Congress and the Legislative Process MCQs

Civil Service Exam reviewer on how laws are made in the Philippines: three readings, the President's veto and override, appropriation bills, quorum, the Commission on Appointments and the Electoral Tribunals.

1. 1

   Under Article VI, Section 26(1), every bill passed by Congress shall embrace:

   AAny subject the authors chooseBOnly budget mattersCOnly one subject, expressed in its titleDAt least three related subjects

   Correct answer: C. Only one subject, expressed in its title

   The one-subject rule requires every bill to embrace only one subject, which must be expressed in its title. It prevents "riders", unrelated provisions hidden inside a bill, and keeps legislators and the public properly informed.

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2. 2

   Before a bill becomes law, it must pass how many readings in each house of Congress, on separate days?

   AOneBThreeCFourDTwo

   Correct answer: B. Three

   Article VI, Section 26(2) requires three readings on separate days, with printed copies in final form distributed to members three days before passage, unless the President certifies the bill as urgent to meet a public calamity or emergency.

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3. 3

   The requirement of three readings on separate days may be dispensed with when:

   AThe Speaker requests itBThe bill is shortCA majority of senators sign a petitionDThe President certifies the bill as necessary to meet a public calamity or emergency

   Correct answer: D. The President certifies the bill as necessary to meet a public calamity or emergency

   Under Section 26(2), the President may certify a bill as urgent to meet a public calamity or emergency. Such a certification allows the bill to pass without the usual three readings on separate days.

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4. 4

   If the President does not act on a bill within how many days after receiving it, the bill becomes law as if signed?

   A10 daysB15 daysC30 daysD60 days

   Correct answer: C. 30 days

   Article VI, Section 27(1) provides that a bill becomes law if the President does not communicate a veto within thirty days after receiving it. This is often called "lapsing into law".

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5. 5

   Congress may override a presidential veto by a vote of:

   AUnanimous consentBThree-fourths of the Senate onlyCA majority of each houseDTwo-thirds of all the members of each house

   Correct answer: D. Two-thirds of all the members of each house

   Under Section 27(1), a vetoed bill becomes law if, after reconsideration, two-thirds of all the members of each house approve it, each house voting separately.

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6. 6

   The President's power to veto particular items, rather than the whole bill, applies to:

   AAny billBAppropriation, revenue or tariff billsCBills on local government onlyDConstitutional amendments

   Correct answer: B. Appropriation, revenue or tariff bills

   Section 27(2) gives the President the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue or tariff bill, without affecting the items to which he does not object. This is the "item veto".

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7. 7

   All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, and bills authorising an increase of the public debt, must originate exclusively in the:

   ADepartment of FinanceBSenateCOffice of the PresidentDHouse of Representatives

   Correct answer: D. House of Representatives

   Article VI, Section 24 requires these money bills to originate exclusively in the House of Representatives, the chamber elected by districts and closer to the taxpayers. The Senate may propose or concur with amendments.

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8. 8

   Under Article VI, Section 25(1), Congress may NOT increase the appropriations recommended by the President for:

   AThe operation of the Government as specified in the budgetBLocal projectsCPrivate foundationsDForeign aid

   Correct answer: A. The operation of the Government as specified in the budget

   Congress may not increase the appropriations recommended by the President for the operation of the Government as specified in the budget. It may reduce or reallocate within its powers, but the President proposes the ceiling.

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9. 9

   Under Article VI, Section 29(1), money may be paid out of the National Treasury only:

   AIn pursuance of an appropriation made by lawBOn the order of the PresidentCWith the approval of COADWhen the Treasury has a surplus

   Correct answer: A. In pursuance of an appropriation made by law

   No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law. This "power of the purse" is one of Congress's most important checks on the executive.

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10. 10

    Congress convenes once every year for its regular session on the:

    AFirst Monday of JanuaryB12 June, Independence DayCFourth Monday of JulyDFirst Monday of June

    Correct answer: C. Fourth Monday of July

    Article VI, Section 15 provides that Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session. The President delivers the State of the Nation Address at the opening of this session.

