Basic Rules of Parliamentary
Procedure
For Local Legislative Councils
Your Name | Date
Introduction
• Purpose: ensure collegial, orderly, and legal
decision-making
• Importance: simplifies and systematizes
discussions
• Key users: legislative councils, committees,
organizations
Purpose of Parliamentary Rules
• Facilitate fast and valid decisions
• Maintain decorum
• Protect rights of members
• Achieve group objectives
Rules of Procedure Not Only for
Legislative Bodies
• Not only for politicians or lawyers
• Useful for civic, business, religious, and social
groups
• Helps reconcile differing opinions
Origin and Development
• Ancient English Parliament → source of
parliamentary law
• Adopted by U.S. legislatures (Jefferson’s
Manual, Congress rules)
• Introduced to the Philippines during American
period
Sources of Rules (Hierarchy)
• 1. 1987 Constitution
• 2. Local Government Code of 1991
• 3. Supreme Court decisions
• 4. Internal Rules of Procedure (IRP)
• 5. Parliamentary practice
• 6. Parliamentary authors
• 7. Customs and usage
Tenets of Parliamentary Procedure
(Overview)
• Rule of majority
• Rights of minority
• Equality of members
• Neutral presiding officer
• Free discussion encouraged
• Singularity of subject
• All motions voted upon
• Respect for dignity & speech
• Group interest prevails
Tenets: Majority & Minority
• Majority rule: greater than one-half (or 2/3 in
some cases)
• Minority rights: must be protected, opposition
voices heard
Tenets: Equality & Presiding Officer
• All members equal in rights and privileges
• Presiding officer must remain neutral,
impartial
Tenets: Discussion & Singularity
• Full and free discussion encouraged
• Focus on one subject at a time to avoid
confusion
Tenets: Voting & Dignity
• Every motion should be submitted to a vote
• Respect human dignity and avoid personal
attacks
Tenets: Speech & Group Interest
• Freedom of speech must be respected
• Group interest always prevails over personal
interest
Motions – The Main Instrument
• Formal proposal for assembly action
• Motion vs. Resolution (oral vs. written)
Types of Motions
• 1. Main Motions (general & specific)
• 2. Subsidiary Motions
• 3. Privileged Motions
• 4. Incidental Motions
Precedence of Motions
• Higher-ranked motions take priority
• Order: Privileged → Subsidiary → Main →
Incidental
Examples in Practice
• General motion: Hold city foundation day
event
• Subsidiary motion: Amend to add beauty
contest
• Privileged motion: Adjourn meeting due to
lateness
• Incidental motion: Point of information about
cityhood date
Key Takeaways
• Ensures fairness, order, and efficiency
• Protects majority rule and minority rights
• Essential for democratic governance and
deliberation
Closing / Q&A
• Thank you!
• Open floor for questions
