Republic of the Philippines

University of Southeastern Philippines

OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000

RULES OF PROCEDURE
2017 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL

RULE I – COMPOSITION

SECTION 1. The House of Representatives shall be composed of the following:

a. The OCSC Internal Vice President as the Chairman;
b. The elected and appointed congress representatives of each local council;
c. The Campus Club Organization President;
d. The University League of Class Mayors President.
e. The House Secretary
f. The House support staff

RULE II – POWERS, DUTIES, AND FUNCTIONS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SECTION 1. The powers, duties, and function of the House of Representatives shall be as provided by the
2010 OCSC CBL.

RULE III – DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

SECTION 1. Every member shall attend all the sessions of the House of Representatives unless he/she is
prevented from doing so by reason of sickness or other unavoidable circumstance. Provided however
that, should there be official business of any member for which he/she cannot attend a session, he/she
shall not be considered absent for that day.

SECTION 2. Every members of the House are to be present on time. Prior notice to the IVP or the
Chairperson of the Committee on House Rules and Ethics must be given if any member will be late,
however, it must be due to a reasonable cause. Two consecutive tardiness in sessions or meetings is
considered absence.

SECTION 3. As a general rule, every member is required to vote on every question or proposed measure
being voted upon by the House of Representatives. Abstention may be allowed if it can be shown that
the member concerned has a conflict of interest either directly or indirectly on the matter being acted
upon.

SECTION 4. Every member shall observe proper deportment and decorum during sessions, meetings,
and in the school premises to maintain idealism of being a student leader.

SECTION 5. Members of the House of Representatives are required to wear proper or decent clothes
during regular sessions. The use of sando or sleeveless shirts for the gentlemen and ladies, miniskirts for
ladies, shorts and slippers for both are prohibited. The use of such will humiliate the integrity of the
House of Representatives. However, during the special session, the dress code shall be suspended if, and
only if, the special session will be outside the school premises.

RULE IV – PRESIDING OFFICER

SECTION 1. The OCSC Internal Vice President shall be the Presiding Officer of the House of
Representatives and as such, have the following rights and duties:
a) To preside over the sessions of the House of Representatives;
b) To exact from all the members present during the session proper deportment and decorum;
c) To enforce the Rules of Procedures of the House of Representatives;
d) To maintain order during sessions and render a ruling on questions of order, subject to appeal
by the member concerned to the body for final decision;
e) To sign all the legislative documents, papers, vouchers requiring his/her signature;
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
f) To declare a recess during sessions anytime he/she deems it necessary, provided, that the
duration of the recess is less than fifteen minutes;
g) To declare the session adjourned to some other date, time, and place in cases of extreme
emergencies, serious and uncontrollable disorder, public disturbances, and other unavoidable
circumstances;
h) To make brief remarks, comments, or clarifying questions on any measure pending and under
deliberation by the body provided that he/she shall not express himself either for or against the
said measure or question;
i) To participate in the deliberation of any legislative measure provided he/she shall relinquish the
chair to the Deputy Presiding Officer or in favor of any member pf the House of Representatives
who shall act as the temporary presiding officer for that particular session. The right to
participate during deliberations shall also include the right to vote;
j) When presiding, he/she can only cast his/her vote in order to break a tie. However, such right is
not compulsory, hence, he/she may or may not exercise it. Should he/she wish not to exercise
to vote, the matter being voted shall be considered “dead”. In no case that he/she shall vote in
order to create a tie;
k) As the Presiding Officer, he/she shall have the authority to inquire and look into the order of
business before each and every session prepared by the Secretary of the House of
Representatives which shall be subject to his/her approval.

RULE V – THE DEPUTY PRESIDING OFFICER

SECTION 1. The Deputy Presiding Officer shall be elected among the members of the House of
Representatives. He/she must be able to get the majority vote of all members to become an eligible
Deputy Presiding Officer.

SECTION 2. The duties and powers of the Deputy Presiding Officer are:
a) To assume the duties and powers of the Presiding Officer in cases of absence or temporary
incapacity of the Presiding Officer, until such time that the Presiding Officer returns to the
performance of his/her duties; and, in case of resignation, removal, permanent incapacity, or
death of the Presiding Officer, until such time that a new Internal Vice President is elected and
qualified;
b) To preside over session when, even if present, the Presiding Officer does not preside, or has not
designated any other Member as temporary Presiding Officer;
c) To monitor, coordinate, and facilitate action on measures filed, requests, and other concerns of
Members representing colleges to which they may be assigned by the Presiding Officer;
d) To recommend to the Presiding Officer appropriate policies, strategies, and programs of action
to improve the process of legislation and the quality of legislative measures, and to effectively
address concerns of Members on matters affecting them, their constituencies, and the overall
operation and integrity of the House and;
e) To perform such other duties and functions as may be assigned and/or delegated by the
Presiding Officer.