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12. 11

    A majority of each house constitutes a:

    ABicameral conferenceBImpeachmentCVetoDQuorum to do business

    Correct answer: D. Quorum to do business

    Article VI, Section 16(2) states that a majority of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business. A smaller number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members.

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13. 12

    The body that confirms major appointments made by the President, such as cabinet secretaries and ambassadors, is the:

    ASenate Electoral TribunalBCivil Service CommissionCCommission on AppointmentsDJudicial and Bar Council

    Correct answer: C. Commission on Appointments

    Article VI, Section 18 creates the Commission on Appointments, composed of the Senate President as ex officio chairman, twelve senators and twelve members of the House, elected on the basis of proportional representation of parties.

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14. 13

    The Commission on Appointments is composed of the Senate President as ex officio chairman and:

    ATwelve senators and twelve representativesBTwenty-four senatorsCSix senators and six representativesDFifteen justices

    Correct answer: A. Twelve senators and twelve representatives

    Under Section 18, the Commission on Appointments has twelve senators and twelve members of the House, plus the Senate President as ex officio chairman, who votes only in case of a tie.

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15. 14

    Each Electoral Tribunal of Congress, which decides contests on the election of its members, is composed of:

    ANine members of Congress onlyBThe COMELEC en bancCThree Supreme Court justices and six members of the house concernedDThe Commission on Appointments

    Correct answer: C. Three Supreme Court justices and six members of the house concerned

    Article VI, Section 17 provides that the Senate and the House each have an Electoral Tribunal of nine members: three Supreme Court justices designated by the Chief Justice and six members of the chamber concerned. The senior justice presides.

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16. 15

    To declare the existence of a state of war, Congress must vote by:

    AA simple majority in joint sessionBTwo-thirds of both houses in joint session, voting separatelyCThree-fourths of the Senate onlyDA majority of the House only

    Correct answer: B. Two-thirds of both houses in joint session, voting separately

    Article VI, Section 23(1) gives Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both houses in joint session assembled, voting separately, the sole power to declare the existence of a state of war.

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17. 16

    The power of Congress, or its committees, to conduct inquiries "in aid of legislation" is found in:

    AArticle VII, Section 17BArticle VI, Section 21CArticle III, Section 7DArticle IX-B, Section 3

    Correct answer: B. Article VI, Section 21

    Section 21 allows the Senate, the House or their committees to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation, in accordance with published rules, while respecting the rights of persons appearing in or affected by them.

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18. 17

    Under Article VI, Section 28(1), the rule of taxation shall be:

    AProgressive onlyBUniform and equitableCFixed by the PresidentDThe same for all incomes

    Correct answer: B. Uniform and equitable

    Section 28(1) states that the rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable, and that Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation, in which those who earn more pay a larger share.

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19. 18

    When the Senate and the House pass different versions of the same bill, the differences are reconciled by a:

    ANational referendumBCommission on AppointmentsCBicameral conference committeeDSupreme Court ruling

    Correct answer: C. Bicameral conference committee

    A bicameral conference committee, with members from both houses, reconciles conflicting provisions. Its report must then be approved by each house before the bill goes to the President.

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20. 19

    A bill approved by Congress and signed by the President becomes a:

    ARepublic ActBOrdinanceCExecutive orderDPresidential decree

    Correct answer: A. Republic Act

    Laws passed by Congress and approved by the President, or passed over a veto, or lapsed into law, are numbered as Republic Acts. Presidential decrees were issued during martial law; ordinances are local laws.

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21. 20

    A law takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation, unless it provides otherwise. This rule comes from:

    ARA 6713BThe Civil Code, Article 2, as amended by EO 200CArticle VI of the ConstitutionDThe Local Government Code

    Correct answer: B. The Civil Code, Article 2, as amended by EO 200

    Article 2 of the Civil Code, as amended by Executive Order No. 200 (1987), provides that laws take effect after fifteen days following publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation, unless otherwise provided.

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