Republic of the Philippines

PROVINCE OF SORSOGON
Sorsogon City

SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN

RESOLUTION NO. _________

RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE INTERNAL RULES
SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN OF SORSOGON.

OF

PROCEDURE

OF

THE

WHEREAS, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan deems it proper and necessary to adopt/approve its
Internal Rules of Procedure (IRP) pursuant to section 50 of the Local Government Code of 1991.
NOW, THEREFORE, on motion of Hon. ____________, unanimously seconded, the Board
RESOLVED, as it is hereby DONE, to adopt and approve THE INTERNAL RULES OF
PROCEDURE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN, as follows:
INTERNAL RULES OF PROCEDURES OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN OF THE
PROVINCE OF SORSOGON.
RULE I MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 Composition The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Sorsogon shall be
composed of:
A) The Vice Governor as its presiding officer
B) The ten (10) regular Sanggunian members elected from & representing the 1 st and 2nd districts
of the province pro-rata.
C) The president of the provincial chapter of the liga ng mga barangay;
D) The president of the Panlalawigan Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan;
E) The president of the provincial federation of Sanggunian members of municipalities and
cities.
Section 2 Oath or affirmation of Members The Members of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, either elective or ex-officio, shall take their oath or affirmation, collectively or individually,
before they can exercise their respective duties, responsibilities and functions, and enjoy the benefits and
privileges appurtenant thereof.
RULE II PRESIDING OFFICER
Section 1 The Presiding Officer The Vice Governor shall be the Presiding Officer of the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan and serve as Ex-Officio Co-Chairman in the Regular Committees of the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Section 2 Right to Vote The Presiding Officer shall vote only to break the tie (Par. (a), Sec.
49, RA 7160).
Section 3. Acting/Temporary Presiding Officer In the event of the inability of the regular
Presiding Officer to preside at a Sanggunian Session, the Members present and constituting a quorum
shall elect from among themselves a temporary presiding officer. He shall certify within ten (10) days
from the passage of ordinance enacted and resolution adopted by the Sanggunian in the session over
which he temporary presided. (par. (b), Sec. 49, Ibid).
RULE III SESSIONS AND QUORUM

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Section 1 Regular Sessions The Board shall hold at least four (4) regular sessions per month,
which regular sessions shall be held on a Monday, PROVIDED that when such day is a non-working day
or a holiday, the Board, in its stead, shall hold the session during the next working day.
Section 2 - Special Sessions Special Sessions shall be held only in the following manner:
a) When public interest so demands, special sessions may be called by the local chief
executive or by a majority of the members of the Sanggunian;
b) A written notice to the Sanggunian Members stating the date, time and purpose of the
meeting shall be served personally or left with a member of his stay at least twenty-four
[24] hours before the special session is held;
c) Unless otherwise agreed upon by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, there
being a quorum, no other matter may be considered at a special session except those
stated in the notice (Art. 105, Ibid).
Section 3 Adjournment from day to day Any session regular or special, may adjourn from
day to day, in case the volume of business is completed;
Section 4 Sessions open to Public The sessions shall be open to the public unless a closed
door or executive session is ordered by a majority vote of the members present, there being a quorum, for
public interests or for reasons of decency or morality.
Section 5 Executive Sessions when the Sanggunian decides to hold an executive session, the
Presiding Officer shall direct that the galleries and hallways be cleared, if this is not feasible, the session
may be held inside a conference room behind closed doors;
Section 6 - Confidential Documents When confidential documents or papers, marked as such,
are considered at executive sessions, their existence or contents shall not be revealed, without leave of the
Sanggunian.
Section 7 - Quorum
a) A majority of all the members of Sanggunian having been elected & qualified shall
constitute a quorum to transact official business.
b) Should a question of quorum be raised during a session, the Presiding Officer shall
immediately proceed to call the roll of the Members and thereafter announce the results.
c) Where there is no quorum, the Presiding Officer may declare a recess until such time a
quorum is constituted, or a majority of the members present may adjourn from day to day
and may compel the immediate attendance of any member absent without justifiable
cause by designating a member of the Sanggunian, to be assisted by a member or
members of the police force assigned in the territorial jurisdiction of the LGU concerned,
to arrest the absent members and present him at the session.
d) If there is still no quorum despite the enforcement of the immediately preceding subsection, no business shall be transacted. The Presiding Officer, upon proper motion duly
approved by the members present shall then declare the session adjourned for lack of
quorum.
Section 8. Suspension or Adjournment of Meetings No meeting shall be suspended or
adjourned except when so directed by the Sanggunian by a majority vote, the presiding officer may, in his
discretion, declare a recess in short intervals or suspend or adjourn the meeting in case of emergency, or
for other valid reasons.
RULE IV STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1 The Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall have the following regular or standing
committees, the general jurisdiction of which are herein stated:

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1.

