House of Representatives

The House of Representatives of the Philippines, also known by its alias HOR, serves as the lower chamber of the nation’s bicameral legislature and is responsible for drafting, debating, and enacting statutes that govern the country. Its primary function involves representing the interests of Filipino citizens through elected district and sectoral representatives who propose legislation, approve the national budget, and exercise oversight over the executive branch. The institution operates nationwide, with its members elected from various legislative districts and sectoral lists to ensure geographic and demographic representation in the lawmaking process. In addition to lawmaking, the House conducts inquiries in aid of legislation, ratifies international treaties, and has the sole power to initiate impeachment proceedings against high‑ranking officials. Its proceedings are open to the public, and it provides access to legislative documents, hearing transcripts, and session records through its official website and other outreach channels. The House also engages in constituency services, assisting individuals and communities with concerns related to government programs and services.

Distinguishing attributes of the House include its constitutional mandate as a co‑equal branch of government, its role in shaping national policy, and its responsibility to uphold the principle of separation of powers. The institution has demonstrated a commitment to modernising its information and communications technology infrastructure, as evidenced by its response to cyber incidents such as the distributed denial‑of‑service attack on March 13 2024 and the website defacement by the group 3musketeerz on October 14 2023. These events highlighted the House’s reliance on external security providers like Cloudflare and its coordination with national cybersecurity authorities to mitigate threats and restore service. Structurally, the House is a government entity that forms part of the Philippine Congress, operating under the authority of the 1987 Constitution and receiving its funding through the national budget process. It is not a privately owned corporation but a public institution accountable to the electorate and subject to oversight by the Commission on Audit and other accountability bodies. The House’s leadership is headed by the Speaker, who is elected by its members and presides over sessions, while its organisational structure includes various committees that specialise in areas such as appropriations, justice, and foreign affairs. These characteristics collectively define the House’s central role in the Philippine democratic system and its ongoing efforts to maintain both legislative effectiveness and digital resilience.