SECTION 3. The Deputy Presiding Officer shall certify within three (3) days from the date of passage of
any legislative measures adopted by the House of Representatives in the session over which he/she
temporarily presided.

SECTION 4. The Deputy Presiding Officer, when presiding, he/she can only cast his/her vote in order to
break a tie. However, such right is not compulsory, hence, he/she may or may not exercise it. Should
he/she wish not to exercise to vote, the matter being voted shall be considered “dead”. In no case that
he/she shall vote in order to create a tie.

SECTION 5. The Deputy Presiding Officer may, on his own discretion, relinquish the chair temporarily to
any member of the House of Representatives whenever he/she wants to join the floor and participate in
the deliberation in his capacity as a regular member.
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000

SECTION 6. The Deputy Presiding Officer shall deem to have relinquished the chair in favor of the
Presiding Officer upon his arrival.

SECTION 7. In the event that both the Regular and Deputy Presiding officers are absent during the
session, members present constituting a quorum may elect among themselves a temporary presiding
officer.

RULE VI – REGULAR AND SPECIAL SESSIONS

SECTION 1. The regular session of the House of Representatives shall be held every second and last
Saturday of the month to be held at the _________ at __________.

SECTION 2. Special sessions may be called by the Internal Vice President when public interest so
demands or by a majority of the members of the House of Representatives.

SECTION 3. A written notice and text message to the House of Representatives member stating the date,
meeting, place, time, and purpose of the session shall be served to each member in person or to any
officers to their respective local councils at least twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled special
session.
SECTION 4. Unless otherwise agreed upon two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, there
being a quorum, no other matter may be considered at a special session except those stated in
the notice.

SECTION 5. All sessions shall be open to the public unless a closed session is ordered by an
affirmative majority vote of all the members present, there being a quorum, in the interest of the
public or for reasons or security, decency or morality.

SECTION 6. No two (2) sessions, whether regular or special, shall be held in a single day.

SECTION 7. An “adjourned session” may be called in any of the following situations:

a) Where there is no quorum, by a majority vote of all the members present in a session.
The members present may decide to adjourn the session from time to time, or day to
day, until such time that the necessary number be obtained to constitute a quorum. The
members present may compel the attendance of the absent members in order to obtain
the necessary quorum.
b) Where there is a quorum, by a majority vote of all the members present in any regular
or special session in order to finish very important business that needs immediate
action.

RULE VII – QUOROM

SECTION 1. A majority of all the members of the House of Representative; who have been
elected and qualified shall constitute a primary quorum.
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
SECTION 2. Secondary quorum is applied if primary quorum is not met in which at least there is
one representative from each local council present and the two sectorial representatives.

SECTION 3. In computing the presence of a “quorum”, the term majority shall be based on the
actual membership or incumbents in the House of Representatives and shall exclude the
following:
a) A member who is on official leave of absence;
b) A deceased member;
c) A member who has resigned;
d) A member who has been suspended, expelled, or removed by final judgment.

SECTION 4. In the absence of a quorum, the Presiding Officer may declare a recess for a
period of not more than fifteen (15) minutes and wait for other members to arrive. Also, a
majority of the members present may adjourn from time to time or day to day and may compel
the immediate attendance of any member absent. Whenever there is no quorum despite the
enforcement of the above remedial measures, the Presiding Officer, upon proper motion from
the floor duly adopted by the body, may declare the session adjourned for lack of quorum.

SECTION 5. Whenever any member raises a question of lack of quorum, the Presiding Officer
shall immediately order the Secretary of the House of Representative the reading of the roll of
members, announce the result thereof, and thereafter declare whether or not there exists a
quorum. A request or motion to determine the presence of a quorum shall not be debatable.

RULE VIII – ORDER OF BUSINESS

SECTION 1. The order of business of this House of Representatives shall be as follows:

a) Call to order
b) Opening Ceremonies
c) Roll Call
d) Reading and consideration of the minutes of the previous session
e) Privilege Hour/Question Hour (if any)
f) Committee Reports
g) Calendar of Business
i. Unfinished business
ii. Business for the Day
iii. Unassigned business
h) Other matters
i) Announcements
j) Adjournment

SECTION 2. The calendar of business shall be prepared by the Committee on House Rules and
Ethics and a copy thereof shall be furnished to every member of the House of Representatives
not less than one (1) day before the date of the regular session. The Presiding Officer shall
cause the Secretary of the House of Representatives to provide the necessary administrative
support or secretarial services to the Committee on House Rules and Ethics and other standing
or special committees.

