservation, animal husbandry, and fisheries
and aquatic resources.

Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies

Chairperson: Sen. Sergio Osmeña III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to banks, financial institutions, government and private
currencies, capital markets, mutual funds, securitization, coinage and circulation of money.

Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization

Chairperson: Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the civil service and the status of officers and employees of
the government including their compensation privileges, benefits, and collective negotiation
agreements; reorganization of the government or any of its branches; and all other matters
relating to the bureaucracy.

Committee on Climate Change

Chairperson: Sen. Loren Legarda

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies, programs, strategies, technologies and other
innovations addressing global warming and climate change impacts.

Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes

Chairperson: Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago

Jurisdiction: All matters proposing amendments to the constitution of the Philippines, and the
revision of existing codes.

Committee on Cooperatives

Chairperson: Sen. Manuel Lapid

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cooperatives, including farm credit and farm security,
cooperative movements, and the implementation of the Cooperative Code of the Philippines.

Committee on Cultural Communities

Chairperson: Sen. Loren Legarda

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cultural communities.

Committee on Economic Affairs

Chairperson: Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to economic planning and programming, general economic
development, and coordination, regulation and diversification of industry and investments.
Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture

Chairperson: Sen. Pia Cayetano

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to education, schools, colleges, and universities; the
implementation of the constitution provision for a free public elementary and secondary
education; non-formal, informal and indigenous learning systems, and adult education; the
preservation, enrichment and evolution of Filipino arts and culture; and the establishment and
maintenance of libraries, museums, shrines, monuments, and other historical sites and edifices.

Committee on Electoral Reform and People’s Participation

Chairperson: Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III

Jurisdiction: All matters pertaining to election laws and to the implementation of the
constitutional provisions on initiative and referendum on legislative acts, recall of elective
officials, the role and rights of people’s organizations, and sectoral or party list representation.

Committee on Energy

Chairperson: Sen. Sergio Osmeña III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the exploration, exploitation, development, extraction,

importation, refining, transport, distribution, marketing, conservation, or storage of all forms of
energy; renewable and potential forms of energy resources; and generation, transmission and
distribution of electric power.

Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Chairperson: Sen. Loren Legarda

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the conservation and protection of the environment, and all
matters relating to the management, development, protection, exploration and utilization of the
country’s national reserves such as forest and mineral resources.

Committee on Ethics and Privileges

Chairperson:unfilled

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the conduct, rights, privileges, safety, dignity, integrity, and
reputation of the Senate and its members.

Committee on Finance
Chairpersons: Sen. Francis Escudero (Subcommittee A), Sen. Sergio Osmeña III
(Subcommittee B), Sen. Loren Legarda (Subcommittee C), Sen. Ralph Recto (Subcommittee D),
Sen. Teofisto Guingona III (Subcommittee E)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to funds for the expenditures of the national government and
for the payment of public indebtedness; auditing of accounts and expenditures of the national
government; intergovernmental revenue sharing; and, in general, all matters relating to public
expenditures.

Committee on Foreign Relations

Chairperson: Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the relations of the Philippines with other nations;
diplomatic and consular service; the United Nations (UN) and its agencies, the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other multilateral organizations; all international
agreements, obligations and contracts; and overseas Filipinos.

Committee on Games, Amusement, and Sports

Chairperson: Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to games and amusement such as lotteries, horse-racing,
boxing, and basketball, and matters related to amateur grassroots and elite sports development.

Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises

Chairperson: Sen. Cynthia Villar

Jurisdiction: All matters affecting government corporations, including all amendments to their
charters, the interests of the government industrial and commercial enterprises, and privatization.

Committee on Health and Demography

Chairperson: Sen. Teofisto Guingona III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to public health, medical, hospital and quarantine services, and
population issues, concerns, policies and programs affecting individuals and their families.

Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Chairperson: Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the organization and administration of justice, civil courts,
and penitentiaries; impeachment proceedings against constitutional officers and other officers;
registration of land titles; immigration and naturalization; the implementation of the
constitutional provisions on human rights; and all matters pertaining to the efficiency and
reforms in the prosecution service.

Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development

Chairperson: Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to labor employment and human resource development; labor
education and standards; recruitment, training and placement of workers and exports of human
resources; and promotion and development of workers’ organizations.

Committee on Local Government

Chairperson: Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to autonomous regions, provinces, cities, special metropolitan
political subdivisions, municipalities, and barangays.

Committee on National Defense and Security

Chairperson: Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to national defense, and external and internal threats to
national security; the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); war veterans and military retirees;
civil defense; and military research and development.

