Philippine Senate File Photo Manila Some Filipino Voters May Be Wondering Why Only 12 Members Of The Are Elected Every Three Years When There Actually 24 Senators Attending Opening Congress On Fourth Monday July Following Polls Answer Is In 27 Section Transitory Provisions 1987 Constitution News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Philippine Senate (File photo) MANILA - Some Filipino voters may be wondering why only 12 members of the Senate are elected every three years when there are actually 24 senators attending the opening of Congress on the fourth Monday of July following the polls. The answer is in the 27-Section Transitory Provisions of the 1987 Constitution, particularly in Section 2 of Article XVIII which states that "senators, members of the House of Representatives, and the local officials first elected under this Constitution shall serve until noon of June 30, 1992. Of the senators elected in the election in 1992, the first 12 obtaining the highest number of votes shall serve for six years (full term) and the remaining 12 for three years". Half of the 24 senators (Nos. 1 to 12) elected in May 1992 were retained until June 30, 1998, while the other half (Nos. 13 to 24) were replaced in the 1995 polls. In turn, the 12 senators who were elected in May 1995 stayed in the Senate for the next six ....

Imee Marcos , Nancy Binay , Cynthia Villar , Grace Poe , Corazon Aquino , Salvador Laurel , Lito Lapid , Ronald Dela Rosa , Pia Cayetano , Francis Tolentino , Ramon Revilla Jr , Section Transitory Provisions , Transitory Provisions , President Corazon Aquino , Vice President Salvador Laurel , Senators Sonny Angara , Koko Pimentel , Philippine Senate File Photo Manila Some Filipino Voters May Be Wondering Why Only 12 Members Of The Are Elected Every Three Years When There Actually 24 Senators Attending Opening Congress On Fourth Monday July Following Polls Answer Is In 27 Section Transitory Provisions 1987 Constitution , Articularly In Section 2 Of Article Xviii Which States That Quot Senators , Members Of The House Representatives , Nd The Local Officials First Elected Under This Constitution Shall Serve Until Noon Of June 30 , 992 Of The Senators Elected In Election 1992 , He First 12 Obtaining The Highest Number Of Votes Shall Serve For Six Years Full Term And Remaining Three Quot Half 24 Senators Nos 1 To Elected In May 1992 Were Retained Until June 30 , Hile The Other Half Nos 13 To 24 Were Replaced In 1995 Polls Turn , He 12 Senators Who Were Elected In May 1995 Stayed The Senate For Next Six Years Until 2001 This Has Been Practice Since With Election Ofa Dozen Every Three 1998 , 019 Fora Six Year Term To Replace The Outgoing 12 Members Transitory Provisions Under Section 5 Also Paved Way For Synchronization Of National And Local Elections By Extending Late President Corazon Aquino Vice Salvador Laurel Months Noon June 30 ,