NON-LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF THE CONGRESS

NON-LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF THE CONGRESS

1.       Constituent (Article XVII)- amendments to or revision of the Constitution may be proposed by the Congress, acting as constituent assembly.

2.      Electoral(Art VI, Sec 16(1))-to elect its officers

     (Art VII Sec 4(4)&(5))-the power to canvass election returns for the President and Vice-President and promulgate rules for the canvassing of the certificates.

3.      Executive(Art VII Sec 21)-concurrence validates any treaty or international agreement

       Art VI Sec 23(1)-sole power to declare the existence of war

4.      Judicial(Art XI Sec 3(1 to 8))-power to impeach the President, Vice-President, members of the Supreme Court, Constitutional Commission and Ombudsman.

  (Art VII Sec 19)-power to revoke, extend or suspend martial law proclamation and privilege of writ of habeas corpus.

5.      Investigative(Art VI Sec 21 & 22)-Power of inquiry(Legislative Investigation where anyone may be summoned except the President and SC members, & Oversight Function where the department heads  may appear only through the request of the House or through the initiative of the department heads)

       Power of Contempt-power to punish contumacious witness for contempt

       Question Hour(sec 22)- pertains to the power to conduct a question hour, the objective of which is to obtain information in pursuit of Congress’ oversight function.

6.      Power relative to natural resources(Art XII Sec 2)- The Congress may allow utilization of natural resources by Fil Citizen , as well as cooperative fish farming, wit priority to subsistence fishermen and fishworkers in rivers, lakes, bays and lagoons.