SECTION 3. The Calendar of Business shall contain the following:

 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
a) Unfinished Business – refers to the proposals or measures, that are left untreated,
postponed or left unfinished during the previous meeting or session. These also include
items of business left unfinished at the end of the term of a previous administration.
b) Business for the Day – refers to a list of items that have been reported out by a
committee to which a legislative measure has been refereed and is ready for
deliberation. This may also include new measures to be acted upon by the body.
c) Unassigned Business – refers to pending legislative matters or measures including new
ones arising out during the deliberation but not yet assigned or referred to any
committee for appropriate action.
https://www.facebook.com/USEPOCSC2017/posts/714155628774723

SECTION 4. The Calendar of Business shall contain brief description of the item of business to
be taken up during a regular session including but not limited to the following:
a) The title of the proposed act or resolution, name of the sponsor or authors and the
committee to which it was referred or the committee sponsoring it;
b) In the case of petitions, letters, endorsements and other communications, the source or
the name of sender and;
c) In case of privilege speech, the topic and the name of the member who shall deliver the
same.

SECTION 5. Deviation from the prescribed Order of Business shall only be allowed under the
following circumstances:
a) Whenever the House of Representatives decides to suspend the rules through an
“assumed motion” by the Chair or through a motion by any member duly seconded by
the body to suspend the rules.
b) A decision to suspend the rules shall require a vote by general consent, a unanimous
vote, or at least a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.
c) Whenever a measure referred to the House of Representatives is certified by the OCSC
President as “urgent”, it shall have priority preference over all other items of business,
and shall be considered without need of suspending the rules or even if it is not included
in the calendar of business for the day.

RULE IX – LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

SECTION 1. In the enactment of acts and adoption of resolutions including other matters
requiring legislative actions, the following rules shall be observed:
a) Legislative actions of a general and permanent character shall be enacted in the form of
acts, while those that are temporary in character shall be passed in the form of
resolutions. Matters relating to proprietary functions and are of private concerns shall
also be acted upon through a resolution.
b) Proposed acts and resolution shall contain an assigned number, a title or caption, an
ordaining clause, and the date of its proposed effectively. In addition, a brief explanatory
note containing the justification for its approval may accompany every proposed act. It
shall be signed by the author or authors and submitted to the House of Representatives
Secretary who shall report the same to the House of Representatives for the next
session day.
c) Any legislative matter duly certified by the local chief executive as urgent whether or not
it is included in the calendar of business may be presented and considered by the body
during a regular or special session without the need of suspending the rules.
d) The Secretary to the House of Representatives shall prepare copies of the proposed
acts or resolutions with the necessary corrections made as passed by the body. He/she
shall distribute a copy of the same to each House of Representatives member. Provided
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
however that a measure is duly certified by the OCSC President as urgent, it may be
submitted immediately for final voting after the debate or amendments have been made
during its second reading.
e) No act or resolution passed by the House of Representatives is a regular or special
session duly called for the purpose shall be valid unless approved by a majority vote of
all the members present, there being a quorum.
f) Upon the passage of any act or resolution directing the payment of money or creating
liability, and upon proper motion of any member of ay resolution or motion, the House of
Representatives shall record the ayes and the nays. Each approved act or resolution
shall be stamped with the seal of the House of Representatives and recorded in a book
kept for that purpose.

SECTION 2. The approval of an act by the OCSC President, as the case may be, and the
exercise of his veto power shall be governed by the following rules:
a) Every acts/resolutions enacted by the House of Representatives shall be presented to
the OCSC President for his/her approval. If he/she approves the same, he/she shall affix
his/her signature on each and every
page thereof, otherwise, he/she shall veto it and return the same with his/her objections to
the House of Representatives, which may proceed to reconsider the same. The House of
Representative may override the said veto by a two-thrids (2/3) vote of all its members
thereby making the act or resolution effective for all legal intents and purposes.
b) The veto shall be communicated by the OCSC President to the House of Representatives
within three (3) days, otherwise, the act/resolution shall be deemed approved as if he had
signed it.
c) The OCSC President may veto any act/resolution approved by the House of
Representatives on the ground that it is prejudicial to the student’s welfare, stating his/her
reasons therefore in writing.

SECTON 3. The so-called “three reading principle” which commonly adopted in legislative
bodies shall also be followed by this House of Representatives. Hence, s a general rule, before an
act/resolution is finally enacted, it shall undergo following stages:
a) FIRST READING. At this stage the Secretary shall read the number of the proposed draft
act/resolution (e.g. Draft Act No.___), its title, name of the author or authors or the name
of the members introducing it. Thereafter, the Presiding Officer shall refer it to the
appropriate committee with or without instructions. At ths stage no debate shall allowed.
b) SECOND READING. At this stage, any proposed act/resolution that has already been
reported out by he Committee on Rules for “second reading” may be sponsored by the
reporting committee Chairman, or his/her Vice Chairman , or any committee member
designated for that purpose. Since every member of the House o Represetatives is
supposed to have been furnished a copy thereof, the proposed act/resolution may no
longer be read in the full unless the sponsoring committee or the House of
Representatives itself decides otherwise. After the usual sponsorship speech has been
delivered, the proposed act/resolution shall be subjected to the following.
i. Period of Debate
ii. Period of Amedment
iii. Approval on Second Reading
c) THIRD (FINAL) READING. At this stage, the Secretary shall read the proposed draft
act/resolution by its number, title and the name of the sponsor or co-sponsor, if any.
Immediately thereafter, the Presiding Officer shall put the proposed act/resolution to a
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
vote. The Presiding Officer shall then formally announce the result hereof and directs the
Secretary to enter it I the record.

