7th Congress of the Philippines

The 7th Congress of the Philippines (), composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives, met from January 26, 1970, until January 17, 1973, during the fifth, sixth, and seventh years of Ferdinand Marcos's presidency.

On September 23, 1972, President Marcos announced to the public that he declared martial law two days prior. Following this, the Congress remained adjourned until it was formally abolished with the ratification of the 1973 Constitution on January 17, 1973. Marcos then exercised legislative powers. In 1976, Congress was replaced by the Batasang Bayan as the Philippines' legislative body until 1978, when it was replaced by the Batasang Pambansa.

One-third of the Senate and the entire membership of the House of Representatives was replaced after the 1969 general elections. The House members and another third of the Senate membership were again replaced after the midterm senatorial elections of 1971.

Sessions

• First Regular Session: January 26 – May 21, 1970
• First Special Session: May 22 – June 25, 1970
• Second Special Session: June 29 – August 1, 1970
• Third Special Session: September 7 – October 10, 1970
• Second Regular Session: January 25 – May 20, 1971
• Fourth Special Session: June 14 – July 17, 1971
• Fifth Special Session: August 2 – September 4, 1971
• Third Regular Session: January 24 – May 18, 1972
• Sixth Special Session: May 19 – June 21, 1972
• Seventh Special Session: June 23 – July 27, 1972
• Eighth Special Session: July 28 – August 31, 1972
• Ninth Special Session: September 1 – 23, 1972

Legislation

The Seventh Congress in its three regular and six special sessions passed a total of 512 acts. Among it were:

Leadership

Senate

• President: Gil Puyat (Nacionalista)
• President pro tempore: Jose Roy (Nacionalista)
• Majority Floor Leader: Arturo Tolentino (Nacionalista)
• Minority Floor Leader: Gerardo Roxas (Liberal)

House of Representatives

• Speaker:
• Jose Laurel Jr. (Batangas–3rd, Nacionalista), until April 1, 1971
• Cornelio Villareal (Capiz–2nd, Liberal), from April 1, 1971
• Speaker pro tempore: Jose M. Aldeguer (Iloilo–5th, Liberal)
• Majority Floor Leader: (Leyte–3rd, Nacionalista)
• Minority Floor Leader:
• Justiniano Montano (Cavite, Liberal), until June 12, 1971
• Ramon Mitra Jr. (Palawan, Liberal), June 12 – December 30, 1971
• Ramon Felipe Jr. (Camarines Sur–1st, Liberal), from January 24, 1972

<span class="anchor" id="Members"></span>Members

Senate

The following are the terms of the senators of this Congress, according to the date of election:

• For senators elected on November 9, 1965: December 30, 1965 – December 30, 1971
• For senators elected on November 14, 1967: December 30, 1967 – December 30, 1973
• For senators elected on November 11, 1969: December 30, 1969 – December 30, 1975
• For senators elected on November 8, 1971: December 30, 1971 – December 30, 1977

The Senate adjourned following the declaration of martial law on September 23, 1972. It was then formally abolished with the ratification of the 1973 Constitution on January 17, 1973.

House of Representatives

The term of office of the members of the House of Representatives was from December 30, 1969, to December 30, 1973.

The House of Representatives adjourned following the declaration of martial law on September 23, 1972. It was then formally abolished with the ratification of the 1973 Constitution on January 17, 1973.

See also

• Congress of the Philippines
• Senate of the Philippines
• House of Representatives of the Philippines
• 1969 Philippine general election
• 1971 Philippine general election

Notes

References

Further reading

• Philippine House of Representatives Congressional Library

External links