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES All matters relating to

agriculture, food production and agri-business, agricultural economics and research, soil
survey and conservation, agricultural education and expansion services, animal industry
and livestock, quarantine; farm credit, fisheries and aquatic resources.

2.

COMMITTEE ON BARANGAY AFFAIRS all matters relating to barangay

affairs, including the implementation and institutionalization of the Katarungang
Pambarangay.

3.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS All matters relating to

the approval of the budget, the appropriation of funds for the payment of obligations or
other purposes; the determination of compensation of personnel; the reorganization of
local offices; taxation ordinances and monetary and fiscal matters.

4.

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, POPULATION & SOCIAL SERVICES All

matters relating to health; scientific and technological research, development and
advancement; public health hygiene; medical hospitals and quarantine services; social
welfare and ameliorative services, labor employment and manpower development,
including special program for the disabled and the senior citizens.

5.

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND CULTURE all matters relating to

education and culture, local schools, colleges and universities, libraries and museums,
non-formal and community adult educations.

6.

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS All matters relating to

planning, construction, maintenance, improvement and repair of public buildings,
highways, bridges, roads, parks, shrines, monuments and other public edifices, drainage,
sewerage and flood control and protection, irrigation and land, water works services and
the likes.

7.

COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS, TRANSPORTATION & UTILITIES

All matters relating to transport and communication facilities including but not limited
to franchising, regulations and control of its activities.
8. COMMITTEE
ON
LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
AND
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT All matters relating to local government, except barangay affairs,
development of rural; and urban areas; upliftment of the conditions of their inhabitants
and delivery of basic services particularly water supply, housing, electrification, zoning,
human ecology and settlements and similar services, citizens participation in
development and coordinating advisory councils and Disaster Coordinating Councils,
Local Government Personnel Administration as well as the executive training of local
officials and employees.
9. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY All matters relating to the
maintenance of public order, civil defense, police matters and agencies and other private
security agencies implementation of national laws and issuances and enforcement of local
ordinances.
10. COMMITTEE ON RULES, PRIVILEGES & AMENDMENTS All matter relating
to the rules of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, order and calendar of business and
amendments thereto.
11. COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, TRADE, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY All matters
relating to tourism and the tourist industry, consumer protection, trade, commerce and
industry, and the development and promotion of cottage or small scale industry and other
pioneering industries including investments.
12. COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS All matters relating to fiscal, monetary and
financial affairs of the provincial government, including taxation, revenue, borrowing,
credit and bonded indebtedness.
13. COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT All matters relating
to the youth and the promotion of their moral, physical, intellectual, and social wellbeing, the organization of youth councils and the development of sports and ideals of
sportsmanship in the community.
14. COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE, GOOD GOVERNMENT AD HUMAN RIGHTS All
matters relating to the administration of justice, penal colony, provincial jail, detention
centers, all matters relating to the promotion of good government and the abatement of

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graft and corruption, the enhancement and protection of human rights; assistance to
victims of human rights violations and their families and the prevention of or punishment
for violations thereof.
15. COMMITTEE ON LIVELIHOOD All matters relating to programs that will improve
the Socio-Economic Conditions o based on the needs of the people.
16. COMMITTEE ON WOMEN AND FAMILY RELATIONS All matters relating to
women and family relations aiming to uphold the constitutional precept that the family is
the autonomous basic social institution that our society has to cherish and protect with
emphasis on the role of woman as mother and guiding light of the home. This committee
shall also take cognizance all matters and issues affecting the welfare of the senior
citizens within the province.
17. COMMITTEE ON URBAN HOUSING AND LAND USE This committee shall
have the general jurisdiction to take cognizance on all matters and issues relating to the
utilization, classification and re-classification of urban land.
18. COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES - This
committee shall have the general jurisdiction to take cognizance on all matters and issues
relating to the environment and natural resources within the territorial jurisdiction of the
province. Likewise, it has the authority to initiate passage of appropriate legislative
measures for the protection, conservation, utilization and development of the
environment and natural resources.
19. COMMITTEE ON ENERGY - This committee shall have the general jurisdiction to
take cognizance on all matters and issues relating to energy and power. Likewise, it has
the authority to initiate passage of appropriate legislative measures relative to the
utilization and development of power and energy.
20. COMMITTEE ON URBAN POOR AND LABOR - This committee shall have the
general jurisdiction to take cognizance on all matters and issues affecting the urban poor
and labor within the territorial jurisdiction of the province. Likewise, it has the authority
to initiate passage of appropriate legislative measures for the protection and upliftment of
the urban poor and labor sectors.
21. COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVES -- To help in establishing people organization
and promote cooperative ideology, to initiate, support, implement, coordinate and
monitor community based programs, such as income generating projects, livelihood
projects, to assist the different cooperatives and associations in seeking financial
assistance to different donors giving grants to different cooperatives and association in
the Philippines, to develop the potentials and capabilities of people by providing them
livelihood opportunities for self-reliance.
22. COMMITTEE ON GAMES AND AMUSEMENT This committee shall have the
general jurisdiction to take cognizance on all matters and issues directly and principally
relating to all forms and places of gaming and amusements .
23. COMMITTEE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND PREPAREDNESS AND
CLIMATE CHANGE -- This committee shall have the general jurisdiction to take
cognizance on all matters and issues directly and principally relating to policies and
programs to mitigate the impact of natural and man-made disasters. This committee shall
also have the general jurisdiction to take cognizance on all matters and issues directly and
principally relating to policies and programs to mitigate the impact of climate change to
the environment, as characterized by global warming, greenhouse effect and rising of sea
levels
Section 2 Composition Each standing committee shall be composed of a Chairman, a Vice
Chairman and at least three (3) members. The Chairman shall be elected by the members of the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan, with the right to designate the Vice Chairman and his members, taking into
consideration the district representation of the members.
Section 3. Limitations.
.
A)
A member of the sanggunian shall be a chairperson of maximum of three (3) standing
committees.

