Chapter II: Of the Revolutionary Congress

_Article_ 11.--The Revolutionary Congress is the assembly of those
deputies from the Philippine provinces, elected in due form, as
prescribed in the Decree of the 18th inst. Nevertheless, if any
province could not elect deputies because the majority of its towns
had not yet been able to free themselves from Spanish dominion,
the Government can nominate provisional deputies chosen from the
persons of highest consideration by reason of their education
and social position up to the number fixed by the said Decree,
always provided that such persons shall have been born or have
resided for a long time in the provinces to be represented.

_Article_ 12.--When the deputies shall have met in the town and
in the building to be provided by the Revolutionary Government
the preliminary act shall be the election by majority of votes
of a commission of five persons who shall examine the documents
accrediting the personality of each person, and another commission
of three persons who shall examine the documents exhibited by
the first commission of five.

_Article_ 13.--The next day the said deputies shall again meet
and the two commissions shall read their respective reports on
the validity of the said documents, all doubts on the same to
be resolved by an absolute majority of votes. They shall then
at once proceed to the election, by absolute majority, of a
president, a vice-president, and two secretaries, to be chosen
from among the same deputies, after which the Congress shall be
held to be constituted, and notice of the same shall be given to
the Government.

_Article_ 14.--The meeting-place of Congress is sacred and
inviolable, and no armed force can enter therein except on the
summons of the President of the Congress for the purpose of
restoring order, should the same have been disturbed by those
who know not how to honour themselves and their solemn functions.

_Article_ 15.--The powers of Congress are:--To look after the
general interests of the Philippine people and the fulfilment of
the revolutionary laws; to discuss and vote laws; to discuss and
approve, before ratification, all treaties and loans to examine
and approve the accounts of the general expenses which shall
be presented annually by the Finance Secretary and to fix the
extraordinary taxes, and others which, in future, may be imposed.

_Article_ 16.--The voice of Congress shall also be heard in all
matters of grave importance the resolution of which will admit of
delay, but the President of the Government can resolve questions of
an urgent character, rendering an account of his acts to Congress
by means of a message.

_Article_ 17.--Any Deputy can present a bill in Congress, and any
Secretary can do so by order of the President of the Government.

_Article_ 18.--The sessions of Congress shall be public, and only
in cases where reserve is necessary shall secret sessions be held.

_Article_ 19.--The order of debate and parliamentary usages shall
be determined by instructions to be formulated by Congress. The
President shall lead the debate, but shall not vote, unless
there fail to be a majority, in which case he shall give his
casting vote.

_Article_ 20.--The President of the Government cannot, in any
manner, impede the meeting of Congress, nor interfere with the
sessions of the same.

_Article_ 21.--Congress shall appoint a permanent judicial
commission, to be presided over by the Vice-President, assisted
by one of the Secretaries and composed of these persons and
seven assessors, elected by majority of votes, from among the
deputies. This commission shall revise the sentences given in
criminal cases by the provincial councils, and shall judge and
sentence, without right of further appeal, cases brought against
the Government Secretaries, Provincial Chiefs and Provincial
Councillors.

_Article_ 22.--In the office of the Secretary to Congress there
shall be a Book of Honour, in which shall be noted the great
services rendered to the Fatherland and esteemed as such by
Congress. Any Filipino, military or civil, can solicit of Congress
inscription in the said book on producing the documents which
prove the praiseworthy acts performed by him for the good of the
Fatherland since the present Revolution began. For extraordinary
services which may, in future, be rendered, the Government will
propose the inscription, the proposal being accompanied by the
necessary justification.

_Article_ 23.--Congress shall determine, on the proposal of the
Government, the money rewards to be paid, once for all, to the
families of those who were victims to duty and patriotism in the
execution of heroic acts.

_Article_ 24.--The resolutions of Congress shall not be binding
until they have received the sanction of the President of the
Government. When the said President shall consider any resolution
undesirable, or impracticable, or pernicious, he shall state his
reasons to Congress for opposing its execution, and if Congress
still insist on the resolution the said President can outvote it
on his own responsibility.

CHAPTER III