7th Congress of the Philippines
The 7th Congress of the Philippines, composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives, met from January 26, 1970, until January 17, 1973, during the fifth, sixth, and seventh years of Ferdinand Marcos's presidency.
On September 23, 1972, President Marcos announced to the public that he declared martial law two days prior. Following this, the Congress remained adjourned until it was formally abolished with the ratification of the 1973 Constitution on January 17, 1973. Marcos then exercised legislative powers. In 1976, Congress was replaced by the Batasang Bayan as the Philippines' legislative body until 1978, when it was replaced by the Batasang Pambansa.
One-third of the Senate and the entire membership of the House of Representatives was replaced after the 1969 general elections. The House members and another third of the Senate membership were again replaced after the midterm senatorial elections of 1971.
Sessions
- First Regular Session: January 26 – May 21, 1970
- First Special Session: May 22 – June 25, 1970
- Second Special Session: June 29 – August 1, 1970
- Third Special Session: September 7 – October 10, 1970
- Second Regular Session: January 25 – May 20, 1971
- Fourth Special Session: June 14 – July 17, 1971
- Fifth Special Session: August 2 – September 4, 1971
- Third Regular Session: January 24 – May 18, 1972
- Sixth Special Session: May 19 – June 21, 1972
- Seventh Special Session: June 23 – July 27, 1972
- Eighth Special Session: July 28 – August 31, 1972
- Ninth Special Session: September 1 – 23, 1972
Legislation
The Seventh Congress in its three regular and six special sessions passed a total of 512 acts. Among it were:| RA No | Description |
| 6124 | Fixing the Maximum Selling Price of Essential Commodities and the Creation of the Price Control Council |
| 6125 | Imposition of a Stabilization Tax on Overseas Consignments |
| 6126 | Regulation of Housing Rentals |
| 6127 | Amendment to Article 29 of The Revised Penal Code |
| 6128 | Municipal and Barrio Boundary Dispute Settlement |
| 6131 | Conferring of Filipino citizenship to Dr. Patrick B. Connoh |
| 6132 | "The 1971 Constitutional Convention Act" |
| 6139 | Regulation of Tuition and Other School Fees of Private Educational Institutions |
| 6234 | Creation of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System |
| 6235 | Prohibition of Acts Inimical to Civil Aviation |
| 6236 | Extension of Free Patents Application and Judicial Confirmation of Incomplete or Imperfect Titles |
| 6245 | Offering of B.S. Industrial Education and B.S. Industrial Arts degrees at the Abra School of Arts and Trades |
| 6260 | "Coconut Investment Act" |
| 6289 | Establishment of a Limnological Station in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte |
| 6345 | Establishment of a School of Fisheries in Loon, Bohol |
| 6349 | Rent Control Regulation |
| 6366 | Rehabilitation and Modernization of the Philippine National Railways |
| 6388 | "Election Code of 1971" |
| 6389 | Agricultural Land Reform Code Amendment |
| 6390 | Creation of Agrarian Reform Special Account |
| 6395 | National Power Corporation Charter Revision |
| 6397 | Integration of the Philippine Bar |
| 6410 | Salary Standardization in the Department of Education |
| 6425 | "The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972" |
| 6426 | "Foreign Currency Deposit Act of the Philippines" |
| 6440 | Creation of Barrio Fortuna in Marcos, Ilocos Norte |
| 6452 | Making Masinloc, Zambales a Port of Entry |
| 6489 | Creation of the Municipality of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon |
| 6516 | Providing for the Sale Of Agricultural Public Lands |
| 6533 | Congson Ice Plant And Cold Storage, Inc. Franchise |
| 6539 | "Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972" |
| 6551 | "General Appropriations Act of 1972" |
| 6552 | "Realty Installment Buyer Act" |
| 6591 | Creation of Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in the Province of Camarines Sur, Iriga and Naga Cities |
Leadership
Senate
- President: Gil Puyat
- President pro tempore: Jose Roy
- Majority Floor Leader: Arturo Tolentino
- Minority Floor Leader: Gerardo Roxas
House of Representatives
- Speaker:
- *Jose Laurel Jr., until April 1, 1971
- *Cornelio Villareal, from April 1, 1971
- Speaker pro tempore: Jose M. Aldeguer
- Majority Floor Leader:
- Minority Floor Leader:
- *Justiniano Montano, until June 12, 1971
- *Ramon Mitra Jr., June 12 – December 30, 1971
- *Ramon Felipe Jr., from January 24, 1972
Members
Senate
The following are the terms of the senators of this Congress, according to the date of election:- For senators elected on November 9, 1965: December 30, 1965 – December 30, 1971
- For senators elected on November 14, 1967: December 30, 1967 – December 30, 1973
- For senators elected on November 11, 1969: December 30, 1969 – December 30, 1975
- For senators elected on November 8, 1971: December 30, 1971 – December 30, 1977
House of Representatives
The term of office of the members of the House of Representatives was from December 30, 1969, to December 30, 1973.The House of Representatives adjourned following the declaration of martial law on September 23, 1972. It was then formally abolished with the ratification of the 1973 Constitution on January 17, 1973.