- Batasang Pambansa
The Batasang Pambansa (English: National Legislature), also known by its nickname, the Batasan, was the former
parliament of thePhilippines , established as an interim assembly in 1978 and finally as an official body in 1984. Under the 1973 constitution, it replaced the former Congress established under the 1935 Commonwealth constitution. The Batasan was one of two unicameral parliaments in Philippine history, the other being theMalolos Congress under the 1899 constitution.Today, the term refers to the Batasang Pambansa complex, where the former parliament convened, and now where members of the Philippine House of Representatives hold their sessions. Comprising 212 members elected by
first past the post and 23 members elected by party list proportional representation, the legislators debate economic, social and other issues inside the complex. The Batasang Pambansa is located in Batasan Road, Batasan Hills,Quezon City .The Batasang Pambansa plenary hall is also used for joint sessions of the Philippine Congress, such as election results confirmation meetings, and addresses by the President or other guests of honor. The annual State of the Nation Address delivered by the President of the Philippines in a joint session of Congress is one example of such a speech.
History
The Batasang Pambansa
Martial law was declared by PresidentFerdinand Marcos onSeptember 23 ,1972 . He imposed acurfew , banned public assemblies, silenced thefree press , outlawed protest movements, arrested opposition politicians, dissolved the bicameral Congress and created "citizen's" or "barangay " assemblies to ratify his decrees, including the 1973 constitution. Beginning in 1976, he began to implement the provisions of the 1973 Constitution, including the organization of an Interim Batasang Pambansa, roughly translated as "Interim National Assembly" because of amendments by the temporary legislative body and legislative advisory council known as theBatasang Bayan . In 1978, the semi-parliament was formally convened as the "Interim Batasang Pambansa" then changed its name to the "Regular Batasang Pambansa" in 1984. In 1985, the Batasan tried to impeach Marcos, but was unsuccessful. After the ratification of the 1987 constitution, the Batasang Pambansa was subsequently dissolved, however it was declared dissolved as far back as the 1986 amendments to the 1973 constitution, known as Presidential Proclamation No. 3.The Batasang Pambansa complex
The Batasang Pambansa complex started construction in the 1950s following the naming of
Quezon City as the newcapital city . However, due to lack of funding, only the foundation was initially completed, and the complex was not completed until the 1970s under the Marcos Administration to house the Batasang Pambansa, a unicameral parliament. However, under the 1987 constitution, the legislative branch again became bicameral. The numerically larger House of Representatives retained the Great Hall and the offices of the old Batasang Pambansa on the grounds of the complex. The smaller, newly-reinstated Senate returned to the original Legislative building inManila until the complex was turned over to theNational Museum of the Philippines under the administration ofFidel Ramos , and has since moved to theGSIS Building on reclaimed land onManila Bay inPasay City .Batasan Complex Blast
On
November 13 ,2007 an explosion occurred on South Wing of the Batasan Complex killing four people and injuring six more. Three of the victims are legislators.Batasan Hills
Major Roads
There are 3 Major roads:
Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City Batasan-San Mateo Road. (Formely Constitutional Rd.) and IBP. Road or Batasan RoadLocation
The Batasan is located in Quezon City. It is beside
San Mateo, Rizal ,Marikina City and Commonwealth Avenue.Government of Batasan
The Present
Barangay Captain of Batasan Hills is Rudolfo Ludovica
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