The Congress of the Philippines is the legislature of the national government of the Philippines. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, although colloquially the term "Congress" commonly refers to just the latter, and an upper body, the Senate. The House of Representatives meets in the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City while the Senate meets in the GSIS Building in Pasay.
The House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower house of Congress, the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, with the Senate of the Philippines as the upper house. The lower house is usually called Congress, although the term collectively refers to both houses.
Elections in the Philippines are of several types. The president, vice-president, and the senators are elected for a six-year term, while the members of the House of Representatives, governors, vice-governors, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, mayors, vice-mayors, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod/members of the Sangguniang Bayan, barangay officials, and the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan are elected to serve for a three-year term.
Congressional districts, also known as electoral districts in other nations, are divisions of a larger administrative region that represent the population of a region in the larger congressional body. Countries with congressional districts include the United States, the Philippines, and Japan.
The Philippines is divided into four levels of administrative divisions, with the lower three being defined in the Local Government Code of 1991 as local government units (LGUs). They are, from the highest to the lowest:
- Regions are mostly used to organize national services. Of the 17 regions, only one—the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao—has an elected government to which the central government has devolved competencies.
- Provinces, independent cities, and one independent municipality (Pateros)
- Component cities and municipalities within a province
- Barangays within a city or municipality
The legislative districts of Antipolo are the representations of the component city of Antipolo in the Congress of the Philippines. The city is currently represented in the lower house of Congress through its first and second congressional districts.
The legislative districts of Cebu are the representations of the province of Cebu in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. At present, the province is currently represented in the House of Representatives of the Philippines by its seven congressional districts, with their respective representatives being elected every three years. Locally, the districts are also allotted two seats in the Cebu Provincial Board, with board members also being elected every three years.
The legislative districts of Batangas are the representations of the province of Batangas in the various national and local legislatures of the Philippines. At present, the province is represented in the House of Representatives of the Philippines by its six congressional districts, with the districts' representatives being elected every three years. Additionally, each district is allotted two seats in the Batangas Provincial Board, creating a total of twelve elective seats in the legislature.
The legislative districts of Bukidnon are the representations of the province of Bukidnon in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first, second, third, and fourth congressional districts.
The legislative districts of Mountain Province are the representations of Mountain Province in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its lone congressional district.
The legislative districts of Sulu are the representations of the province of Sulu in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first and second congressional districts.
The legislative districts of Lanao del Sur are the representations of the province of Lanao del Sur in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first and second congressional districts.
Electoral districts go by different names depending on the country and the office being elected.
Batangas's 1st congressional district is one of the six congressional districts of the Philippines in the province of Batangas. It has been represented in the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 1916 and earlier in the Philippine Assembly from 1907 to 1916. The district consists of the western Batangas municipalities of Balayan, Calatagan, Lemery, Lian, Nasugbu, Taal and Tuy and the component city of Calaca. It is currently represented in the 19th Congress by Eric Buhain of the Nacionalista Party (NP).
Laguna's 1st congressional district is one of the six congressional districts of the Philippines in the province of Laguna, formerly La Laguna. It has been represented in the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 1916 and earlier in the Philippine Assembly from 1907 to 1916. The district currently consists the northwestern city of San Pedro. It is currently represented in the 19th Congress by Ann Matibag of Lakas–CMD.
Laguna's 2nd congressional district is one of the seven congressional districts of the Philippines in the province of Laguna, formerly La Laguna. It has been represented in the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 1916 and earlier in the Philippine Assembly from 1907 to 1916. The district consists of the city of Cabuyao and adjacent municipalities of Bay and Los Baños. It is currently represented in the 19th Congress by Ruth Mariano-Hernandez of the Lakas–CMD.
Batangas's 2nd congressional district is one of the six congressional districts of the Philippines in the province of Batangas. It has been represented in the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 1916 and earlier in the Philippine Assembly from 1907 to 1916. The district consists of the southern Batangas municipalities of Bauan, Lobo, Mabini, San Luis, San Pascual and Tingloy. It is currently represented in the 19th Congress by Gerville Luistro of Lakas-CMD.
Nueva Vizcaya's at-large congressional district, also known as Nueva Vizcaya's lone district, is the sole congressional district of the Philippines in the province of Nueva Vizcaya for various national legislatures since 1898. The province first elected its representative provincewide at-large for the Malolos Congress of the First Philippine Republic. In 1907, when the Philippine Assembly was established, the province had no representation as it was then classified as a special province under the supervision of the Department of the Interior Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes. Since 1916 when it was re-established as a specially organized province separate from its former Comandancia de Quiañgan which became the Ifugao sub-province under Jones Law, Nueva Vizcaya has been entitled to one member in the House of Representatives. It remains as a single-member district, except for a brief period between 1943 and 1944 when a second seat was allocated in the National Assembly of the Second Philippine Republic.
Abra's at-large congressional district refers to the lone congressional district of the Philippines in the province of Abra. Abra has been represented in the country's various national legislatures since 1898. The first congressional delegation consisted of two members in the First Philippine Republic legislature known as the Malolos Congress. Since 1919 when it was re-established as a regular province separate from Ilocos Sur, Abra has been entitled to one member in the House of Representatives of the Philippines, elected provincewide at-large, except for a brief period between 1943 and 1944 when it was again represented by two members in the National Assembly of the Second Philippine Republic. From 1978 to 1984, all provinces were converted into multi-seat regional at-large districts for the Interim Batasang Pambansa of the Fourth Philippine Republic, with Abra forming part of the twelve-seat Region I's at-large district. It was restored as a single-member district in 1984.
Quirino's at-large congressional district is the sole congressional district of the Philippines in the province of Quirino. It has been represented in the House of Representatives since 1987 and earlier in the Batasang Pambansa from 1984 to 1986.