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B)

A member of the sanggunian shall be a vice-chairperson of maximum of three (3)

standing committees.
No member of the sanggunian shall be a member of no more than eight (8) standing
committees.

C)

No member of a committee shall vote in any matter regarding which he has a substantial
pecuniary interest, whether direct or indirect.
Section 4. Special Committees A special committee may be created by the Sanggunian for
special purposes and as the needs for them arise. They shall cease as soon as the body receives their
reports unless new assignments are given to them. They are subject to the same rules governing standing
committees.
Section 5 - Vacancies - When a permanent vacancy occurs in a Committee, the same shall be
filled by the Presiding Officer.
Section 6 - Place and Time of Meeting Committee meetings, conferences or hearing shall be
held in the Session hall of the Sanggunian or, whether necessary or the interest of the public demands in
any other place so designated by the majority of its members.
Section 7 Regular & Special Committee Meetings The committee shall determine the
frequency of their regular meetings. Special meetings may be called by the chairman or majority of the
members after due notice, including the agenda of the meeting, being served in advance upon each
member. Majority of all the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. However, a committee
may authorize a smaller number to conduct a public hearing on draft ordinances or resolutions pending
consideration before it.
Section 8 Committee Reports and Orders of the day Committee reports or orders on any
measure shall be considered in formal meetings. All committees shall report to the Sanggunian on every
matter referred to them by the Presiding Officer. When reporting out a draft ordinance, copies thereof
shall be furnished the Sanggunian members at least five (5) days preparatory to its consideration on the
floor.
When a Committee submits a report, all its members are presumed to have concurred in
the report and shall be precluded from opposing the same, unless his objection thereto has been
entered or made on record during the Committee deliberation or unless satisfactory explanation is
made by the member concerned.
A committee, which failed within thirty (30) days to submit a report on a particular matter
assigned to it may be discharged by the body from further consideration of said matter and may
through the same motion, assign it to another committee or submit the matter directly to the body
for immediate disposition.
RULE V ORDER AND CALENDAR OF BUSINESS
Section 1 Order of Business The order of business of the Sanggunian for every session shall
be:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Call to Order
1-Minute prayer/meditation (optional)
Roll Call
Approval of the Minutes of previous session/s
First Reading/Referral to committees of proposed ordinances, resolutions, petitions and
other measures for appropriate actions/recommendations.
6. Committee Reports
7. Calendar of Business

8. Business for the Day

9.
10.
11.
12.

Proposed Ordinances/Resolutions for Third Reading

Other Matters/Announcements
Privileged Hour
Adjournment

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Section 2 - Approval of Minutes The minutes of each session shall be submitted to the
Sanggunian for approval.
Section 3 - Calendar of Business The Calendar of business consists of:

Business of the Day Proposed Ordinances, resolutions and other measures set
on the calendar of the foregoing classifications, but also pending consideration by the
Body. Any matter not included in the Calendar of Business may be set for consideration
on motion of a Member, with unanimous consent/approval of the Sanggunian Members
present at a session, there being a quorum.
The calendar of business shall contain a brief description of each item of business to be
taken up during the session, indicating the source, in case of communications, endorsements,
petitions, memorials, and memoranda; the name of the authors, in the case of motions,
resolutions, ad ordinances, and the committee to which have been referred.
Section 4 - Committee Reports Committee reports shall be rendered by the standing
committees in the order they are listed in the rules of the Sangguniang, then by special Committees, in the
order of their creation.
The report consisting of the findings and recommendations of the committee shall be
made by its chairman, or if he dissents with the majority opinion, by committee members
concurring thereto and duly designated for the purpose.
Section 5 Third and Final Reading Draft ordinances, resolutions and other legislative
matters scheduled for the third and final reading shall be called in the order set forth in the Calendar of
Business and shall be considered in the manner prescribed hereafter, without prejudice to the provisions
of Art 107 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7160.

