Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8553)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 8553 is to amend Section 41(b) of Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, specifically regarding the composition and election of regular members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod, and sangguniang bayan.
First and second-class provinces shall have ten (10) regular members in their sangguniang panlalawigan.
Third and fourth-class provinces shall have eight (8) regular members of the sangguniang panlalawigan.
Fifth and sixth-class provinces shall have six (6) regular members of the sangguniang panlalawigan.
In provinces having more than five (5) legislative districts, each district shall have two (2) sangguniang panlalawigan members.
Sangguniang barangay members shall be elected at large according to RA 8553.
The presidents of the leagues of sanggunian members of component cities and municipalities, the presidents of the liga ng mga barangay, and the pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan elected by their respective chapters serve as ex officio members of the sangguniang panlalawigan.
The election for any additional regular member to the sangguniang panlalawigan shall be held not earlier than six (6) months after the May 11, 1998 national and local elections.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is tasked with issuing appropriate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of RA 8553.
All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, administrative regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with RA 8553 are repealed or modified accordingly.
Republic Act No. 8553 took effect upon publication in at least two newspapers of national circulation.
Section 41(b) of Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, was amended by RA 8553.