Powers and Duties: Senator in the Philippines

Term of Office

Philippine senators serve six-year terms, beginning on June 30th following the election. They can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Qualifications

• Natural-born Filipino citizen
• At least 35 years old on election day
• Able to read and write
• Registered voter
• Resident of the Philippines for at least two years before the election

Powers and Responsibilities

• Legislative powers: creating bills, resolutions, and amendments.
• Oversight: conducting inquiries in aid of legislation.
• Impeachment trials.
• Declaration of war (with House concurrence).
• Authorization of presidential emergency powers.
• Review of martial law proclamations.
• Review of presidential amnesties.
• Ratification of treaties (two-thirds vote).
• Constitutional amendment proposals.
• Financial disclosure and conflict of interest declarations.