Committee on Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation

Chairperson: Sen. Teofisto Guingona III

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to peace, armed conflict resolution, political negotiation,
cessation of hostilities, amnesty, integration and development of former rebels, and national
unification and reconciliation.

Committee on Public Information and Mass Media

Chairperson: Sen. Grace Poe

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to public information, mass communication and broadcast
services, the implementation of the constitutional provisions regarding ownership of mass media
and the advertising industry, and the artistic standards and quality of the motion picture and
television industry.

Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs

Chairperson: Sen. Grace Poe

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to peace and order, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and
private security agencies; the possession, use, cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of
prohibited and regulated drugs, the prosecution of offenders, and rehabilitation of drug users and
dependents.

Committee on Public Services

Chairperson: Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.

Jurisdiction: All matters affecting public services and utilities, communications, land, air, river
and sea transportation including railroads, inter-island navigation and lighthouses, and the grant
or amendment of legislative franchises.

Committee on Public Works

Chairperson: Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to planning, construction, maintenance, improvement and

repair of public buildings, highways, bridges, roads, ports, airports, harbors and parks, drainage
and flood control, and irrigation and water utilities.

Committee on Rules

Chairperson: Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano

Jurisdiction: All matters affecting the rules of the Senate, the calendar and parliamentary rules,
the order and manner of transacting business, and the creation of committees.

Committee on Science and Technology

Chairperson: Sen. Ralph Recto

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to science and technology, including scientific and
technological research, development and advancement.

Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development

Chairperson: Sen. Maria Lourdes Binay

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to rural development and welfare, and the implementation of
the constitution provisions on social justice.

Committee on Tourism

Chairperson: Sen. Manuel Lapid

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to tourism and the tourist industry.

Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship

Chairperson: Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to domestic and foreign trade and private corporations; micro,
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); social enterprises; the promotion of entrepreneurship
and the regulation of entrepreneurial practice; patents, copyrights, trade names and trademarks;
quality control; control and stabilization of prices of commodities; consumer protection; and
handicraft and cottage industries.

Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement

Chairperson: Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to urban land reform planning, housing, resettlement, and
urban community development.

Committee on Ways and Means

Chairperson: Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to revenue-generation, taxes and fees, tariffs, loans, and other
sources and forms of revenue.

Committee on Women, Family Relations, and Gender Equality

Chairperson: Sen. Pia Cayetano

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the women, family relations, and equality before the law of
women and men.

Committee on Youth

Chairperson: Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV

Jurisdiction: All matters related to the youth and its vital role in nation-building, promotion and
protection of their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being, and their
involvement in public and civic affairs.

Officers and committees of the House of Representatives

House Speaker                     :       Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Quezon City, 4th District)

Deputy House Speakers        :       Rep. Henedina Abad (Batanes, Lone District)
                                                       Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao (Isabela, 4th District)

                                                       Rep. Sergio Apostol (Leyte, 2nd District)

                                                       Rep. Pangalian Balindong (Lanao del Sur, 2nd District)

                                                       Rep. Carlos Padilla (Nueva Vizcaya, Lone District)

                                                       Rep. Roberto Puno (Antipolo City, 1st District)

Majority Floor Leader             :       Rep. Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong City, Lone District)

Minority Floor Leader             :       Rep. Ronaldo Zamora (San Juan City, Lone District)

Committee on Accounts

Chairperson: Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the internal budget of the House of Representatives,
including budget preparation, submission and approval, disbursements, accounting, and financial
operations.

Committee on Agrarian Reform

Chairperson: Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to agrarian reform, the resettlement of and other support
services for agrarian reform beneficiaries, and the implementation and amendment of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.

Committee on Agriculture and Food

Chairperson: Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza (Batangas, 4th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to food and agricultural production, agri-business, agricultural
research and technology, soil survey and research, irrigation, farm credit and security, animal
industry, and crop and livestock production.

Committee on Appropriations

Chairperson: Rep. Isidro Ungab (Davao City, 3rd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the expenditures of the national government including
payment of public indebtedness, creation or abolition and classification of positions in
government, and the determination of salaries, allowances and benefits of government personnel.
Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources

Chairperson: Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to aquaculture and fisheries production and development,
aquaculture business, use of aquatic resources, freshwater and fisheries culture research and
technology, and conservation of rivers, lakes and other fisheries resources.

Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries

Chairperson: Rep. Sonny Collantes (Batangas, 3rd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to banking and currency, government-owned or controlled

banks and financial institutions, non-government banks and financial institutions, insurance, and
securities.

