Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4586)
Republic Act No. 4586 is known as the Charter of Laurel City.
Laurel City comprises the present territorial jurisdiction of the Municipality of Batangas in the Province of Batangas, and the President may increase its territory by adding contiguous barrios or municipalities by executive order.
Laurel City is a political body corporate with perpetual succession and possesses the powers of a municipal corporation exercised in conformity with its Charter.
The Mayor is the chief executive, elected by qualified city voters, must have been a qualified voter for at least five years prior to election, and holds office for four years.
The Mayor has control over the executive and administrative functions, enforces laws and ordinances, safeguards city property, causes judicial proceedings, ensures tax collection, appoints city employees (subject to laws), submits annual budgets, grants or revokes licenses, and performs other duties as prescribed by law or ordinance.
The Municipal Board is the city’s legislative body composed of the Vice-Mayor as presiding officer and eight councilors elected at large. Members must be qualified city electors, residents for at least five years prior, and at least twenty-three years old.
The Board can levy and collect taxes, make appropriations, fix salaries, enact ordinances for peace, health, and welfare, regulate businesses and professions, regulate property use, establish public services, and adopt measures for city prosperity and order.
An annual tax not exceeding 1.5% ad valorem may be imposed on real estate after ten years from the Charter's effectivity, with penalties for delinquency, exemptions for certain properties, procedures for assessment, collection, seizure, sale, and redemption provided.
The President of the Philippines appoints these key officials with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
The city court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases under city ordinances and general laws, can administer oaths, issue summons and warrants, punish contempt, and try violations of city laws, with appeals governed by the Rules of Court.
The Municipal Board and Mayor have the authority by ordinance to regulate and promulgate laws concerning night-clubs, cabarets, cockpits, bars, and sale of intoxicating liquors; previous national laws remain in force until replaced by local ordinances.
The Chief of Police manages the police department, issues regulations, quells riots, arrests offenders, supervises the city prison, serves criminal processes, and exercises all police powers within city jurisdiction.
The Municipal Board may pass ordinances levying special assessments on land specially benefited by public works, with required public notices, hearings for protests, appeals, assessment apportionment based on valuations, and payment with penalties for delinquency.
City officers are prohibited from engaging in business transactions with the city or purchasing city property, acting as surety for persons or firms dealing with the city, or having a financial interest in transactions involving the city or National Government subdivisions.
The City Treasurer prepares a financial statement and revenue estimates to the Mayor, who then submits a detailed budget to the Municipal Board at least two and a half months before the fiscal year begins. The Board enacts the appropriation ordinance, with limitations on salary appropriations.