RULE VI THE PRIVILEGED HOUR

Section 1. Privileged Hour on regular meetings and after determination of a quorum, there
shall be a privileged hour. Any member may speak on any matter of general or collective interest and/or
personal privilege. If more than one member desires to make use his privilege, the first to apply, either in
writing, in the Office of the Secretary, or verbally in open session, shall be given precedence. The
privilege shall not be more than one (1) hour. If, after a member has finished, sufficient time is left of the
hour, the second member who has asked to speak may do so, and so on successively, until the hour is
resumed.
RULE VII

PROCEDURE FOR ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER

LEGISLATIVE MATTERS.

Section 1 Ordinances and Resolutions, distinguished Legislative actions of a general and

permanent character shall be enacted in the form of ordinances, while those which are of temporary
character, shall be passed in the form of resolutions. Matters relating to proprietary functions ad to private
concerns shall also be acted upon by resolutions. (Art 107, Rule XVII, IRR RA 7160).
Section 2 - Draft Ordinances/Resolutions Every Ordinance and/or Resolution presented for
consideration shall be respectively dominated as Draft Ordinance and/or Draft Resolutions and, upon
approval, each shall be called Provincial Ordinance or Provincial Resolutions, as the case may be.
Section 3 Ordinances and Resolutions The following rules shall govern the enactment of
ordinances and resolutions:
a. Proposed ordinances and resolutions shall be in writing and shall contain an assigned number,
a title or caption, an enacting or ordaining clause, and the date of its proposed effectivity. In
addition, every proposed ordinance shall be accompanied by a brief explanatory note
containing the justification for its approval. It shall be signed by the author or authors and
submitted to the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at its next meeting.

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b. A resolution shall be enacted in the same manner prescribed for an ordinance, except that it
need not go through a third reading for its final consideration, unless decided otherwise by a
majority of all the Sanggunian members.
c. No ordinance or resolution shall be considered on second reading in any regular meeting
unless it has been reported bout by the proper committee to which it was referred or certified
as urgent by the local chief executive.
d. Any legislative matter duly certified by the local chief executive as urgent, whether or not it
is included in the calendar of business, may be presented and considered by the body at the
same meeting without need of suspending the rules.
e. The Secretary to the Sanggunian of the province shall prepare copies of the proposed
ordinances or resolutions in the form it was passed on second reading, and shall distribute to
each Sanggunian Member a copy thereof, except that a measure certified by the local chief
executive concerned as urgent may be submitted for final voting immediately after debate or
amendment during the second reading.
f.

No ordinance or resolution passed by the Sanggunian in a regular or special session duly

called for the purpose shall be valid unless approved by a majority of the members present,
there being a quorum. Any ordinance or resolution authorizing or directing the payment of
money or creating liability, shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all the
Sanggunian Members for its passage.

Section 4 - Erroneous Referral An erroneous referral of a proposed ordinance or resolution

