Research on Statute Law

Question 1

What are statute laws?

Answer 1

The rules and regulations promulgated by competent authorities; enactments of legislative bodies (national or local), executive or presidential issuances, and rules and regulations of administrative and judicial agencies. Its purpose is to regulate the system of order and safety.

Question 2

How is Statute Law created?

Answer 2

1. A representative from the house sponsors an idea known as a bill and it goes to a committee to study it
2. That bill is debated among the members of the committee
3. If the bill is agreed upon then it moves to the senate also known as the legislature

Question 3

What is a treaty?

Answer 3

An agreement or a contract between two (bilateral) or more (multilateral) nations or sovereigns, entered into by agents appointed (generally the Secretary of Foreign Affairs or ambassadors) for the purpose and duly sanctioned by supreme powers of the respective countries.

Question 4

Other terms for treaty (3)

Answer 4

1. Pact
2. Convention
3. Charter

Question 5

What are executive agreements?

Answer 5

Treaties that do not have legislative sanctions that may or may not have legislative authorization and have limited execution by constitutional restrictions. This is because they do not have concurrence (2/3 vote) of the Senate

Question 6

Are international agreements the same as executive agreements?

Answer 6

No. They are different

Question 7

How does a treaty or international agreement become valid and effective?

Answer 7

It is not valid unless concurred in by at least two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the Senate (2/3 vote of Senate)

Question 8

General steps in treaty-making (2)

Answer 8

1. Negotiation
2. Approval or ratification

Question 9

Cite Art. VII, Sec. 21 of the 1987 Constitution

Answer 9

No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate

Question 10

Powers of the President with regards to treaties and international agreements (2)

Answer 10

1. Enter into international treaties or agreements as the national welfare and interest may require and;
2. Contract and guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic, subject to such limitations as may be provided by Law

Question 11

What is the Tripoli Agreement?

Answer 11

The agreement establishes autonomy in the Southern Philippines within the realm of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines. It defines the autonomous territory and delineates the competence of the central and regional governments.

Question 12

Where to find official texts of Treaties? (4)

Answer 12

1. The Official Gazette
2. Department of Foreign Affairs Treaty Series (DFATS)
3. United Nations Treaty Series (UNTS)
4. The University of the Philippines Law Center’s Philippine Treaty Series (PTS)

Question 13

Two possible sources to find latest treaties (2)

Answer 13

1. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
2. Senate of the PH

Question 14

Is there a complete reposity of all treaties entered into by the Philippines?

Answer 14

None

Question 15

These are the laws enacted during Martial Law (2)

Answer 15

1. Presidential Decrees by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos
2. Batas Pambansa by Phil. Parliament

Question 16

Why did the laws passed by the 1987 Constitution start from RA 6636?

Answer 16

Because the last RA promulgated by Congress before Martial Law was RA 6635

Question 17

The Senate passes laws regarding the following: (2)

Answer 17

1. National issues
2. Long-term policies

Question 18

The HoR passes laws regarding the following: (2)

Answer 18

1. Localized issues
2. Constituency-based issues

Question 19

General rule in determining if a law is referred to the archives of the house that introduced the law

Answer 19

If the law passed is older than the last three or four Congresses, then it has to be referred to the archives of the house that introduced the law. (i.e., 15th Congress laws are in the archives. We are currently 19th congress)
Every law after the 4 latest Congresses, including the current one, are in the archives. Otherwise, it can be found on their websites

Question 20

What are executive orders?

Answer 20

Administrative acts, orders, and regulations of the Presidents that touch on:
1. The organization or mode of operation of the government, rearranging or adjusting districts, divisions or parts of the Philippines
2. Acts and commands governing the general performance of duties of public officials and employees or disposing of issues of general concerns

Question 21

What are Proclamations by the President?

Answer 21

Orders fixing the dates when specific laws, resolutions, or orders cease to take effect and any information concerning matters of public moment determined by law, resolution or executive orders

Question 22

When searching for Preisdent EOs or Proclamations, Admin. Orders, and Memorandum Orders/Circulars, what is needed?

Answer 22

Year of promulgation is a must or needed in searching for EOs, Proclamations, Admin. Orders, and Memorandum Orders and Circulars.
If the year is not available, President and/or Executive Secretary issuing must be stated

Question 23

What are Administrative Rules and Regulations?

Answer 23

Orders, rules, and regulations issued by the heads of government agencies for the effective enforcement of laws within their respective jurisdiction (particularly AOs,MOs,and MCs)

Question 24

Where to access Administrative Rules and Regulations? (3)

Answer 24

1. Their own websites
2. OG
3. National Administative Register