SECTION 4. In case of acts/resolutions not requiring committee review, the three-reading

process could be done in a single session. Moreover, the second and third reading of all acts and
resolutions could be done in a single session, provided, that the House no other more important
matters to discuss to.
RULE X- VOTES AND VOTING
SECTION 1. Unless the House of Representatives prescribes a different method for a particular
measure, voting shall be either one of the following method:
i. By voice (viva-voce);
ii. By raising of hand
iii. By rising;
iv. By ballot; or
v. By nominal voting (aka roll call vote).

SECTION 2. Whenever a nominal voting (or roll call votig) is conducted, the Secretary shall call
the roll of members either in radom order or alphabetical order. As each name called, the
member shall announce his/her vote by stating “YES” or “NO”, as the case may be. As a general
rule, a member may explain his vote but not to exceed three (3) minutes. A second roll call may
be requested by any member from the chair provided that only the names of thosewho failed to
vote shall be called. This is to give another opportunity to those who failed to cast their vote to
exercise their right and also to determine the number of members who might have violated the
“rule on abstention”. After his/her second roll call, the Chair shall entertain no other request of
the same kind.
SECTION 3. A member is allowed to change his/her vote provided that the Chair has not yet
announced the result of the voting process. Otherwise, he/she can only change his/her vote by a
anunimous consent of the members present, provided, that this rule shall not be applied
whenever voting is by ballot.
SECTION 4. Any member who comes in late during session but who happens to arrive while
voting is in progress shall o\not be allowed to cast his/her vote, provided that the result of the
voting process has not yet been announced by the Chair.
SECTION 5. Except for a motion pertaining to a question of quorum, the Chair shall entertain no
other motion while voting is in progress.
SECTION 6. A tie vote resulting from a vote taken on any motion, measure or proposal shall be
constructed to mean that the particular motio, measure or proposal is defeated, unless the Chair
decides to break it. Exemption to this rule is whenever a “motion to appeal from the decision of
the Chair” is put to a vote and it resulted to a tie, the tie vote shall sustain the decision of the
Chair.
SECTION 7. In case of a tie, the Presiding Offier is allowed to cast his/her vote if he/she desires.
He/she is, however, precluded to cast his vote in orde to create a tie.
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
SECTION 8. A majority vote of all the members of the House of Representatives is required for
the enactment of acts/resolutions adopting and approving the OCSC Financial and Action Plan,
authorizing the release of any funds, imposing fees and sanctions.
SECTION 9. For purposes of this section, a percentage vote shall be constructed to mean as a
“proportion of a certain whole”. Percentage vote shall be applied in the following:
a) A Two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the members of the House of Representatives shall be
required in overriding the veto of the OCSC President for any acts or resolution, thereby
making the particular act or resolution effective for all intents and purposes.
b) Unless otherwise concurred in by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the House of Representatives
member, there being a quorum, no other matters may be considered in a special session
expect those stated in the notice.
c) The penalty of suspension or expulsion that may be imposed or meted out by the House
of Representatives to an erring member shall require the concurrence of at least two-
thirds (2/3) of all the House of Representatives members.
d) At least two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the members present, there being a quorum
shall be required for the adoption of the following motions.
i. Motion to suspend rules
ii. Motion to expunge
iii. Motion to call for the previous question

SECTION 10. I ndubitably, a member of the House of Representatives is presenting the

studentry and not necessarily his own self and such he/she should be required to take a stand,
whether on the affirmative side or in the negative side, on every issue or measure submitted for
decision of the august body, abstention however shall be allowed during the second reading of a
legislative measure. Hence, it is hereby made a general rule that NO member of the House of
Representatives shall abstain from voting,expect ought to result to conflict of interest on the part
of legislator to cast his vote. Abstention, whenever allowed to a member, shall not be considered
in computing the majority vote. Since abstention is not a vote it does not count either way. Mere
silence and abstention are not the equivalent of affirmative votes or of negative votes.

SECTION 11. Expect as otherwise provided in this Rules of Procedure, a vote by a “simple
majority” shall prevail on the other measures, motion or propositions provided there is a quorum.
In a parliamentary parlance, the term “simple majority” means one-half plus one (1/2+1) of the
total votes cast by the members present there being a quorum. It might be less than the majority
of the entire membership.