may be corrected any day after approval of the minutes. Only the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the
Committee to which the proposed ordinance or resolution was erroneously referred, as well as the
Chairman or the Vice Chairman of the Committee claiming jurisdiction over the proposed ordinance or
resolution, may move that the referral be declared erroneous, and ask for its correction. However, the
Presiding Officer may, at this discretion, motu-propio, rectify an erroneous referral.
Section 5 Consolidation or Substitution of Draft Ordinance/Resolution Draft ordinance or
resolution may be consolidated or substituted by the committee concerned, and all its members approving
the same shall be considered co-authors thereof in the order of the names shown therein.
Section 6 Period to Report - The Committee shall submit a report on the proposed ordinance
or resolution within thirty (3) days after it has been referred to it.
If the Committee Report on a proposed ordinance or resolution is favorable it shall be
included in the Calendar of Business for the next session.
If the Committee Report on a proposed ordinance or resolution is not favorable, it shall
be laid on the table and, within ten (10) days, there from notice of the action taken shall be
furnished the author or authors concerned stating the reasons for such action. Provided, however,
that within five (5) days after receipt of the notice, the Sanggunian may in session assembled
reconsider the Committee recommendation by a majority vote of the members present.
Section 7- Urgent Measures Any legislative matter duly certified by the Local Chief Executive
as urgent, whether or not it is included in the Calendar of Business, may be presented and considered by
the Body at the same meeting without need of suspending the rules.
The Sanggunian, likewise, on motion made by the Chairman of the Committee concerned
or, in his absence, the Vice-Chairman, may consider a proposed ordinance or resolution as urgent
and immediate consideration thereof shall be in order.
Provided, that before a proposed resolution is referred to the appropriate committee the
same may also be treated as urgent matter upon motion of its proponent.
However, this will not apply to resolutions affecting budgetary matters, local
development plans and public investment programs.
Section 8 - Distribution of Copies after Second Reading The Secretary shall prepare copies
of the proposed ordinance or resolution in the form it was passed on second reading, and shall distribute
to each Sanggunian member a copy thereof, at least five (5) days prior to session except that a measure
certified by the Local Chief Executive concerned as urgent may be submitted for final voting immediately
after debate or amendment during the second reading.

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Section 9 - Substantive Motions Motion may be presented orally or in writing and considered
according to the rules prescribed for ordinances and resolutions. Provided, however, that any motion
which, in the opinion of the Body, may be acted upon without reference to any committee may be
considered immediately for final action. An urgent motion, substantive in character and presented orally,
shall, if approved, be written out by the Secretary in resolution or ordinance form, as the case may be.
Section 10 Approval of Ordinances Every ordinance enacted by the Sanggunian shall be
presented to the Local Chief Executive for approval. If the Local Chief Executive concerned approve the
same, he shall affix his signature on each and every page thereof, otherwise, he shall veto it and return the
same with his objections to the Sanggunian, which may proved to reconsider the same.
Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the ordinance or resolution, the Local Chief
Executive shall return the said ordinance or resolution to the Sanggunian with either his approval
or his veto. If he does not return it within that period, the ordinance or resolution shall be deemed
approved. (Art. 108, Rule XVII, IRR of RA 7160).
Section 11 Veto Power of the Governor
1. The Governor may veto any ordinance or resolution on the ground that it is ultra vires or
prejudicial to the public welfare, stating his reasons therefore in writing.
2. The Local Chief Executive has the power to veto any particular item or items of any
appropriation ordinance, an ordinance or resolution adopting a local development plan
and public investment program or an ordinance directing the payment of money or
creating liability. In such case, the veto shall not affect the item or items which are not
objected to. The vetoed item or items shall not affect unless the Sanggunian overrides the
veto in the manner as provided in the immediately preceding; otherwise, the item or items
in the appropriation ordinance of the previous years corresponding to those vetoed shall
be deemed re-enacted.
3. The Local Chief Executive may veto an ordinance or resolution only once. The
Sanggunian may override the veto of the local chief executive concerned by two thirds
(2/3) vote of its members, thereby making the ordinance effective even without the
approval of the local chief executive concerned. (Art. 109).
Section 12 Effectivity of Ordinances/Resolutions Every Ordinance or resolution shall take
effect after ten (10) days from the date of its passage, unless the ordinance or resolution itself provides a
different specific date (Art. 113, Rule XVII, IRR of RA 7160).
Section 13 Filing of Approved Ordinance/Resolutions Approved ordinances and
resolutions of the Sanggunian shall be kept in separate files and numbered consecutively throughout the
calendar year.
Section 14 Posting and Publication of Ordinance with penal Sanction
1. Ordinance with penal sanctions shall be posted at conspicuous places in the Provincial
Capitol and at least three (3) public places in the capital town of the province for a
minimum period of three (3) consecutive weeks.
Such ordinances shall also be published in a newspaper of general circulation,
unless, otherwise provided therein, said ordinance shall take effect on the day following
its publication, or at the end of the period of posting, whichever occurs later.
2. Any public officer or employee who violates an ordinance may be meted administrative
disciplinary action without prejudice to the filing of the appropriate civil or criminal
action.
3. The Secretary to the Sanggunian concerned shall transmit official copies of each
ordinances to the chief executive officer within seven (7) days following the approval of
said ordinance for publication. (Art. 114, Rule XVII, IRR of RA 7160).
RULE VIII THE MINUTES

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Section 1 Contents The Sanggunian shall keep the minutes of its proceedings which shall
comprise a succinct and exact account of the business transacted and the actions taken thereon. The
minutes must clearly show the following:

Nature of the meeting, whether regular or special;