Committee on Basic Education and Culture

Chairperson: Rep. Kimi Cojuangco (Pangasinan, 5th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to pre-school, elementary and secondary education, science
high schools (except the Philippine Science High School), teachers’ and students’ welfare,
alternative learning systems and community adult education, the national language, libraries and
museums, and the preservation and enrichment of Filipino culture.

Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation

Chairperson: Rep. Andres Salvacion Jr. (Leyte, 3rd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the organization, operation, management, rules and
regulations of the civil service, the welfare and benefits of government officers and employees,
and the regulation and practice of professions.

Committee on Constitutional Amendments

Chairperson: Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano (Davao City, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters directly and principally relating to amendments or revisions of the
constitution.

Committee on Cooperatives Development

Chairperson: Rep. Cresente Paez (COOP NATCCO Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to cooperatives (consumer, producers, marketing, service,
electric, and multi-purpose), urban- and rural-based credit, and the implementation or
amendment of the Cooperative Code of the Philippines.

Committee on Dangerous Drugs

Chairperson: Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr. (Iligan City, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to illegal or prohibited drugs, its production, manufacture, use
and trafficking, and the rehabilitation and treatment of drug dependents.

Committee on Ecology

Chairperson: Rep. Amado Bagatsing (Manila, 5th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to ecosystem management, including pollution control.

Committee on Economic Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Enrique Cojuangco (Tarlac, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to economic development planning and programs, inclusive of
economic and socio-economic studies, and development policies and strategies.

Committee on Energy

Chairperson: Rep. Reynaldo Umali (Oriental Mindoro, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the exploration, development, utilization or conservation of

energy resources, and entities involved in energy or power generation, transmission, distribution
and supply.

Committee on Ethics and Privileges

Chairperson: Rep. Joaquin Chipeco Jr. (Laguna, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the duties, conduct, rights, privileges and immunities,
dignity, integrity, and reputation of the House of Representatives and its members.

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Al Francis Bichara (Albay, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the relations of the Philippines with other countries,
diplomatic and consular services, the United Nations (UN) and its agencies, and other
international organizations and agencies.
Committee on Games and Amusements

Chairperson: Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. (Cavite, 4th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to all forms and places of gaming and amusements.

Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability

Chairperson: Rep. Oscar Rodriguez (Pampanga, 3rd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance by officers and
employees of the government, inclusive of investigations of any matter of public interest on its
own initiative or upon an order by the House of Representatives.

Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization

Chairperson: Rep. Jesus Sacdalan (North Cotabato, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the creation, organization, operation, reorganization, and
amendments of charters of government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) including the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS), but
excluding government-owned or controlled banks and financial institutions.

Committee on Government Reorganization

Chairperson: Rep. Romeo Acop (Antipolo City, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the reorganization of the government and its branches,
departments and instrumentalities, and the creation, abolition or change of the principal functions
or nature of any government department, agency, commission or board.

Committee on Health

Chairperson: Rep. Eufranio Eriguel, M.D. (La Union, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to public health and hygiene, and quarantine, medical, hospital
and other health facilities and services.

Committee on Higher and Technical Education

Chairperson: Rep. Roman Romulo (Pasig City, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to post-secondary and tertiary education, technical education,
distance education, students’ and teachers’ welfare, and centers of excellence.

Committee on Housing and Urban Development

Chairperson: Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to shelter delivery, and the management of urbanization issues
and concerns such as urban planning and development, urban land reform and welfare of the
urban poor.

Committee on Human Rights

Chairperson: Rep. Guillermo Romarate Jr. (Surigao del Norte, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the protection and enhancement of human rights, assistance
to victims of human rights violations and their families, the prevention of violations of human
rights, and the punishment of perpetrators of such violations.

Committee on Information and Communications Technology

Chairperson: Rep. Joel Roy Duavit (Rizal, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to postal, telegraph, radio, broadcast, cable television,
telephone, convergence, computers and telecommunications technologies, information systems
inclusive of hardware, software and content applications, mobile short messaging system (SMS)
applications, and networks that enable access to online technology.

Committee on Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy

Chairperson: Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to inter-parliamentary relations and linkages with international
parliamentary organizations, establishment of inter-parliamentary friendship societies, and visits
of parliamentary delegations as well as other foreign dignitaries.

Committee on Justice

Chairperson: Niel Tupas Jr. (Iloilo, 5th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the administration of justice, the Judiciary, the practice of
law and integration of the Bar, legal aid, penitentiaries, impeachment proceedings, registration of
land titles, immigration, deportation, naturalization, and the definition of crimes and their
penalties.

