Section 16Sec./Art. 16

Vacancy in the Congress. - Whenever a vacancy in the Congress occurs at least ten months before the next regular election of the Members of Congress whose office is vacant, the President, as soon as he is notified by the House where the vacancy occurred of the existence of such vacancy, shall call a special election to fill said vacancy. In case the vacancy is caused by the death of a Member against whom there is no pending protest while the Congress is not in session, the certification of the Presiding Officer of the House where the vacancy occurred of the existence of such vacancy shall be sufficient basis for the President of the Philippines to call such special election.