Date, time and place of the meeting;
Members present and absent;
Whether minutes of previous meeting were approved;
Every resolution and ordinances in full; if the resolution or ordinance was not approved
unanimously, a brief statement of the minority opinion;
Nominal voting
All main motions, except those withdrawn, points of order and appeals, whether
sustained;
Note message of the Local Chief Executive, in full, and the time of adjournment

Section 2 Original and subsequent Copies The original copy of the minutes shall be signed
by the Members of the Sanggunian present at the meeting, showing those who voted for, and those who
voted against, its approval. Each copy of the minutes must be signed by the Presiding Officer and the
Secretary.
Section 3 Reading and Approval the minutes of every meeting shall be read and approved
by a majority of the Members present at the meeting at which they are read and, if necessary, corrected by
the same vote by general consent. The reading of the minutes shall not be interrupted or suspended except
by unanimous consent of the Body.

RULE IX DECORUM AND DEBATE

Section 1 Recognition of a member to Speak When any member desires to deliver any
remark to the Sanggunian, he/she shall rise and request the Chair to have the floor, which consent shall be
necessary before he may proceed. When two or more members rise at the same time, the Presiding Officer
shall name the member who is to speak first and shall alternate the floor between those who wish to speak
for and against a given question.
Section 2 - Decorum and Debate The member who obtained the floor shall confine himself to
the question under debate, avoiding personalities, ad shall conduct himself with proper decorum.
If any member, by his speech or behavior, transgresses the Rules of the Sanggunian, the
Presiding Officer shall call him to order, and the Sanggunian shall, if appealed to, decide on the
case without debate, except for brief remarks by the appellant, explaining is appeal for not more
than five (5) minutes, if the decision n in favor of the Member called to order, he may proceed,
but not otherwise.
Section 3 Time Limit for Speeches No member of the Sanggunian shall consume more than
ten (10) minutes in debate on any question, or speak for more than once on any question at the same
meeting, without leave of the body.
After three (3) members have spoken in favor, and two (2) against a question, or only one
speech shall have been delivered in favor and none against, a motion to close the debate shall be
in order. If said motion is approved, the Sanggunian shall proceed to consider amendments to the
question. Remarks on each amendment by a member shall not exceed five (5) minutes.
Section 4 Sponsor to Open Close Debate The member reporting a measure for a committee
or a proponent deliberating the sponsorship speech of a draft legislation may open and close the debate
within the time permitted each member by the Rules of the Sanggunian.
Section 5 - Conduct During Sessions During sessions, the members shall observe proper
decorum, they shall remain in their seat during roll call or when a vote is being taken and no one shall

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pass between a Member who has the floor and the chair. While the Presiding Officer is addressing the
Sanggunian, no member shall walk out or cross the session hall.
Section 6 Discipline of Members The Sanggunian may also punish members for disorderly
behavior or habitual absenteeism and, with the concurrence of two third (2/3) of all its members, impose
the penalties or suspension for not more than sixty (60) days, without pay.
Section 7 Only Members May Participate at Deliberations In all deliberations, only
members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall be allowed to participate
Section 8 Smoking in Session Hall is Prohibited No person shall be permitted at any time to
smoke within the Session Hall during sessions of the Sanggunian.
Section 9 Attire During the meetings, the members of the Sanggunian shall be in proper
attire. In case of male members, proper attire consists of either Business Attire, Barong Tagalog or Polo
Barong. As to the female members, it shall be in their Sundays best.
RULE X VOTES AND VOTING
Section 1 Manner of Voting Voting in the Sanggunian shall be done by voice, raising of
hand, rising or by roll call, unless a different method is prescribed by the Sanggunian for particular
question.
Section 2 Vote Required to Pass Ordinance/Resolution No ordinance or resolution passed
by the Sanggunian in a Regular or Special Session duly called for the purpose shall be valid unless
approved by a majority of the members present, there being a quorum, ordinance or resolutions creating
liability shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of all the Sanggunian Members for their
passage.
Section 3 Appeals When ruling of a chair is appealed and voting thereon results in a tie, the
appealed decision of the chair is considered affirmed.
Section 4 How Questions are Put to a Vote The Presiding Officer shall rise to put a question
into a vote by saying as many as are in favor of (stating the questions),say Yes and, after the
affirmative vote is expressed, as many as are opposed, say No.
If the chair doubts the vote or if a division is called, the Body shall divide. Those in the
affirmative shall be asked either to raise hand or rise from their seats, and then those in the
negative to do the same. In any case, the Presiding Officer shall rise to state decision.
Section 5 Nominal Voting The yes and no votes shall be taken and entered in the
minutes upon the passage of all ordinances upon all propositions creating any liability against the
province, and upon any other proposition if requested by any member, even after a division has been held.
When voting nominally, the Secretary shall call the roll of the members of the
Sanggunian in alphabetical order and, as each name is called, the member shall announce his vote
by saying yes or no, as the case may be, or abstain, if he is not voting. A member may
explain his vote not to exceed three (3) minutes.
After the roll call has been called, when voting nominally, the Secretary shall call in their
Alphabetical Order the names of those not voting or those who had abstained in the first call in
order that they may vote. After the second call of the roll, no request shall be entertained by the
chair to record any further votes.
Section 6 Change of Vote A member who arrives late at the meeting shall be permitted to
vote, provided that the result of voting has not been announced yet by the Chair.
Section 8 Prohibition No member can vote on a question in which he or any member of his
family within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, has a direct or personal pecuniary interest. This
does not, however, preclude any member from voting for himself for any position within the Sanggunian.
Section 9. No Motions during Voting No motion except on the question of presence or
absence of a quorum, shall be entertained during the voting.

