Legislative districts of the Philippines
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The legislative districts of the Philippines are the divisions of the Philippines' provinces and cities for representation in the various legislative bodies. Congressional districts are for House of Representatives, while there are districts for Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and some Sangguniang Panlungsod. For purposes of representation, the Senate, most Sangguniang Panlungsod, Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan are all elected at-large, although there were districts for the Senate from 1916 to 1935.
The first composition of legislative districts was enshrined in the Ordinance appended to the Constitution. Changes in the composition of legislative districts were later added as new provinces and cities were created, and the composition was modified through laws enacted by Congress.
Apportionment on local legislatures is also possible.
History
Representation to the legislature traces its origin to the Spanish era, when the Philippines was granted very limited representation to the Spanish Cortes. During the American period, when the Philippine Bill of 1902 was enacted, the first Philippine Assembly was established as the lower house and the then-existing Philippine Commission as the upper house. Representation in the assembly was apportioned among the provinces with respect to their population, provided that no province shall have less than one member.
In 1916, the Philippine Legislature was reconstituted with a Senate as the upper house and the Assembly retained as the lower house. The Senate elected members through Senatorial Districts, a grouping of provinces and areas of the country, while the Assembly retained its way of representation. During the Commonwealth period, the Philippine Legislature was abolished, and a unicameral National Assembly was established, with representation being like that of the Philippine Assembly, each province having at least one member depending on its population.
With the passage of the 1940 Amendments to the 1935 Constitution, a bicameral Congress was established with a House of Representatives and a Senate. The House of Representatives way of representation was like that of the Philippine Assembly, while the Senate's members were elected at large.
With the coming of the Interim Batasang Pambansa and the regular Batasan during the Marcos regime, representation was done in many ways: most members were elected by regions, some by appointment from the different sectors of the society such as youth and labor, and some were members of the Cabinet appointed by the President. However, with the advent of the 1987 Constitution, the Batasan was scrapped and the Congress was restored. The present way of electing delegates to the House of Representatives is through legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities and the Metropolitan Manila Area and through a party-list system of registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations.
Senatorial districts
From 1916 to 1935, the Philippines was divided into 12 senatorial districts. Each district except for the twelfth senatorial district elected two senators to the Senate. The senators from 12th senatorial district were appointed by the U.S. Governor-General. Since 1941, when the Senate was restored, all twenty-four senators have been elected at-large in intervals.
| Senatorial District | Provinces and/or cities |
|---|---|
| First District | Abra (re-established 1917), Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela |
| Second District | La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales |
| Third District | Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac |
| Fourth District | Manila, Bataan, Laguna, Rizal |
| Fifth District | Batangas, Cavite, Marinduque (established 1920), Mindoro, Tayabas |
| Sixth District | Albay, Ambos Camarines (split into Norte and Sur 1917), Sorsogon |
| Seventh District | Capiz, Iloilo, Romblon (re-established 1917) |
| Eighth District | Antique, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Palawan |
| Ninth District | Leyte, Samar |
| Tenth District | Cebu |
| Eleventh District | Bohol, Misamis (split into Occidental and Oriental 1929), Surigao |
| Twelfth District | Baguio, Department of Mindanao and Sulu (abolished in 1920, consisted of the provinces of Agusan, Bukidnon, Davao, Lanao, Sulu, and Zamboanga), Mountain Province (consisted of the sub-provinces of Apayao, Benguet, Bontoc, Ifugao, and Kalinga), Nueva Vizcaya |
Congressional districts
Increased representation; Decreased representation
| Province / City | Districts | Congress of the Philippines | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19th | 18th | 17th | 16th | 15th | 14th | 13th | 12th | 11th | 10th | 9th | 8th | ||
| Abra | Abra | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Agusan del Norte (with Cabadbaran) and Butuan | Agusan del Norte | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Agusan del Sur (with Bayugan) | Agusan del Sur | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Aklan | Aklan | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Albay (with Legazpi, Ligao and Tabaco) | Albay | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Antique | Antique | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Apayao | Apayao | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (see Kalinga) | ||
| Aurora | Aurora | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bacolod | Bacolod | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Baguio | Baguio | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (see Benguet) | |
| Basilan (with Isabela and Lamitan) | Basilan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bataan (with Balanga) | Bataan | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Batanes | Batanes | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Batangas (with Batangas City, Santo Tomas, Lipa, and Tanauan) | Batangas | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Benguet | Benguet | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Biliran | Biliran | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (see Leyte) | |
| Bohol (with Tagbilaran) | Bohol | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Bukidnon (with Malaybalay and Valencia) | Bukidnon | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Bulacan (with Malolos, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte) | Bulacan, San Jose del Monte | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Cagayan (with Tuguegarao) | Cagayan | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cagayan de Oro | Cagayan de Oro | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Caloocan | Caloocan | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Camarines Norte | Camarines Norte | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Camarines Sur (with Iriga) and Naga | Camarines Sur | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Camiguin | Camiguin | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Capiz (with Roxas) | Capiz | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Catanduanes | Catanduanes | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cavite (with Bacoor, Cavite City, Dasmariñas, General Trias, Imus, Tagaytay, and Trece Martires) | Cavite | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cebu (with Bogo, Carcar, Danao, Naga, Talisay, and Toledo) and Mandaue | Cebu | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Cebu City | Cebu City | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cotabato (with Kidapawan) | Cotabato | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Davao City | Davao City | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Davao de Oro | Davao de Oro | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | (see Davao del Norte) | ||
| Davao del Norte (with Panabo, Samal, and Tagum) | Davao del Norte | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Davao del Sur (with Digos) | Davao del Sur | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Davao Occidental | Davao Occidental | 1 | 1 | 1 | (see Davao del Sur) | ||||||||
| Davao Oriental (with Mati) | Davao Oriental | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dinagat Islands | Dinagat Islands | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (see Surigao del Norte) | |||||
