Regular Batasang Pambansa

The Regular Batasang Pambansa (English: Regular National Assembly), or the First Batasang Pambansa,[1][2] was the meeting of the Batasang Pambansa from the beginning of its session on July 23, 1984 until it was abolished by President Corazon Aquino on March 25, 1986.

Regular Batasang Pambansa
Type
Type
History
FoundedJune 30, 1984
DisbandedMarch 25, 1986
Preceded byInterim Batasang Pambansa
Succeeded byCongress of the Philippines
Leadership
Salipada Pendatun, KBL (1984–1985)
Macacuna Dimaporo, KBL (1985–1986)
Cesar Virata, KBL (1984–1986)
Salvador Laurel, UNIDO (1986)
Jose A. Roño, KBL
Seats200
Elections
First election
May 14, 1984

Events edit

Marcos impeachment attempt edit

On August 13, 1985, 56 assemblymen signed a resolution calling for the impeachment of President Marcos for graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, gross violation of his oath of office and other high crimes.

They cited the San Jose Mercury News exposé of the Marcoses' multimillion-dollar investment and property holdings in the United States.[3][4][5] The properties allegedly amassed by the First Family were the Crown Building, Lindenmere Estate, and a number of residential apartments (in New Jersey and New York), a shopping center in New York, mansions (in London, Rome and Honolulu), the Helen Knudsen Estate in Hawaii and three condominiums in San Francisco, California.

The Assemblymen also included in the complaint the misuse and misapplication of funds "for the construction of the Film Center, where X-rated and pornographic films are exhibited, contrary to public morals and Filipino customs and traditions".

The following day, the Committee on Justice, Human Rights and Good Government dismissed the impeachment complaint for being insufficient in form and substance:

The resolution is no more than a hodge-podge of unsupported conclusions, distortion of law, exacerbated by ultra partisan considerations. It does not allege ultimate facts constituting an impeachable offense under the Constitution. In sum, the Committee finds that the complaint is not sufficient in form and substance to warrant its further consideration. It is not sufficient in form because the verification made by the affiants that the allegations in the resolution "are true and correct of our own knowledge" is transparently false. It taxes the ken of men to believe that the affiants individually could swear to the truth of allegations, relative to the transactions that allegedly transpired in foreign countries given the barrier of geography and the restrictions of their laws. More important, the resolution cannot be sufficient in substance because its careful assay shows that it is a mere charade of conclusions.[This quote needs a citation]

The People Power Revolution edit

The People Power Revolution from February 22–25, 1986 was a series of mostly nonviolent mass demonstrations in the Metro Manila area. The peaceful protests were held after a call by Cardinal Jaime Sin, Archbishop of Manila, for civilian support of rebels, and this led to the fall of Marcos' regime and the installation of Corazon Aquino as president.

Abolition edit

On March 25, 1986, President Aquino signed Presidential Proclamation No. 3, known as the "Freedom Constitution". Article I, Section 3 of this provisional constitution abolished the Regular Batasang Pambansa inter alia:

Section 3. ARTICLE VIII (The Batasang Pambansa), ARTICLE IX (The Prime Minister and the Cabinet), ARTICLE XVI (Amendments), ARTICLE XVII (Transitory Provisions) and all amendments thereto are deemed superseded by this Proclamation.

Sessions edit

  • First Regular Session: July 23, 1984 – June 7, 1985
  • Second Regular Session: July 22, 1985 – March 25, 1986

Leadership edit

  • Prime Minister
Cesar E. A. Virata (KBL, Parliamentary District of Cavite)
Salvador H. Laurel (UNIDO) appointed on February 25, 1986, concurrently Vice-President[6]
  • Deputy Prime Minister
Jose A. Roño, Jr. (KBL, Parliamentary District of Samar)
  • Speaker of the Batasan
Nicanor E. Yñiguez, Jr. (KBL, Parliamentary District of Southern Leyte)
  • Speaker Pro-Tempore
Salipada K. Pendatun (KBL, Parliamentary District of Maguindanao)
Macacuna B. Dimaporo (KBL, Parliamentary District of Lanao del Sur), elected 1985
  • Majority Floor Leader
Jose A. Roño (KBL, Parliamentary District of Samar)
  • Minority Floor Leader
Jose B. Laurel, Jr. (UNIDO, Parliamentary District of Batangas)

Legislation edit

The Regular Batasang Pambansa passed a total of 181 laws: Mga Batas Pambansa Blg. 703 to 884.