Resolution No. 46-2016, further amending SP IRP

RULES XI RULES ON MOTIONS

Section 1 The following motions, in order of their precedence (from highest to lowest rank),
together with other motions herein after specified, shall govern conduct of business of the Sanggunian.
Privileged Motions
Rank 1 Fix the time at which to adjourn to provide a future time for the continuation
of the meeting in progress
Rank 2 To adjourn p to formally terminate the meeting in progress.
Rank 3 Take a recess to provide a brief intermission during the meeting.
Rank 4 Raise question of privilege - to assume immediate action upon a matter that
involves the comfort, convenience, rights or privileges of the Sanggunian or any of its Members.
Rank 5 Call for the Order of the day to bring before the body for consideration any
business assigned for a particular time.
Rank 6 Lay on the table to set aside a pending question for consideration at a later
but undetermined time.
Rank 7 Call for the previous question to suppress discussion on a pending question
and bring it immediately to a vote.
Rank 8 Modify the limits of debate to promote a standing restriction, either to
shorten or lengthen the time for the discussion of a pending question.
Rank 9 Postpone definitely to defer the consideration of a question to a definite time
in the future.
Rank 10 Commit or refer to a Committee to refer question or propositions to a
committee for study and recommendation.
Rank 11 Amend to modify a question to make it more acceptable to the Body.
Rank 12 Postpone Indefinitely to defer indefinitely the consideration of question.
MAIN MOTIONS
Rank 13 General main motions
Specific main motions (collectively rank 13 within order of precedence among
themselves).
1. Take from the Table to resume the consideration of a question that has been
previously laid on the table.
2. Reconsider to set aside the vote previously taken on a question and to reopen it
to a new discussion and vote.
3. Rescind or Repeal to render null and void a question previously passed.
4. Expunge to express strong disapproval to an action taken by the Body and have
it rescind and remove from the records.
5. Adopt/Report or Resolution to accept or agree to a report on resolution and
consider the same as the official act of the body.
Section 2 Incidental Motions - these motions have no fixed ranks and take
the question from which they arise:

precedence over

a. Suspend the Rules to allow the Body to do something which it is otherwise forbidden
by the rules or previously adopted orders of the Sanggunian.
b. Withdraw or Modify Motion - to remove a question from the consideration of the Body
or to modify the same.
c. Point of Order to call the attention to an error in the observance or enforcement of the
rules of Procedures.

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d. Object to Consideration of a Question to avoid the consideration of a question which

the Body considered irrelevant contentions, unprofitable, or generally objectionable.
e. Parliamentary Inquiry to request information on matters pertaining to parliamentary
rules and procedure.
f.

Point of Information to be informed of any matters related to a pending question or to

the Sanggunian.

g. Appeal from the Decision of the Chair to ask the Body to decide whether the ruling
made by the chair on question should be upheld or overruled.
h. Divide the House to verify the votes taken on a question or secure a more accurate
count of the vote.
i.

Divide the Question to divide long and complicated propositions into separate and
distinct parts to facilitate their consideration.