RULE XI- RULES OF DEBATES AND AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. As a general rule, no member shall speak before the House of Represntatives
without first “obtaining the floor”. A member who has obtained the floor shall address all his
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
remarks to the Chair. He/she shall conduct himself with proper decorum by confining his
remarks or arguments to the question under debate and by avoiding personalities.
SECTION 2. No member rendering a committee report or delivering the sponsorship speech
shall speak for more than ten (10) minutes unless allowed by the Presiding Officer.
SECTION 3. No member shall speak for more than five(5) minues on a particular issue or
question being debated upon unless he is allowed to do so by a majority of the members present.
SECTION 4. During the period of amendments, every member shall observe the so-called “three
minute rule”, i.e. remarks or argmentation by ay member on each amendment shall not exceed
three (3) minutes.
SECTION 5. A member rendering a committee report or delivering the sponsorship speech of a
proposed measure may move to open or close the debate within the thirty-minute (30) period
allowed of him. If he fails to exercise his option, the Chair may use the “assumed motion” to
open or close the debate, or any member may formally move for it. In any case, after a member
has rendered a committee report it shall be considered open to debate.
Section 6. While having the floor, a member may be interrupted in his/her speech or talk by the
Presiding Officer to state a point of order, to respond to question from the floor, to clarify something
related to the issue being discussed or to make certain remarks within his/her privilege.

Section 7. Another member may also interrupt the speaker whenever the latter desire to ask questions
through his privilege to interpolate and by proposing the following motions:

a.) Point of Order

b.) Point of Information
c.) Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
d.) Call for order of the Day
e.) Divide the Assembly
f.) Raise a question of Privilege
g.) Reconsider
h.) Appeal from the Decision of the Chair
Section 8. All questions to the speaker of the member having the floor must always be coursed through
the Presiding Officer.

Section 9. The speaking being interpolated may decline to answer the questions, if he/she so desires.

Section 10. No membershall speak against his/her own motion or proposition. He/she may, however be
permitted to withdraw his/her motion or proposition and if his/her request to withdraw is denied
he/she may vote against.

Section 11. While the period of debate is in progress, no member shall be permitted to roam around the
session hall or leave the premises without the permission of the Chair.

Section 12. A motion to close the debate is in order if three (3) members have already spoken in the
affirmative side and two (2) in the negative side; or, only one (1) member has spoken in favor but more
against it.

Section 13. Subject to the requirement of the preceding section, if no member moves to close the period
of debate, the Chair may use the “assume motion” to close the period of debate.

Section 14. Whenever the presiding Officer in addressing the House of Representatives, no member
shall leave his/her seat nor interrupt the former in delivering his/her address.
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
Section 15. After the period of debate has closed, the period of amendment shall immediately follow.

RULE XII – COMMITTEES

Section 1. the Following rules shall be observed in the creation of committees:

a.) A regular or Standing committees may be created or re-organized by a majority vote of

all the members of the House of Representatives.
b.) The Presiding Officer may recommend the creation or re-organized of any regular or
standing committee. The House of Representatives shall act on his/her recommendation
without debate and shall vote immediately.
c.) Special or Ad Hoc Committees may be created upon the initiative of the Chair or any
member subject to the affirmative votes of most of the members present, there being a
quorum.
Section 2. The regular committee to be created shall be composed of at least three (3) but not more
than five (5) members including the Chairman and Vice Chairman or at least one (1) representative from
each college and the two (2) sectoral representatives. Most of the members present, the House of
Representative shall elect the Chairman of a committee. The Chairman shall appoint the Vice Chairman
and members thereof.

Section 3. In forming a committee, the following restriction shall be restriction shall be observed:

a.) No person other than members of the House of Representatives shall be made a
member of any regular committee.
b.) No member of the House of Representatives shall be made a Chairman or Vice
Chairman of more than two (2) or more regular committees.
c.) No member shall participate in the committee’s deliberation whenever he/she has a
direct or indirect personal or pecuniary interest on the matter being handle by that
committee.
Section 4. As a general rule, no committee meeting shall be attended only by committee members
unless majority members thereof decide to allow other persons to be present especially invited resource
persons or consultant. Committee meetings, as the term implies, is a “meeting” of the member of the
committee for the primary purpose of decision-making. Since decision-making is difficult task, the
committee is not precluded from inviting and seeking advice from the technical persons.

SECTION 5. A majority of all the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum to do business.

SECTION 6. CALLING A COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting may be called by the following:

a.) Chairman
b.) Vice Chairman, if he/she is in the capacity as “Acting Chairman”
c.) Majority of the committee members
Provided, that due notice is served upon each and every committee member.

