Dean Ralph Sarmiento

Jesus Falcis With all due respect, Sir, research ka muna bago mag-comment so you do not mislead the people.

Check the May 5, 2015 Journal of the Senate, and you will find that the presence of 12 senators was declared a quorum because, out of 24 senators, four were out of the country (Senators Angara, Binay, Poe, and Recto were on official mission abroad)

Likewise, the 2017 decision in Baguilat v. Alvarez supports the framework of my analysis. In interpreting Art. VI, Sec. 16(1) of the 1987 Constitution, the Supreme Court held:

"Under this provision, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be elected by a majority vote of its entire membership. Said provision also states that the House of Representatives may decide to have officers other than the Speaker, and that the method and manner as to how these officers are chosen is something within its sole control."

I give non-partisan legal analysis based on the Constitution, the law, and jurisprudence, not on mere practice.