Republic Act No. 354

: RA 354 amends the first paragraph of Section 13 of Commonwealth Act No. 326, as amended.
: The City Council is composed of the city mayor, vice-mayor, city engineer, city treasurer, and seven councilors elected by popular vote.
: The mayor acts as president of the council.
: Seven councilors are elected by popular vote.
: It recognizes that until the induction of elective successors in the next general election, the present appointive councilors continue to hold office.
: They continue to hold office until the induction of their elective successors in the next general election for city officials.
: Any vacancy shall be filled in accordance with existing law.
: It takes effect on the next regular election for city officials.
: The amended composition applies starting with the next general election and induction; prior to that, existing appointive councilors remain in office.
: Because RA 354 modifies Section 13 of CA 326 only after considering that Section 13 may already have prior amendments.
: The law aims to clarify and adjust the City Council’s membership structure—specifically the inclusion of seven popularly elected councilors and the leadership role of the mayor.
: Elective successors are those who will be elected in the next general election; present appointive councilors are those already holding office at the time of RA 354’s effectivity and will remain until those elective successors are inducted.