17th Congress of the Philippines

The 17th Congress of the Philippines (Ikalabimpitong Kongreso ng Pilipinas), composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives, met from July 25, 2016, until June 4, 2019, during the first three years of Rodrigo Duterte's presidency. The convening of the 17th Congress followed the 2016 general elections, which replaced half of the Senate membership and the entire membership of the House of Representatives.

Senate

 * President:
 * Koko Pimentel (PDP–Laban), until May 21, 2018
 * Tito Sotto (NPC), from May 21, 2018
 * President pro tempore:
 * Franklin Drilon (Liberal), until February 27, 2017
 * Ralph Recto (Nacionalista), from February 27, 2017
 * Majority Floor Leader:
 * Tito Sotto (NPC), until May 21, 2018
 * Migz Zubiri (Independent), from May 21, 2018
 * Minority Floor Leader:
 * Ralph Recto (Liberal), until February 27, 2017
 * Franklin Drilon (Liberal), from February 28, 2017

House of Representatives

 * Speaker:
 * Pantaleon Alvarez (Davao del Norte–1st, PDP–Laban), until July 23, 2018
 * Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Pampanga–2nd, PDP–Laban), from July 23, 2018
 * Deputy Speakers:
 * Eric Singson (Ilocos Sur–2nd, PDP–Laban), until August 29, 2018
 * Mercedes Alvarez (Negros Occidental–6th, NPC)
 * Fredenil Castro (Capiz–2nd, NUP), until January 21, 2019
 * Raneo Abu (Batangas–2nd, Nacionalista)
 * Miro Quimbo (Marikina–2nd, Liberal), until July 25, 2018
 * Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Pampanga–2nd, Lakas), August 15, 2016 – March 15, 2017
 * Pia Cayetano (Taguig–Pateros, Nacionalista), from August 15, 2016
 * Gwendolyn Garcia (Cebu–3rd, PDP–Laban), August 15, 2016 – August 15, 2018
 * Mylene Garcia-Albano (Davao City–2nd, PDP–Laban), from August 15, 2016
 * Sharon Garin (AAMBIS-Owa), from August 15, 2016
 * Bai Sandra Sema (Maguindanao–1st, PDP–Laban), from August 15, 2016
 * Ferdinand Hernandez (South Cotabato–2nd, NPC), from August 16, 2016
 * Frederick Abueg (Palawan–2nd, Liberal), from August 16, 2016
 * Rolando Andaya Jr. (Camarines Sur–1st, PDP–Laban), August 16, 2016 – July 30, 2018
 * Linabelle Villarica (Bulacan–4th, Liberal), from August 9, 2017
 * Prospero Pichay Jr. (Surigao del Sur–1st, Lakas), from August 15, 2018
 * Arthur C. Yap (Bohol–3rd, PDP–Laban), from August 15, 2018
 * Rose Marie Arenas (Pangasinan–3rd, PDP–Laban), from August 29, 2018
 * Evelina Escudero (Sorsogon–1st, NPC), from August 29, 2018
 * Randolph Ting (Cagayan–3rd, NUP), from January 21, 2019
 * Majority Leader:
 * Rodolfo Fariñas (Ilocos Norte–1st, PDP–Laban), until July 23, 2018
 * Fredenil Castro (Capiz–2nd, NUP), acting, July 23–30, 2018
 * Rolando Andaya Jr. (Camarines Sur-1st, PDP–Laban), July 30, 2018 – January 21, 2019
 * Fredenil Castro (Capiz–2nd, NUP), acting, from January 21, 2019
 * Minority Leader: Danilo Suarez (Quezon–3rd, Lakas)

Sessions

 * First regular session: July 25, 2016 – May 31, 2017
 * Second regular session: July 24, 2017 – May 30, 2018
 * Third regular session: July 23, 2018 – May 27, 2019

Composition
Both chambers of Congress are divided into parties and blocs. While members are elected via parties, blocs are the basis for committee memberships. Only members of the majority and minority blocs are accorded committee memberships. This is how blocs are determined:
 * Majority bloc: All members who voted for the Senate President or Speaker during the Senate presidential or speakership election.
 * Minority bloc: All members who voted for the second-placed candidate during the Senate presidential or speakership election.
 * Independent minority bloc: All members who did not vote for the winning or second-best nominee during the Senate presidential or speakership election.
 * Independent bloc: All members who abstained from voting during the Senate presidential or speakership election.
 * Not a member of any bloc: All members who have not voted during the Senate presidential or speakership election.

In the speakership election, several members abstained from voting. They, along with the members who voted for the losing candidate voted on who would be the minority leader.

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


 * For senators elected on May 13, 2013: June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2019
 * For senators elected on May 9, 2016: June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022

Senate committees
* more popularly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee.

Laws passed
The 17th Congress passed a total of 379 bills which were signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. 120 of these laws were national in scope, while 259 were local. Some of these laws include:


 * Republic Act 10923: Postponing of the Philippine barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, 2016
 * Republic Act 10931: Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act
 * Republic Act 10952: Postponing of the Philippine barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, 2016
 * Republic Act 10962: Gift Check Act of 2017
 * Republic Act 10966: Making December 8 as a nonworking holiday commemorating the feast of the Immaculate Conception
 * Republic Act 11014: The First Philippine Republic Day Act
 * Republic Act 11053: Anti-Hazing Act of 2018
 * Republic Act 11054: Bangsamoro Organic Law
 * Republic Act 11055: Philippine Identification System Act
 * Republic Act 11058: Occupational Safety and Health Standards Law