SECTION 7. VACANCY. Vacancy in a committee shall be filled up:

a.) By a majority vote of all the members of the House of Representatives; or;
b.) By the Presiding Officer or by general consent (uniramous consent) of the members
present there being a quorum.
SECTION 8. As stated in the OCSC Constitution and By-Laws, the House shall create standing committees
but not limited to the following:
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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a.) OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. This committee shall be composed of not more than five (5)
members, including its Chairman, Vice Chairman, to which shall be referred all matters
pertaining to legislative review, evaluation of the OCSC’s program and projects in a
manner consistent with legislative intent and determination on how approved
acts/resolutions are being implemented.
b.) BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE. This committee shall be composed of one (1) congress
representative from each college and two sectoral representatives, to which shall act
only upon a majority vote of the members present in the session, a verified complaint
from any member of the House of the Representative or from any bonafide student of
this university. The Committee can recommend disciplinary actions, the composition
thereof being subject to the approval of the House, as a consequence of the above-
mentioned anomalies.
c.) COMMITTEE ON IMPEACHMENT. This committee shall be composed of one (1) congress
representative from each college and two sectoral representatives, to which shall be
referred all matters regarding to any impeachment proceedings of a member of the
House of Representatives. The committee shall act only upon a majority vote of the
members present in the session, a verified complaint from any member of the House of
Representative or from any bonafide students of this university.
d.) COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS. This committee shall be composed of one (1) congress
representative from each college and two sectoral representatives. The Internal Vice
President/Presiding Officer shall be the chairperson of the committee.
e.) COMMITTEE ON HOUSE RULES AND ETHICS
1. This committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, including its
Chairman, Vice Chairman, to which shall be referred all matters or questions
pertaining to or connected with the following: House of Representative Rules of
Procedures and Violations thereof; order of business and calendar of business;
disorderly conduct of members and investigation thereof; privileges and members.
2. The committee shall recommend/determine the sanctions and penalties to any
member violation any of the provisions of this Rules of Procedures. They may also
recommend for expulsion or discharge from service if the prohibited acts in this
Rules of Procedures are committed. The expulsion or discharge must be with
concurrence of the majority of the members.
3. The committee shall recommend/determine the sanctions and penalties to any
member violating any of the provisions of this Rules of Procedures. They may also
recommend for expulsion or discharge must be with the concurrence of the majority
of the members.
SECTION 9. The following are automatically Special or Ad Hoc Committees of the House of
Representatives:

a.) COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL REFORM. This committee shall be composed of three (3)
members, including its Chairman and Vice Chairman, to which shall be referred all
matters related to the election process. The committee shall recommend/propose a
change in electoral systems to improve how student’s desires are expressed in election
results.
b.) COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZTIONAL DEVELEPOMENT. This committee shall be composed
of three (3) members, including its Chairman and Vice Chairman to which shall be tasked
to oversight, review and submit recommendations to the House with regards to the
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
operation of the Campus Club Organization. It scope shall extend to the financial aspect,
administration and overall impact of the CCO. The CCO President shall be automatically
part of the Committee.
c.) COMMITTEE ON AUDITING REFORMS. This Committee shall be composed of three (3)
members, including its Chairman and Vice Chairman, which is tasked to review the
auditing process of the Council and give recommendations for the development thereof.
It shall communicate with the Commission on Audit, the OCSC Treasurer, the CCO
Treasurer and local council treasures in developing appropriate measures in relation to
its tasks.
d.) COMMITTEE ON MAYORALTY REFORMS. This Committee shall be composed of three (3)
members, including its Chairman and Vice Chairman, to which shall be referred all
matters pertaining to the operation of the University League of Class Mayors. It shall
conduct reviews in the financial and administrative aspects of the League and
recommend appropriate ways to develop the class mayors.
e.) COMMITTEE ON LOCAL COUNCIL REFORMS. This Committee shall be composed of three
(3) members, including its Chairman and Vice Chairman, to which shall be referred all
matters pertaining to the operation of the Local Councils and recommend policies for
the development thereof.
f.) COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, APPROPRIATIONS, WAYS AND MEANS
1. This committee shall be composed of not more than three (3) members, including its
Chairman and Vice Chairman, to which shall be referred all matters or questions
pertaining to or connected with the following: collection fees, other sources of
revenues (IGPs), semester budgets which includes both Student Government and
Student Development Funds and budget proposals in every activity.
2. All budgets proposals with an itemized breakdown of expenses duly singed by the
proponents must be presented to the committee two (2) weeks before the event
unless it has been deliberated by the body. After the review by the committee it will
then be included as one of the order of business in the next session.
3. There shall be no activity that will be pursued if the budget of the said activity did
not undergo a review in the committee and approved by the House of
Representatives.
4. An audited financial statements and liquidation reports of each activity/program
must be submitted to the committee one (1) week after every activity/program
which the committee will review. After the review, the committee shall then submit
to the body a report stating their finding and recommendations.
5. The committee shall impose sanctions/penalties to committee members/officers
concerned who failed to submit financial statements and liquidation reports. The
committee may hold the clearances of the concerned officials who failed to comply
with requirement of the committee.
6. The committee shall assume responsibility of exploring possible ways and means of
increasing income of the council and alternatives to budget shortages and deficits.
g.) GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE. This committee shall be composed of at least one (1) congress
representative from each college to which shall deal with matters related to the
complaints and concerns of the students as regards to the formulation, implementation
and conduct of officers.
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
h.) COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION. This committee shall be composed of
three (3) members to whom they shall assume responsibility in the administrative and
technical matters during the session such as the proper position of tables and chairs,
proper distribution of materials and supplies needed in the session and they shall also
prepare the venue prior the session.

