Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Kongreso / Congress |
Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan / House of Representatives |
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senado / Senate
|
LEGAL FRAMEWORK |
Electoral Law |
22 July 1985 Last amendment: 23/02/1995 |
Mode of designation |
directly elected 297 |
Constituencies |
- 238 single-member constituencies for majority vote
- one nationwide constituency for proportional representation vote |
Voting system |
Mixed:
Each elector casts two votes: one for a candidate and the other for a party.
- 238 seats filled by single member plurality systems ("first past the post")
- 59 seats filled by party lists nominees proposed by indigenous, but non religious, minority groups. Parties must pass a 2% vote threshold to gain parliamentary representation. A maximum of three seats is awarded to each party.
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by elections.
Voting is not compulsory. |
Voter requirements |
- age: 18 years
- Philippine citizenship
- residence in the country for at least one year and in home constituency for at least six months immediately preceding election day
- disqualifications: insanity, adjudged incompetence, conviction for crime involving disloyalty to government or against national security
|
CANDIDATES |
Eligibility |
Qualified electors
- age: 25 years
- Philippine citizenship by birth
- literacy
- residence in district for at least one year immediately preceding the poll
- ineligibility: bribery of voters or election officials, terrorist action, exceeding campaign expenses ceiling, prohibited financial dealings |
Incompatibilities |
- any other office or employment in the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries
- legal counsel (in courts, electoral tribunals or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies)
- government contractor |
Candidacy requirements |
- candidatures by parties or independents, must be submitted at least 45 days before polling to the provincial election supervisor concerned
- under the party-list system, each party must submit a list of at least five nominees |