Rationale: Verbal wrangling, chaos and divisiveness often result during sanggunian sessions, conferences, assemblies, due to non-observance of proper procedures. It is observed that many organizations often come out of a meeting with the agenda unfinished. This is mainly due to the lack of the mastery by the members of the rules to observe in order that business may run smoothly and expeditiously.

This special training for deliberative bodies sets the following objectives:

     1. To teach participants parliamentary rules and procedures as mandated in the Local Government Code.
     2. To enable attendees to be an effective parliamentarian.
     3. To enable the sanggunians and other assemblies to have orderly sessions and meetings.
     4. To protect the rights of each member of the deliberate bodies.
     5. To preserve the spirit of harmony within the sanggunian or organization.
     6. To determine, in an orderly manner, the will of the majority.

THE MAIN ACTORS IN THE SANGGUNIAN SESSIONS

     The Presiding Chairman
     The Sanggunian Secretary
     The Committee Reporter
     The Sanggunian Members

ORDER OF BUSINESS

     Handling of Motions
     Presentation of Motion
     Statement of Motions by the Chair
     Period of Debate
     Amendments-Modifications of Motions

IMPORTANT PARLIAMENTARY PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER

     Parliamentary Law: A respect for the dignity of man
     Parliamentary Procedure: Meaning
     Recognized Sources of Parliamentary Information
     Primary rule in Parliamentary Procedure
     Basic Rules in Parliamentary Procedure

SESSIONS

     Sessions: Meaning
     Sessions vs. Meeting
     Essentials of a Good Session
     Kinds of Sessions under RA 7160 and their Requirements
     Nature and Limitation of Sanggunian Session
     Vote Required for a Valid Ordinance or Resolution

PARTICIPANTS

     Main Characters in a Session
     Powers, Duties and Responsibilities of a Presiding Officer
     Uses of Gavel: Meaning of Taps
     The Sanggunian Secretary
     The Sanggunian Members

MINUTES OF SESSION

     Definition of Minutes
     Reading of Minutes: Meaning
     Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretary
     Qualifications, Powers and Duties of the Sanggunian Secretary

MEMBERS

     Membership in the Sanggunian: Qualifications
     Disqualified from Running Local Elective Positions
     Term of Office of Local Elective Officials Prohibition against
     Elective Local Officials, Losing Candidates

LEAVE OF ABSENCE, VACANCIES AND SUCCESSION OF ELECTIVE LOCAL OFFICIALS

     Permanent Vacancies
     Rule in Case of Permanent vacancy in the Office of the Governor, Vice-Governor, Mayor, Vice Mayor
     Rule of Vacancies not covered by Automatic Succession
     Rule of Temporary Vacancy in the Office of Local Chief Executive

LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE BODIES

     Powers, Duties and Functions of Vice-Governors, City and Municipal Vice Mayors
     Powers, Duties and Functions of the Punong Barangay
     Youth Sector Representation in the Local Legislative Council

POWERS, DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL LEGISLATIVE BODIES

     Powers, Duties and Functions of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
     Powers, Duties and Functions of the Sangguniang Panlungsod
     Powers, Duties and Functions of the Sangguniang Bayan
     Powers, Duties and Functions of the Sangguniang Barangay
     Basic Rules Governing Sessions
     Order of Business vs. Orders of the Day
     Invocation or Sanggunian Rituals

QUORUM

     Determination of a Quorum
     Rule when there is No Quorum
     Reading of Correspondence
     Approval of Agenda
     Reports and Special Orders
     Unfinished Business; New Business or Other Matters; Announcements
     Adjournment
     Motion to Adjourn
     Motion to fix time to which to adjourn
     Parliamentary Don'ts
     Don'ts for the Presiding Officer
     Don'ts for the Sanggunian Members
     Voting: Methods

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

     Rule in the Approval of Ordinances
     Veto Power of Local Chief Executive
     Consequence of Enforced Disapproved Ordinance
     Ordinances or Resolutions, Effectivity Requirements before an Ordinance with Penal Sanctions takes Effect

MOTIONS

     Motions: Basic Principles
     Procedural Aspect
     Classification of Motions
     Presentation and Introduction of Motion
     Parliamentary Debate and Discussion(s)
     Various Classifications of Motions According to the Degree of Debates
     Basic Rules in a Debate
     Outline in Presenting a Motion
     Detailed Resolutions
     Classes and Precedence of Motions
     Main Motions
     Subsidiary and Secondary Motions
     Incidental Motions
     Precedence
     Privileged Motions
     Classifications of Motions According to Object
     Motion to Take from the Table
     Motion to Reconsider
     Motion to Rescind or Repeal
     Motion to Make Special Order of Business
     Subsidiary Motions: Purpose, Effect and Characteristics
     Motion to Lay on the Table
     Motion to Call for the Previous Question
     Motion to Close, Limit or Extend Debate
     Motion to Postpone to a Definite Time
     Motion to Refer to a Committee
     Motion to Amend
     Motion to Postpone Indefinitely
     Incidental Motions; Purpose, Effect and Characteristics
     Motion to Suspend the Rules
     Motion to Withdraw (or Modify) a Motion
     Motion to Object to the Consideration of the Question
     Motion to Raise to a Point of Order
     Parliamentary Inquiry
     Privileged Motions
     To Fix Time to which to Adjourn
     To Adjourn
     To Take a Recess
     Questions of Privilege
     Call for Orders of the Day

SAMPLE AGENDA/ MINUTES OF SANGGUNIAN SESSION
PRINCIPAL RULES GOVERNING MOTIONS

APPLICABILITY: While the examples to be used in this training are LGU case scenarios, many of the principles and techniques you will learn from this training is applicable to meetings, sessions, assemblies, conferences on the effective and efficient use of parliamentary procedures for deliberative bodies.

NOTE: The lectures and discussions may not necessarily follow the sequence presented in the above course outline. The use of examples are intended to incorporate several principles together to effectively impart knowledge to the audience.