RULE XIII – COMMITTEE REPORTS

SECTION 1. In rendering committee reports, priority shall be given to Standing or Regular Committee to
be followed by Special or Ad Hoc Committees.

SECTION 2. As a general rule, the Committee Chairman shall render committee reports, unless he/she
dissents with the majority decision. In his/her absence, the Vice Chairman shall take place. If neither of
them is present, any committee member concurring with the report and duly designated by the said
committee shall render the same.

SECTION 3. Whenever a reporting committee recommends a favorable action on the measure referred
to it or recommends a proposed measure for appropriate action by the House of Representatives, the
Committee on House Rules and Ethics shall calendar it in the order of the day. If, however, the reporting
committee’s recommendation is unfavorable; the proposed measure shall be considered laid on the
table. If the reporting committee’s recommendation is for the House of Representatives not to take any
action and the body has adopted that recommendation, the proposed measure remains shelved in the
committee. If the reporting committee’s recommendation is for the House of Representatives to “file
away” the proposed measure which recommendation has been duly adopted by the body then it is
“filed-away”, in layman’s language, the proposed shall be filed in the archives of the House of
Representatives.

SECTION 4. As a general rule, no matter of a committee shall oppose or object to the report of his
committee unless he submits his dissenting opinion to the majority decision in writing or orally during
the session before the concerned committee makes its report. Otherwise, he shall be precluded to
oppose it on the floor.
SECTION 5. Every committee to which the Presiding Officer refers a particular measure shall submit its report in
writing to the House of the Representatives, through the Secretary, after finishing its task.

SECTION 6. When a measure is referred to two or more committees, the committees concerned may submit a
“joint committee report” or “multi-committee report”, as the case may be, or a separate report thereon.
a) Name of the reporting committee or committees
b) Brief statement of the subject matter referred to i: and the action taken thereon including information
gathered during the conduct of committee hearings or meetings and other relevant information.
c) Findings or conclusions.
d) Recommendations(preferably in the form of resolution)
e) Names and signatures of concurring members
f) Appendices (minutes of the committee hearing or committee meetings, as the case may be)

SECTION 7. A committee that failed to submit a committee report within the time required may be discharge by
the House of the Representative from further consideration of the measure question referred to it. Upon motion
by any member, the said measure can be re-assigned to another committee or submit the measure to the body for
proper disposition.

SECTION 8. When the House of Representatives is not satisfied with the report of a particular committee on a
measure referred to it , the same may be recommitted or returned back to that committee for further study.
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
SECTION 9. After a committee has rendered its report and it favorably recommends the enactment of a proposed
act it has “reported out”, a copy of the proposed act shall be furnished to the committee on Rules to calendar it for
“second reading”. Before the said proposed act is sponsored on the floor the Chairman of the committee
concerned shall furnish a copy of the proposed act to every OCSC-HOR member.

Section 10. After the referral of a proposed measure to a committee and failed to act within a period of 30 days
thereof, the proposed measure shall be calendared for second reading.

RULE XIV – JOURNAL AND RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

SECTION 1. House of Representatives shall keep a “journal and record” of its proceedings which may be published
upon a resolution by a majority of the member thereof.

SECTIOn 2. The House of Representatives, through its Secretary, shall record its proceedings in the form of a
“minutes” which shall be submitted to the members for appropriate action.

SECTION 3. The Secretary of the House of Representatives shall submit the minutes of the previous session 48
hours before its succeeding regular session. The House of Representatives shall first determined if there are
corrections to be made on the minutes and act on it accordingly before the same is adopted by the body and
becomes its property. Consideration of the minutes shall not be dispensed with if the members were already
furnished a copy thereof beforehand. Being all responsible men and women all members are presumed to have
read the minutes already before attending the session. In any case, the minutes submitted by the Secretary shall
be acted upon by the member’s present one way or the other.