Major legislation edit

Members edit

 
Final composition of the Regular Batasang Pambansa.
Province/City Member Party[7]
Abra Arturo V. Barbero KBL
Agusan del Norte Edelmiro Amante Nacionalista
Agusan del Sur Democrito O. Plaza KBL
Aklan Rafael B. Legaspi UNIDO
Albay Pedro M. Marcellana Jr. UNIDO
Peter A. Sabido KBL
Victor Ziga UNIDO
Antique Arturo F. Pacificador[a] KBL
Aurora Luis S. Etcubañez KBL
Baguio Honorato Y. Aquino UNIDO
Basilan Candu I. Muarip CCA/UNIDO
Bataan Antonino Roman KBL
Batanes Fernando C. Faberes KBL
Batangas Manuel G. Collantes KBL
Jose Laurel Jr. UNIDO
Hernando Perez Nacionalista/UNIDO
Rafael R. Recto Nacionalista/UNIDO
Benguet Samuel Dangwa Independent
Bohol Eladio I. Chatto KBL
Ramon M. Lapez KBL
David B. Tirol KBL
Bukidnon Lorenzo S. Dinlayan KBL
Jose Maria Zubiri Jr. KBL
Bulacan Jesus S. Hipolito KBL
Rogaciano M. Mercado UNIDO
Teodulo C. Natividad KBL
Blas Ople KBL
Cagayan Antonio C. Carag KBL
Juan Ponce Enrile KBL
Alfonso R. Reyno Jr. KBL
Cagayan de Oro Aquilino Pimentel Jr. PDP–Laban
Caloocan Antonio C. Martinez UNIDO/PDP–Laban
Virgilio P. Robles UNIDO
Camarines Norte Roy Padilla Sr. UNIDO
Camarines Sur Ciriaco R. Alfelor UNIDO
Rolando R. Andaya UNIDO
Edmundo B. Cea UNIDO
Luis Villafuerte UNIDO
Camiguin Jose Paul N. Neri Independent
Capiz Enrique Belo Independent
Charles B. Escolin KBL
Catanduanes Jose M. Alberto KBL
Cavite Helena Benitez Independent KBL
Renato P. Dragon KBL
Cesar Virata KBL
Cebu Emerito S. Calderon KBL
Nenita Cortes-Daluz UNIDO
Ramon Durano III KBL
Regalado Maambong KBL
Luisito R. Patalinjug KBL
Adelino Sitoy KBL
Cebu City Antonio Cuenco UNIDO
Marcelo Fernan UNIDO
Cotabato Tomas B. Aga Jr. KBL
Carlos B. Cajelo KBL
Davao City Manuel M. Garcia KBL
Zafiro L. Respicio PDP–Laban
Davao del Norte Rodolfo P. del Rosario KBL
Rolando C. Marcial UNIDO/Laban
Rogelio M. Sarmiento KBL
Davao del Sur Alejandro Almendras KBL
Douglas Cagas PDP–Laban
Davao Oriental Merced Edith N. Rabat KBL
Eastern Samar Vicente O. Valley KBL
Ifugao Zosimo Jesus M. Paredes Jr. Independent KBL
Iligan Camilo P. Cabili KBL
Ilocos Norte Imee Marcos KBL
Antonio Raquiza KBL
Ilocos Sur Salacnib F. Baterina KBL
Eric Singson KBL
Iloilo Salvador B. Britanico KBL
Fermin Z. Caram Jr. UNIDO
Arthur Defensor Sr. UNIDO
Narciso D. Monfort KBL
Rafael P. Palmares Nacionalista
Isabela Rodolfo B. Albano KBL
Prospero G. Bello KBL
Simplicio B. Domingo Jr. KBL
Kalinga-Apayao David M. Puzon KBL
La Union Jose Aspiras KBL
Joaquin L. Ortega KBL
Laguna Arturo Brion Independent KBL
Rustico F. delos Reyes Jr. Independent
Wenceslao Lagumbay Nacionalista
Luis A. Yulo KBL
Lanao del Norte Abdullah D. Dimaporo KBL
Lanao del Sur Omar M. Dianalan KBL
Macacuna B. Dimaporo KBL
Las Piñas–Parañaque Jaime Ferrer UNIDO
Leyte Damian V. Aldaba KBL
Artemio E. Mate KBL
Emiliano J. Melgazo KBL
Benjamin Romualdez[b] KBL
Alberto S. Veloso KBL
Maguindanao Simeon Datumanong KBL
Salipada Pendatun[c] KBL
Makati Ruperto C. Gaite KBL
Malabon–Navotas–Valenzuela Manuel C. Domingo UNIDO
Jesus T. Tanchanco KBL
Manila Lito Atienza UNIDO
Eva Estrada Kalaw UNIDO
Carlos C. Fernando UNIDO
Mel Lopez UNIDO
Gonzalo Puyat II UNIDO
Arturo M. Tolentino KBL
Marinduque Carmencita Reyes KBL
Masbate Jolly T. Fernandez UNIDO
Venancio L. Yaneza Independent
Misamis Occidental Henry Y. Regalado Independent
Misamis Oriental Homobono A. Adaza Mindanao Alliance
Concordio C. Diel KBL
Mountain Province Victor S. Dominguez KBL
Negros Occidental Wilson P. Gamboa UNIDO
Antonio M. Gatuslao Independent
Roberto A. Gatuslao KBL
Jaime G. Golez KBL
Alfredo Marañon KBL
Roberto L. Montelibano KBL
Jose Y. Varela Jr. KBL