| Eastern Samar (with Borongan) | Eastern Samar | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| General Santos | General Santos | 1 | (see South Cotabato) | ||||||||||
| Guimaras | Guimaras | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (see Iloilo) | |
| Ifugao | Ifugao | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Iligan | Iligan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (see Lanao del Norte) | ||||||
| Ilocos Norte (with Laoag and Batac) | Ilocos Norte | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Ilocos Sur (with Candon and Vigan) | Ilocos Sur | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Iloilo (with Passi) | Iloilo | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Iloilo City | Iloilo City | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Isabela (with Cauayan and Ilagan) and Santiago | Isabela | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Kalinga (with Tabuk) | Kalinga | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| La Union (with San Fernando) | La Union | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Laguna (with Biñan, Cabuyao, Calamba, San Pablo, San Pedro, and Santa Rosa) | Laguna, Biñan, Calamba, Santa Rosa | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Lanao del Norte | Lanao del Norte | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lanao del Sur (with Marawi) | Lanao del Sur | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lapu-Lapu | Lapu-Lapu | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (see Cebu) | ||||||
| Las Piñas | Las Piñas | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Muntinlupa | Muntinlupa | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Leyte (with Baybay), Ormoc, and Tacloban | Leyte | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Maguindanao and Cotabato City | Maguindanao | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Makati | Makati | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Malabon | Malabon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Navotas | Navotas | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Mandaluyong | Mandaluyong | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| San Juan | San Juan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Mandaue | Mandaue | 1 | (see Cebu) | ||||||||||
| Manila | Manila | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Marikina | Marikina | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Marinduque | Marinduque | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Masbate (with Masbate City) | Masbate | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Misamis Occidental (with Oroquieta, Ozamiz, and Tangub) | Misamis Occidental | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Misamis Oriental (with El Salvador and Gingoog) | Misamis Oriental | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Mountain Province | Mountain Province | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Negros Occidental (with Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay, and Victorias) | Negros Occidental | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Negros Oriental (with Bais, Bayawan, Canlaon, Dumaguete, Guihulngan, and Tanjay) | Negros Oriental | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Northern Samar | Northern Samar | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Nueva Ecija (with Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose) | Nueva Ecija | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Nueva Vizcaya | Nueva Vizcaya | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Occidental Mindoro | Occidental Mindoro | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Oriental Mindoro (with Calapan) | Oriental Mindoro | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Palawan and Puerto Princesa | Palawan | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Pampanga (with Mabalacat and San Fernando) and Angeles | Pampanga | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Pangasinan (with Alaminos, San Carlos, and Urdaneta) and Dagupan | Pangasinan | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Parañaque | Parañaque | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Pasay | Pasay | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Pasig | Pasig | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Quezon and Lucena | Quezon | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Quezon City | Quezon City | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Quirino | Quirino | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Rizal (with Antipolo) | Rizal, Antipolo | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Romblon | Romblon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Samar (with Calbayog and Catbalogan) | Samar | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Sarangani | Sarangani | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (see South Cotabato) | |
| Siquijor | Siquijor | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sorsogon (with Sorsogon City) | Sorsogon | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| South Cotabato (with Koronadal) | South Cotabato | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Southern Leyte (with Maasin) | Southern Leyte | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sultan Kudarat (with Tacurong) | Sultan Kudarat | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sulu | Sulu | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Surigao del Norte (with Surigao City) | Surigao del Norte | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Surigao del Sur (with Bislig and Tandag) | Surigao del Sur | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Taguig and Pateros | Taguig and Pateros–Taguig | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tarlac (with Tarlac City) | Tarlac | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tawi-Tawi | Tawi-Tawi | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Valenzuela | Valenzuela | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Zambales and Olongapo | Zambales | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Zamboanga City | Zamboanga City | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Zamboanga del Norte (with Dapitan and Dipolog) | Zamboanga del Norte | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Zamboanga del Sur (with Pagadian) | Zamboanga del Sur | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Zamboanga Sibugay | Zamboanga Sibugay | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | (see Zamboanga del Sur) | |||
| Total Philippines | 247 | 243 | 238 | 235 | 230 | 219 | 212 | 209 | 208 | 203 | 200 | 200 | |
Local districts
As per the Bangsamoro Organic Law, representation in the Bangsamoro Parliament is based from its own parliamentary districts which is distinct from the legislative districts used to determine representation in the national House of Representatives.[1] However the exact parliamentary districts are yet to be determined and the current composition of the parliament which is interim in nature and all members are appointed by the President.
Representation via provincial boards, known as Sangguniang Panlalawigan are also via legislative districts except for a few instances, such as Bulacan's 4th provincial board district includes San Jose del Monte, while its congressional district does not. The province's income determines how many seats it is entitled to, with 6 seats being the least. If a province only has one congressional district, the Commission on Elections then divides the province into two districts based on population and geography.
If a city is split into several congressional districts, representation via its city councils, known as Sangguniang Panlungsod, follows the districts as set by the congressional districts; otherwise, representation is via an at-large district.
At-large representation is also used in municipalities through their Sangguniang Bayan, and in barangays through their Sangguniang Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan. At-large representation is always via plurality-at-large voting
See also
- Administrative divisions of the Philippines
- Congress of the Philippines
- Senate of the Philippines
- House of Representatives of the Philippines
References
- ^ Panti, Llanesca (June 20, 2019). "BARMM's new parliamentary districts won't affect representation in House, says BTA member". Retrieved June 22, 2019.
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