SECTION 4. The minutes shall contain the following information

a) Place, date and time of the session;
b) Whether it is special or regular;
c) Name of members present and those who were absent ;
d) Action taken in the minutes of the previous session including correction/s, if any; name of whose adopted
(or approved)the minutes under consideration and those who did not;
e) Text of every measure (resolution or act. Etc.)adopted if enacted;
f) Brief resume of the minority opinion , if any;
g) The “Ayes” and “Nays” or “Yes” or “No” votes on the every question(measure)and if voting is done
through nominal voting or roll call vote the names of those who voted on either side ;
h) All motions presented or proposed , whether lost or carried, except those withdrawn;
i) Full text of the veto message of the local chief executive, if any;
j) Time of adjournment.

SECTION 5. The Presiding Officer, the members of the House of Representatives and the Secretary shall sign the
original copy of the minutes in the appropriate space therein.

SECTION 6. Excerpts to be taken out of the minutes shall be certified and attested to as correct by the Secretary
and the Presiding Officer on that particular session respectively.

RULE XV – DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

SECTION 1. Members of the House of Representatives may be disciplined for disorderly behavior and absences
without justifiable cause for three (3) consecutive sessions for which there may be censured, reprimand or
excluded from session, suspended for not more than one (1) month or expelled.

SECTION 2. The penalty of suspension or expulsion shall require the concurrence of at least two-thirds (2/3) vote of
all House of Representatives members.

SECTION 3. Any member who shall be convicted by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude and with a
penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (1) year shall be automatically expelled from the House of
Representatives.

SECTION 4. Penalties in violation of any of the provision of this Rule will be determined of at least majority of the
actual attendance of members in quorum such that penalties in monetary forms shall not be less than two
hundred pesos (P200.00) but not more than five hundred pesos (P500.00).
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
RULES XVI – RULES ON MOTION

SECTION 1. All motions relating to a committee report, if presented or proposed by the reporting committee
chairman or the reporting committee member need NOT be seconded.

SECTION 2. Whenever someone “has the floor” whether or not he is speaking, a pending motion or question
before the body is allowed.

SECTION 3. All “privileged motions” may be proposed even if there is pending motion or question before the body.

SECTION 4. The following motions can be presented or proposed even if someone has the floor viz:
a) Appeal from the decision of the Chair;
b) Call for Orders of the day;
c) Divide the House;
d) Divide the Question;
e) Object to the consideration of a question;
f) Point of Order;
g) Point of Information;
h) Point of Parliamentary Inquiry;
i) Reconsider;
j) Reconsider and have entered on the minutes;
k) Raise a question of Privilege
In other words, the foregoing enumerated motions can interrupt the speaker.

SECTION 5. When there is no quorum present, a motion to adjourn on take a recess is “in order” provided, that
nobody else has the floor.

SECTION 6. Any motion or question, laid on the table, maybe taken up through a motion to that particular session
or during the next regular session but not beyond.

SECTION 7. The following motions require to be SECONDED, viz:

a) Adjourn
b) Adopt a report or resolution, except when proposed by the reporting committee chairman or
member
c) Amend
d) Appeal from the decision of the chair
e) Commit or Refer to a Committee
f) Expunge
g) Extend or Limit the time for debate
h) Fix the time to adjourn
i) Lay on the table
j) Postpone Definitely
k) Postponed Indefinitely
l) Call for Previous question
m) Recess
n) Reconsider
o) Reconsider and have entered on the minutes
p) Rescind or Repeal
q) Suspend the rules
r) Take from the table
s) All main motions

SECTION 8. A motion to amend (amendment of the 1st Degree) and a motion to amend an
amendment (amendment of the 2nd Degree) may be withdrawn but only before a decision is made
thereon.
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern Philippines
OBRERO CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bo. Obrero, Davao City, 8000
SECTION 9. A motion to amend is in order only up to the second degree. Thus, a motion “to amend
an amendment to an amendment” is out of order.

SECTION 10. A motion can be withdrawn only when it is not yet being discussed or debated upon by
the body. Otherwise, any request to withdraw it shall require a vote by a general consent, and if
there is, an objection raised for its withdrawal, a majority votes of the members present.

RULE XVII – SUSPENSION OF RULES

SECTION 1. Any part of this “Internal Rules of Procedures”, except those prescribed by existing laws,
may be suspended at any particular session by general consent of all its members or upon the
initiative of the Presiding Officer.

RULE XVIII – AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. This “Internal Rules of Procedure” may be amended at any regular session by a two-
thirds (2/3)vote of all the members of the House of Representatives, provided that prior notice of
such proposed amendment is given to all members and provided further that no provision herein
which is based on, or prescribed by, existing laws shall be amended.

RULE XIX – EFFECTIVETY

SECTION 1. This “Internal Rules of Procedure” shall take effect upon its approval.