Negros Oriental Ricardo D. Abiera KBL
Andres C. Bustamante KBL
Emilio C. Macias II KBL
Northern Samar Edilberto A. del Valle KBL
Nueva Ecija Angel D. Concepcion KBL
Leopoldo D. Diaz KBL
Mario S. Garcia KBL
Eduardo Nonato Joson KBL
Nueva Vizcaya Leonardo B. Perez KBL
Occidental Mindoro Pedro T. Mendiola KBL
Olongapo Amelia Gordon KBL
Oriental Mindoro Rolleo L. Ignacio UNIDO
Jose Reynaldo V. Morente KBL
Palawan Ramon Mitra Jr. PDP–Laban
Pampanga Aber P. Canlas KBL
Rafael L. Lazatin UNIDO
Emigdio L. Lingad UNIDO
Juanita L. Nepomuceno UNIDO
Pangasinan Victor E. Agbayani Independent KBL
Gregorio S. Cedaña KBL
Felipe P. de Vera KBL
Demetrio G. Demetria Nacionalista/Liberal/UNIDO
Conrado Estrella Sr. KBL
Fabian S. Sison UNIDO
Pasay Jose Conrado Benitez KBL
Pasig–Marikina Emilio N. dela Paz Jr. UNIDO
Augusto S. Sanchez UNIDO
Quezon Cesar D. Bolaños Liberal/UNIDO
Bienvenido O. Marquez Jr. UNIDO
Hjalamar P. Quintana UNIDO/Nacionalista
Oscar F. Santos Nacionalista/UNIDO
Quezon City Ismael A. Mathay KBL
Orly Mercado UNIDO
Cecilia Muñoz-Palma UNIDO
Alberto Romulo UNIDO
Quirino Orlando C. Dulay KBL
Rizal Francisco S. Sumulong PDP–Laban/UNIDO
Emigdio S. Tanjuatco Jr. PDP–Laban/UNIDO
Romblon Natalio M. Beltran, Jr. UNIDO
Samar Jose A. Roño KBL
Fernando R. Veloso KBL
San Juan–Mandaluyong Neptali Gonzales UNIDO
Siquijor Manolito L. Asok KBL
Sorsogon Salvador Escudero KBL
Augusto G. Ortiz KBL
South Cotabato Rufino B. Bañas UNIDO
Hilario B. De Pedro UNIDO
Rogelio V. Garcia UNIDO
Southern Leyte Nicanor E. Yñiguez KBL
Sultan Kudarat Benjamin C. Duque KBL
Sulu Hussin T. Loong KBL
Surigao del Norte Constantino C. Navarro Sr. KBL
Surigao del Sur Higino C. Llaguno Jr. KBL
Taguig–Pateros–Muntinlupa Rene Cayetano KBL
Tarlac Homobono C. Sawit KBL
Mercedes C. Teodoro KBL
Tawi-Tawi Celso J. Palma KBL
Zambales Antonio M. Diaz KBL
Zamboanga City Cesar Climaco[d] CCA/UNIDO
Zamboanga del Norte Romeo G. Jalosjos KBL
Guardson R. Lood KBL
Zamboanga del Sur Vicente M. Cerilles KBL
Bienvenido A. Ebarle KBL
Isidoro E. Real, Jr. CCA/UNIDO
  1. ^ The Supreme Court proclaimed Pacificador's opponent, Evelio Javier, as the winner in the 1984 election on September 22, 1986.[8]
  2. ^ Preferred to sit as Ambassador of the Philippines to the United States.
  3. ^ Died on January 27, 1985.
  4. ^ Assassinated on November 14, 1984.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Resolution No. 38". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. February 15, 1986. Retrieved March 30, 2020. ... adopted by the First Batasang Pambansa ...
  2. ^ "Omnibus Election Code – Article XXV". Commission on Elections (Philippines). December 3, 1985. Retrieved March 30, 2020. ... passed by the First Batasang Pambansa ...
  3. ^ Heherson T. Alvarez (February 26, 2011). "How we kept faith with Edsa in US". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  4. ^ "Katherine Ellison". Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University. n.d. Archived from the original on January 7, 2003. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Philippine News Agency (May 3, 2008). "Award-winning US newspaper that exposed Marcos corruption outsources customer care to RP". Positive News Media. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  6. ^ President Corazon Aquino appointed Vice-President Salvador Laurel on February 25, 1986 which was confirmed by the Regular Batasang Pambansa.
  7. ^ Jose P. Abletez (1989). Foundations of Freedom: A History of Philippine Congresses. Merriam & Webster. University of Michigan. ISBN 9789711035372.
  8. ^ Javier v. COMELEC, retrieved February 11, 2020

External links edit