Creation and functions of Batasan Bayan

Section 2 provides that the Batasan Bayan is composed of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, the members of the Cabinet, and officials with the rank of Cabinet Members.
Section 2 includes the members of the Lupon Tagapagpaganap, as determined under P.D. No. 925 (Organizing the Pampook na Katipunan ng mga Sanggunian).
Section 2 allows the President to appoint such other members as may be designated from time to time.
Section 3 provides that members hold office while they remain members of the Lupon Tagapagpaganap or the Cabinet, or hold office at the pleasure of the President if from the private sector.

Section 4 provides that the Batasan Bayan functions as an advisory body to the President on legislative matters.
Section 4(a) requires the Batasan Bayan to assist and advise the President on the President’s lawmaking functions.
Section 4(b) provides that the Batasan Bayan offers a forum for the citizenry through its designated representatives to ventilate views on national issues and opinions on how government affairs are administered.
Section 4(c) directs the Batasan Bayan to provide a forum for rationalization, unification, and clarification of Executive Branch policies and programs.
Section 4(d) mandates a mechanism to conduct a review of the structures, policies, and efficiencies of different Barangays and Sanggunians and to submit findings and recommendations to the President.

Section 5 provides that the Batasan Bayan initially convenes on September 21, 1976.
Section 5 provides that it thereafter convenes upon the call of the President at least once a year.
Section 5 provides that it meets for a duration determined by the Rules Committee.
Section 5 requires that sessions be held in Metro Manila, at a place to be determined by the President.

Section 6(a) provides that the President is the Presiding Officer of the Batasan Bayan and must designate an Assistant Presiding Officer.
Section 6(b) provides that, as Presiding Officer, the President constitutes a Rules Committee composed of cabinet members and officials with the rank of Cabinet Members.
Section 6(c) provides that the Batasan Bayan creates standing committees, and their chairmen must be chosen from among cabinet members and officials with the rank of Cabinet Members.
Section 6(c) authorizes cabinet members and officials with the rank of Cabinet Members to be designated as Floorleaders.
Section 6(c) requires the Batasan Bayan, in accordance with its Rules, to elect such other officers as may be necessary to carry out its functions.

Section 7(a) provides that a majority of the membership constitutes a quorum to conduct business.
Section 7(a) provides that sessions and deliberations are open to the public, except when matters discussed pertain to or affect national security or otherwise require secrecy (as determined by the Batasan Bayan).
Section 7(b) requires the Batasan Bayan to keep a journal of its proceedings.
Section 7(c) authorizes the Batasan Bayan or any of its Committees to conduct inquiries and public hearings in aid of its advisory functions.
Section 7(d) requires that, according to its Rules, the Batasan Bayan initially consider and deliberate on legislative proposals certified to it by the President, including proposed guidelines of national policy and programs of government.
Section 7(e) requires that all actions and recommendations be in the form of resolutions.
Section 7(e) provides that after final passage under its Rules, the resolution(s) are submitted to the President.

Section 8(a) authorizes a member to prepare and submit legislative proposals affecting the member’s Department if the member is a Cabinet member or an official with the rank of Cabinet Member.
Section 8(a) authorizes a member to prepare and submit legislative proposals on matters of particular interest or application to the member’s locality if the member is from the Lupon Tagapagpaganap.
Section 8(b) provides that members receive no additional emolument when acting as such, except that members of the Lupon Tagapagpaganap in the different Pampook na Katipunan ng mga Sanggunian Bayan may be given reasonable per diem and travel allowance.
Section 8(b) provides that per diem and travel allowance are determined by the Rules Committee.

Section 9 appropriates Two Million Pesos to meet the Batasan Bayan’s organizational and other expenses.
Section 9 directs that the appropriation comes out of any unexpended balance of the National Treasury.
Section 9 mandates that thereafter the President shall authorize the release of such amounts as may be periodically needed by the Batasan Bayan from the same source.

Section 10 provides that the Decree takes effect immediately.
The Decree is dated September 10, 1976 and signed by Ferdinand E. Marcos as President.
The Decree is also attested by Jacobo Clave, Presidential Executive Assistant.