National Assembly

## National Assembly of Magdiwang

Coat of Arms

Konseho Seats (top) and Kamara Seats (bottom)

Opposition

* Frente Campesino-Colectivista (5)
* Partido Socialista Obrero Filipina (4)

Others

* Independent (7)

The **National Assembly** (Spanish: *Asamblea Nacional*) (Filipino: *Batasang Pambansa*) is the legislature of the National Government of Magdiwang. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the Chamber of Representatives (*Kamara*), and an upper body, the Council of Peers (Konseho).

## Overview

The Kamara and Konseho are equal partners in the legislative process - legislation cannot be achieved without the consent of both chambers. The constitution grants each chambers with their respective unique powers; the Konseho ratifies treaties and approves ministry appointments while the Kamara can initiate revenue rising bills. The Kamara initiates impeachment cases while the Konseho decides impeachment cases.

The Konseho, or formally known as the Council of Peers, consists of two types of members; hereditary councilors, who are specially appointed by the Supremo and Prime Minister to serve until death or retirement with their seat passing off to a chosen successor (relative or not) and elective councilors, appointed from direct elections.

The Kamara, or formally known as the Chamber of Representatives, is an elected chamber with elections held at least every 4-6 years under first-past-the-post system. Following a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is elected through electoral voting from the Kamara and must obtain a 2/3rds majority (if not through direct appointment from the Supremo).

## History

The roots of the National Assembly can be traced back to the Cortes General of the Kingdom of Spain, but practically starts around the establishment of the interim Administrative Council of the Captaincy General after the failed Tayabas Revolt of 1851. Although it gave the Filipinos "proper" representation back in the Spanish metropole, it was almost never practiced by the Spanish. Representatives Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora are considered to be the first members of a legislative body ever created in the Philippine Isles albeit was de facto unrecognized as such.

Dissatisfied with the lack of progress, Santiago Bonifacio and Francisco Rizal Mercado formed the Katipunan, a secret society aiming for full independence from the colonists. The Supreme Council acted as a legislative-executive body of the Katipunan, which was put in control of underground operations. Members were usually personally appointed and handpicked by the higher-ups. After the Philippine Revolution, the Supreme Council eventually grew but split into two factions: the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions. However this feud would end after victory from Magdiwang was declared in the Katipon Civil War.

The Supreme Council was eventually replaced by the General Convention which was made to adapt to wider roles. Members of this convention, like their preceding counterpart, would be chosen by Supremo Mariano Alvarez and his aides. It wasn't until then-Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Mateo Roberto de Valle initiated a process of democratizing the nation. Encouraged from the numerous missions to western countries, he proposed a parliamentary system that would give the country a chance to be on par with their neighboring counterparts. In 1885 the National Assembly would then be established with De Valle being personally appointed as its first Minister-President before subsequently leaving to run for Prime Minister.