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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
9 
MRR -9 P5 138 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Senate 
Introduced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The latest Census of Population (F’OPCEN) conducted by the National Statistics 
Office (NSO) in August 2007 indicated that the population of the Philippines has reached 
88,574,614. With a growth rate of 2.04%, our population will even increase to 92.23 
million by the end of the current year. Being a democratic and republican State, our very 
own people expect no less than proper representation in the government so that their 
voices will be heard, their concerns will be addressed and their rights will be protected. 
The 1987 Constitution provides that “the House of Representatives shall be 
composed of not more than two hundred and fifty members, unless otherwise fixed by 
law, who shall be elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, 
cities, and the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of their 
respective inhabitants, and on the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and those 
who, as provided by law, shall be elected through a party-list system of registered 
national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations,” with the latter constituting 
twenty percentum of the total number of representatives. As such, 200 of the 250 seats in 
the Lower House are allocated to the legislative districts created by law and the 
remaining 50 to sectoral representation. 
At present, however, there are already 220 district representatives and 31 
representatives elected under the party-list system. Hence, there is a need to increase by 
law the allowable membership of the House of Representatives not only to correct the 
situation but, more importantly, to ensure the proper representation of our people in the 
Legislature. It would be important to note that this was also a recommendation made by 
the Supreme Court under Serna vs. Comelec (16 July 2008). 
In consonance with the mandate of the Constitution and in the interest of proper 
democratic representation of the people, this bill therefore seeks to increase the number 
of membership in the House of Representatives from two hundred and fifty to three 
hundred and fifty. Through this, there will be a stronger guarantee that the needs of our 
growing population will be effectively met and provided for. 
In view of all these, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 


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I 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Senate 
Introduced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile 
AN ACT 
INCREASING THE NUMBER OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
The membership of the House of Representatives is hereby 
authorized to be increased from two hundred and fifty (250) to three hundred and fifty 
(350), in compliance with the provisions of Article VI, Section 5 of the 1987 
Constitution. 
SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved 
,