n the building which may
be designated, will proceed to its preliminary labors, designating
by plurality of votes a commission composed of five individuals
charged with examining documents accrediting each representative,
and another commission, composed of three individuals, who will
examine the documents which the five of the former commission exhibit.

Article XIII. On the following day the above named representatives will
meet again and the two commissions will read their respective reports
concerning the legality of the said documents, deciding by an absolute
majority of votes on the character of those which appear doubtful.

This business completed, it will proceed to designate, also by absolute
majority, a President, a Vice President, and two secretaries, who
shall be chosen from among the representatives, whereupon the congress
shall be considered organized, and shall notify the government of
the result of the election.

Article XIV. The place where congress deliberates is sacred and
inviolable, and no armed force shall enter therein unless the
President thereof shall ask therefor in order to establish internal
order disturbed by those who can neither honor themselves nor its
august functions.

Article XV. The powers of congress are: To watch over the general
interest of the Philippine people, and the carrying out of the
revolutionary laws; to discuss and vote upon said laws; to discuss and
approve prior to their ratification treaties and loans; to examine and
approve the accounts presented annually by the secretary of finance, as
well as extraordinary and other taxes which may hereafter be imposed.

Article XVI. Congress shall also be consulted in all grave and
important questions, the determination of which admits of delay or
adjournment; but the President of the government shall have power to
decide questions of urgent character, but in that case he shall give
account by message to said body of the decision which he has adopted.

Article XVII. Every representative shall have power to present to
congress any project of a law, and every secretary on the order of
the President of the government shall have similar power.

Article XVIII. The sessions of congress shall be public, and only
in cases which require reserve shall it have power to hold a secret
session.

Article XIX. In the order of its deliberations, as well as in the
internal government of the body the instructions which shall be
formulated b