Legislation 101: How a Bill Becomes a Law

• The Bill undergoes its First Reading:
  • The title/author(s) are read and the bill is referred to the appropriate standing committee; and
    
  • The committee will study the bill and issue its recommendation:
    • If favorable, the report is submitted to the Committee on Rules. which calendars the Bill for Floor discussion;
      
    • If not, the Bill is laid on the table; author(s) are informed;

• During the Second Reading:
  • The Bill is discussed and debated upon;
    
  • The Bill undergoes a period of amendments; and
    
  • It is voted on as amended to pass to the Third Reading
    

• During the Third Reading:
  • The Bill is distributed in its final form; and
    
  • A roll call vote is held to approve, or reject the bill.
    

• Once approved by the Senate, the Bill passes to House of Representatives for their deliberations. The bill will undergo the same readings, outlined above, as in the Senate and the House of Representatives will either:
  • Reject the bill, or
    
  • If there are conflicting provisions in the House's version, an Ad Hoc Conference Committee is constituted to reconcile said provisions, and
    
  • Approve the bill and pass the bill on to the Office of the President.
    

• At the Office of the President, the bill may:
  • Automatically lapse into law if not acted upon within 30 days of receipt, or
    
  • Be vetoed by the President and returned to the orignating house of Congress with an explanation. The originating house will either.
    • Accept the veto, or
      
    • Vote to override the veto with a 2/3 vote at both houses of Congress.
      

  • Be ratified into law and become a Republic Act.