Majority Vote Requirements
📌 Election of Legislative Leaders ✔ Senate President and Speaker of the House – Elected by a majority vote of all respective Members (Sec. 16(1), Art. VI).
📌 Quorum in Congress ✔ A majority of each House constitutes a quorum for legislative business (Sec. 16(2), Art. VI).
📌 Commission on Appointments Decisions ✔ The Commission rules by a majority vote of all its Members (Sec. 18, Art. VI).
📌 Constitution of Commission on Appointments ✔ The Commission is formed within 30 days from the organization of Congress and may convene at the call of its Chairman or a majority of all its Members (Sec. 19, Art. VI).
📌 Granting Tax Exemptions ✔ No law granting tax exemption shall be passed without the concurrence of a majority of all Members of Congress (Sec. 28(4), Art. VI).
Majority Vote Requirements for Presidential Matters
📌 In Case of a Tie in Presidential Elections ✔ If two candidates have equal and highest votes, one shall be chosen by a majority vote of all Members of both Houses, voting separately (Sec. 4(5), Art. VII).
📌 Vacancy in the Office of Vice President ✔ The President nominates a Vice President from among Congress Members, who assumes office upon confirmation by a majority vote of all Members of both Houses, voting separately (Sec. 9(5), Art. VII).
📌 Inability of the President to Discharge Duties ✔ If a majority of all Cabinet Members declares the President unable to discharge duties, the Vice President assumes office as Acting President (Sec. 11, Art. VII).
📌 Resolution of Presidential Inability ✔ If the President claims no inability exists but a majority of all Cabinet Members reiterates otherwise, Congress decides the issue (Sec. 11, Art. VII).
Congressional Vote on Martial Law and Suspension of Habeas Corpus
📌 Revocation or Extension of Martial Law ✔ If the President declares martial law or suspends the privilege of habeas corpus, Congress may revoke or extend the declaration by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members, voting jointly (Sec. 18, Art. VII).
Majority Vote Requirements
📌 Grant of Amnesty ✔ The President may grant amnesty but only with the concurrence of a majority of all Members of Congress (Sec. 19, Art. VII).
📌 Supreme Court Rulings on Constitutionality ✔ Cases involving constitutional issues require a majority vote of Members who took part in deliberations (Sec. 4(2), Art. VIII).
📌 Decisions of Supreme Court Divisions ✔ A majority of Members who deliberated must concur, but no case may be resolved with fewer than three votes (Sec. 4(3), Art. VIII).
📌 Discipline or Dismissal of Judges ✔ The Supreme Court may discipline or dismiss judges by a majority vote of Members who took part in deliberations (Sec. 11, Art. VIII).
📌 Decisions of Constitutional Commissions (CSC, COMELEC, COA) ✔ All decisions require a majority vote of all Members (Sec. 7, Art. IX-A).
📌 Impeachment Proceedings in the House of Representatives ✔ A verified impeachment complaint must receive a majority vote of all Committee Members (Sec. 3(2), Art. XI).
📌 Calling a Constitutional Convention ✔ Congress may submit the question of calling a convention to the electorate by a majority vote of all Members (Sec. 3, Art. XVII).
📌 Ratification of Constitutional Amendments or Revisions ✔ Amendments or revisions are valid when ratified by a majority of votes cast in a plebiscite (Sec. 4, Art. XVII).
Higher Voting Requirements (Two-Thirds and More)
📌 Suspension or Expulsion of Legislative Members ✔ Each House may suspend or expel Members with the concurrence of two-thirds of all Members (Sec. 16(3), Art. VI).
📌 Declaration of War ✔ Congress may declare war with a two-thirds vote of both Houses, voting separately (Sec. 23, Art. VI).
📌 Override of Presidential Veto ✔ A vetoed bill may become law with a two-thirds vote of each House (Sec. 27(1), Art. VI).
📌 Resolution of Presidential Inability ✔ If Congress votes by two-thirds, the Vice President continues acting as President (Sec. 11, Art. VII).
📌 Ratification of Treaties ✔ No treaty or international agreement shall be valid without the concurrence of two-thirds of all Senators (Sec. 21, Art. VII).
📌 Impeachment Conviction ✔ No official shall be convicted in impeachment proceedings without the concurrence of two-thirds of Senators (Sec. 21, Art. XI).
📌 Calling a Constitutional Convention ✔ Congress may call a constitutional convention with a two-thirds vote of all Members (Sec. 3, Art. XVII).
📌 Renewal or Extension of Existing Treaties ✔ Treaties not ratified before must be approved by at least two-thirds of all Senators before renewal (Sec. 4, Art. XVIII).
Impeachment Votes in the House of Representatives
📌 Affirming or Overriding Committee Decision ✔ Requires a vote of at least one-third of all Members (Sec. 3(3), Art. XI).
📌 Direct Filing of Impeachment Complaint ✔ If at least one-third of Members directly file, trial proceeds immediately in the Senate (Sec. 3(4), Art. XI).
Legal Takeaways on Voting Requirements
✅ Different voting thresholds ensure checks and balances – Higher requirements exist for critical national decisions.
✅ Congress plays a key role in executive oversight – Legislative intervention is required for VP appointments, presidential incapacity, and martial law declarations.
✅ Majority votes are central to governance – From electing leaders to passing laws, consensus determines policymaking.
✅ Higher vote thresholds ensure accountability – Critical issues like war declarations, presidential removal, and treaty ratifications require supermajority approval.
✅ Impeachment follows strict voting procedures – Safeguards prevent partisan removals without substantial legislative support.
✅ Congress plays a central role in constitutional changes – Lawmakers must secure broad consensus before amending the Constitution.
Conclusion
The 1987 Philippine Constitution establishes specific voting requirements to safeguard democratic governance. These provisions ensure legislative transparency, executive accountability, and proper checks on governmental power.
📌 For full constitutional text, visit: .