Section 3 Privileged Motions the motions to fix the time at which to adjourn, take a recess,
raise a question of privilege and call for orders of the day, are privileged motions and may be presented,
according to the order of their precedence even if any other motion or question is pending before the
Body. The motions to raise a question of privilege and to call for orders of the day may be made even if
someone has the floor.
The motion to adjourn or take a recess is in order even if a quorum is not present but not
when the body is engaged in voting or during the certification of the vote. If the Body has voted
to adjourn but there are still important announcements to be made, the Presiding Officer may
defer the adjournment of the meeting to allow the making of announcements.
Section 4 - Lay on the Table - Question laid on the table must be taken up not later than the
next regular meeting, otherwise they shall be considered abandoned and may only be brought up again by
a new motion.
Section 5 Call for the Previous Question - A motion calling for the previous question requires
for its approval two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, but action on the principal question to
which it is applied shall be determined by the vote necessary in each particular case as prescribed by the
Rules of Sanggunian.
A question may be postponed as a general order by a majority vote of the members
present.
Section 6 To Amend when a question is under a consideration, a motion to amend and a
motion to amend an amendment, shall be in order ad any of said amendments may be withdrawn before a
decision is had thereon, unless the proponents atop to adopt the amendments proposed in which case, the
same shall be considered part of the original motion. Amendments are allowed only up to the second
degree and any further amendments beyond said degree shall be considered out of order.
No motion on a subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under
color of amendment. An amendment which merely regret an affirmative proposition is likewise
out of order.
Section 7 Amendments to Title Amendments to the tile of an ordinance or resolution shall
not be in order after the text thereof has been approved. Amendments to the title shall be decided without
debate.
Section 8 To Reconsider When an ordinance or any other measure, decided by nominal
voting has been adopted or lost, it shall be in order for any member who voted with majority, at the same
or next meeting, to move for the consideration thereof, and such motion shall take precedence over all
other questions, except the motions to fix at which to adjourn and to take a recess. The motion to
reconsider shall be passed by a majority vote of the members present, regardless of the vote required by
the question to be considered.
Section 9 To Rescind, Repeal or Expunge An ordinance, resolution or any other questions
may be rescinded, repealed, or expunged at any meeting subsequent to the one at which it was adopted by
a majority vote of the members present with notice thereof given at the previous meeting, or by two-thirds
(2/3) vote of the members present without need of such notice.

Resolution No. 46-2016, further amending SP IRP

The motion to rescind, repeal or expunge may be made only if the time to reconsider the
controverted matter/issuehas already lapsed.
Section 10 Objection to Consider a Question - The consideration of a question may be
objected to by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, but the motion may be applied to directive or
communications from higher Government Body, committee report and amendments to the Rules of the
Sanggunian.
Section 11 Appeals An appeal must be made immediately after the decision appealed must
have been made, if any business has intervened, it shall be out of order. It is debatable, except when it
relates to indecorum, priority of business, transgression of the rules of speaking, or if it arises out of
undebatable questions. If debatable, any member may speak in respect to the appealed ruling, but the
Presiding Officer may speak on it twice; first, in explaining his decision, and second, in answer to the
arguments against his decision.
Section 12 Withdrawn/Modification of Motions A motion may be withdrawn or modified
as a matter of right before it has been stated by the Chair. If the request is made after the motion has been
stated by the Chair, it may be withdrawn only by general consent, or if there is an objection, by a majority
of the members present.
Section 13 - Repetition of Motions No motions, having failed passage, shall again be allowed
at the same meeting, unless there has been a substantial change in the proposition.

RULE XII UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Section 1 Resumption at Next Meeting All business before the Sanggunian and its
commencement of their next meeting.
Section 2 Unfinished Business after the End of Sanggunian Term Businesses left unacted
upon at the termination of one Sanggunian may be considered by the succeeding Sanggunian, as matters
of unfinished businesses.
For the purposes, the Secretary shall return to the respective committees, the papers
relating to unfinished businesses and have the papers delivered back to him at the close of a
session or termination of a Sanggunian.
RULE XIII SUSPENSION OF THE RULES
Section 1 Vote Required Any part of these rules, not prescribed by, or based on, statutory or
any higher act, may suspended by general consent, or by two-thirds (2/3), vote of the members present;
provided however, that the suspension of the Rules shall before the purposes of the question pending at
the time motion for suspension is made.
Section 2 Limitations Notwithstanding the provision of the immediate preceding section, not
part of these rules may be suspended if its effect is to protect an absentee or inevitably expose a members
vote.
RULE XIV SUPPLEMENTARY RULES
Section 1 The rules of procedures and parliamentary practices of the Philippines shall serve as
supplementary authorities of the Sanggunian, in so far as they are not incompatible with these Rules.
RULE XV AMENDMENTS
Section 1 Amendments Any portion of these Rules may be amended by a majority vote of
the entire Membership of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, provided, that at least two (2) days before the

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session at which such amendments will be submitted to the Body, the proponents shall furnish copies of
said proposed amendments together with the justifications therefor, to the Sanggunian.
RULE XVI EFFECTIVITY
Section 1 Effectivity This Revised Internal Rules of Procedure shall take effect upon its
approval.
APPROVED.
-oOoI HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing.

RODOLFO C. DEALCA, JR.

Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
ATTESTED:

KRUNIMAR ANTONIO D. ESCUDERO II, MDMG

Member / Temporary Presiding Officer