Committee on Labor and Employment

Chairperson: Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles (Davao City, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to labor, the advancement and protection of workers’ rights
and welfare, employment and manpower development, labor standards, and the organization and
development of the labor market including the recruitment, training and placement of manpower.

Committee on Legislative Franchises

Chairperson: Rep. Marcelino Teodoro (Marikina City, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters directly and principally relating to the grant, amendment, extension or
revocation of franchises.

Committee on Local Government

Chairperson: Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. (South Cotabato, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to autonomous regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and
barangays, including their revenues and expenditures.

Committee on Metro Manila Development

Chairperson: Rep. Winston Castelo (Quezon City, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs to promote and enhance the
development of the Metro Manila area.

Committee on Mindanao Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Arnulfo Go (Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the development of Mindanao, including the preparation of
a comprehensive and integrated development plan for Mindanao.

Committee on Muslim Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Tupay Loong (Sulu, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to Muslim affairs inclusive of the welfare of Muslim Filipinos,
and the development of predominantly Muslim areas.

Committee on National Cultural Communities

Chairperson: Rep. Nancy Catamco (North Cotabato, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to national cultural communities, and the development of
predominantly cultural community areas.
Committee on National Defense and Security

Chairperson: Rep. Rodolfo Biazon (Muntinlupa City, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to national defense and national security, the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP), military bases, coast and geodetic surveys, and disaster relief and rescue.

Committee on Natural Resources

Chairperson: Rep. Francisco Matugas (Surigao del Norte, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to natural resources (except energy and fisheries resources)
and their exploration, conservation, management and utilization, public domain lands, mines and
minerals, forests, parks and wildlife, and marine resources.

Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs

Chairperson: Rep. Walden Bello (Akbayan Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs on the promotion and protection of
the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.

Committee on People’s Participation

Chairperson: Rep. Benjamin Asilo (Manila, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the role, rights and responsibilities of people’s
organizations, non-government and civic organizations, and other similar groups, and the
establishment of mechanisms on people’s participation in governance and legislation.

Committee on Population and Family Relations

Chairperson: Rep. Rogelio Espina, M.D. (Biliran, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to population growth and family planning, population census
and statistics, family relations, and care of the elderly.

Committee on Poverty Alleviation

Chairperson: Rep. Salvio Fortuno (Camarines Sur, 5th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs to address the poverty situation in the
country and other actions to alleviate the plight of the poor, and promote their right to equal
access to opportunities.

Committee on Public Information

Chairperson: Rep. Jorge Almonte (Misamis Occidental, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the production and dissemination of information to the
public through all forms of mass communications and media such as print and broadcast media,
movie and television, video, advertising, cable television, and the internet.

Committee on Public Order and Safety

Chairperson: Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Negros Occidental, 4th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the suppression of criminality including those on illegal
gambling, private armies, terrorism, organized crime and illegal drugs, regulation of firearms,
firecrackers and pyrotechnics, civil defense, private security agencies, and the Philippine
National Police (PNP).

Committee on Public Works and Highways

Chairperson: Rep. Ronald Cosalan (Benguet, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the planning, construction, maintenance, improvement and
repair of public infrastructure inclusive of buildings, highways, bridges, roads, parks, drainage,
flood control and water utilities.

Committee on Revision of Laws

Chairperson: Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (Pangasinan, 6th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the revision and codification of laws.

Committee on Rules

Chairperson: Rep. Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong City, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the rules of the House of Representatives, rules of procedure
in impeachment proceedings, order of business, calendar of business, the referral of bills,
resolutions, speeches, committee reports, messages, and the creation of committees.

Committee on Rural Development

Chairperson: Rep. Manuel Agyao (Kalinga, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the development of rural areas and islands through policies,
programs, and support services including livelihood and enterprise development, microfinancing,
community mobilization and development, and access to rural projects funding and financing.

Committee on Science and Technology

Chairperson: Rep. Victor Yu (Zamboanga del Sur, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to science and technology including scientific and
technological research and development, science and technology education including the
Philippine Science High School System, intellectual property rights on biotechnology, and
climate and weather forecasting.

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development

Chairperson: Rep. Neil Benedict Montejo (An Waray Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs on entrepreneurship development

including the promotion of entrepreneurship, support to entrepreneurs, and the establishment and
development of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

Committee on Social Services

Chairperson: Rep. Arturo Robes (San Juan del Monte City, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the social development and welfare of persons with
disabilities or special needs, including social services and interventions that enhance quality of
life.

Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms

Chairperson: Rep. Fredenil Castro (Capiz, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the protection and advancement of the right of suffrage, and
the conduct of elections, plebiscites, initiatives, recalls and referenda.

Committee on Tourism

Chairperson: Rep. Rene Relampagos (Bohol, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the development and promotion of tourism and the tourist
industry, both domestic and international.

Committee on Trade and Industry

Chairperson: Rep. Mark Villar (Las Piñas City, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to domestic and foreign trade, intellectual property rights,
patents, standards, weights and measures, quality control, consumer protection, prices of
commodities, handicrafts and cottage industries, and the development, regulation and
diversification of industry and investments.
Committee on Transportation

Chairperson: Rep. Cesar Sarmiento (Catanduanes, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to land, sea, and air transportation, the establishment,
operation, management and regulation of airports, seaports and other mass transportation
systems including rail systems and roll on-roll off (RO-RO) systems, civil aviation, air transport
agreements, transportation safety standards, air transport security, and maritime security.

Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare

Chairperson: Rep. Herminia Roman (Bataan, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the welfare of war veterans, veterans of military campaigns,
military retirees, and their surviving spouses and beneficiaries.

Committee on Ways and Means

Chairperson: Rep. Romero Quimbo (Marikina City, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the fiscal, monetary and financial affairs of the national
government, including tariff, taxation, revenues, borrowing, and credit and bonded indebtedness.

Committee on Welfare of Children

Chairperson: Rep. Aurora Enerio Cerilles (Zamboanga del Sur, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the needs, education and overall welfare of Filipino
children.

Committee on Welfare and Gender Equality

Chairperson: Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica (Bulacan, 4th District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the rights and welfare of women and female children and
youth, inclusive of their education, employment and working conditions, and concerns relating to
gender equality.

Committee on Youth and Sports Development

Chairperson: Rep. Anthony Del Rosario (Davao del Norte, 1st District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to youth development, including the development of their
leadership potentials and the promotion of their moral, physical, intellectual and social well-
being, and sports development.
Special Committee on Bases Conversion

Chairperson: Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales (CIBAC Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs relating to bases conversion, the
operation of special economic zones in former military bases, sale of military camps, relocation
of military camps and personnel, and the construction of new military camps.

Special Committee on Bicol Recovery and Economic Development

Chairperson: Rep. Rodel Batocabe (Ako Bicol Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs to promote the development of the
Bicol region, inclusive of developmental projects, care programs and the Bicol River basin
project.

Special Committee on the East ASEAN Growth Area

Chairperson: Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza (TUCP Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to social, political, economic policies affecting the countries
within the area, and the promotion of trade and investment among these countries.

Special Committee on Food Security

Chairperson: Rep. Agapito Guanlao (Butil Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to programs and policies relating to food production and
distribution, sustained growth and self-reliance in the production of basic food commodities, the
availability of these commodities to the people, and long-term food security for the nation.

Special Committee on Globalization and WTO

Chairperson: Rep. Irwin Tieng (Buhay Party-list)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the effects on various social sectors of World Trade
Organization (WTO) policies, and other actions to harness opportunities offered by globalization
for development.

Special Committee on Land Use

Chairperson: Rep. Kaka Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to land use issues inclusive of the enhancement of resource use
and management of indigenous cultural communities, preservation of historical and cultural
heritage sites, and linkages among agencies and stakeholders in land resource management.
Special Committee on Millennium Development Goals

Chairperson: Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. (Aklan, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the achievement of the country’s commitment to the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Special Committee on the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle

Chairperson: Rep. Maximo Dalog (Mountain Province, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to all policies and programs concerning the development of
municipalities, cities, provinces, and other local communities in the northwest Luzon area.

Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity

Chairperson: Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman (Basilan, Lone District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to negotiations and other initiatives in pursuit of the peace
process and national reconciliation, the cessation of hostilities generated by internal armed
conflicts, and the welfare of rebel-returnees.

Special Committee on Reforestation

Chairperson: Rep. Susan Yap (Tarlac, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to policies and programs on reforestation, and other actions to
ensure the implementation of a sustained community-based nationwide reforestation program.

Committee on Southern Tagalog Development

Chairperson: Rep. Isidro Rodriguez Jr. (Rizal, 2nd District)

Jurisdiction: All matters relating to the development of the Southern Tagalog area, inclusive
agricultural areas, tourism, economic, and industrial estates and processing areas therein.