i. Senators and Members of the House of Representatives (Const., Art. VI, Sec. 14)

Diplomatic and parliamentary immunity

It is a well-recognized principle of international law that diplomatic representatives are exempt from the criminal and civil jurisdiction of foreign courts.

This exemption includes the freedom from arrest, prosecution, and punishment for violation of penal laws.

For senators and congressmen, the privilege of parliamentary immunity will NOT APPLY when:

• The offense committed by them is punishable by imprisonment of more than six years even if Congress is in session (People v. Jalosjos, G.R. No. 132875-76, 2000); and
• Congress is NOT in session when the crime was committed (PHIL. CONST. art. VI, Sec. 11)