QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 2259)
RA 2259 declares that the offices of Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and members of the city council (or municipal board) in all chartered cities—previously filled by appointment—are henceforth elective.
They are elected at large by the qualified voters of the city on the date of the elections for provincial and municipal officials, in conformity with the Revised Election Code.
It provides that qualified voters in Iloilo and Dagupan shall not vote for provincial officials, as their respective charters provide.
They assume office on the first day of January following the elections. Upon qualifying, they hold office for four years and until successors are duly elected and qualified, unless removed or suspended for cause as provided by law.
RA 2259 creates the position of Vice-Mayor, who shall be the presiding officer of the City Council or Municipal Board.
The Vice-Mayor exercises the powers and duties of the Mayor in the event of the latter’s inability to discharge them.
The Vice-Mayor becomes Mayor for the completion of the unexpired term.
The Councilor who received the highest number of votes in the last election serves as Acting Mayor. While serving, that Councilor does not perform duties as a member of the council but continues to hold the office of Councilor. The remaining council members elect a presiding officer among themselves.
The Councilor who received the highest number of votes in the last election serves as acting Vice-Mayor.
The Acting Mayor or Acting Vice-Mayor receives a total compensation equivalent to the salary of the Mayor or Acting Vice-Mayor, as the case may be, during the period of acting service.
They cease to act as ex-officio members of the City Council upon the election and qualification of their successors.
To maintain the present number of councilors/council members by creating as many elective councilor offices as there are ex-officio members who will cease being members after their successors are elected and qualified.
It states that in the City of Baguio there shall be six (6) councilors.
They continue in office until their successors are elected in the next general elections for local officials and have qualified, unless removed or suspended for cause.
Incumbent appointive city secretaries continue until an elective city council or municipal board is elected and qualified. Thereafter, the city secretary is elected by majority vote of the elective city council or municipal board.
He/She must be at least twenty-five years of age, a resident of the city for at least one year prior to election, and a qualified voter.
It provides salary ranges for Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and council members depending on the class of chartered city, subject to availability of funds, following RA No. 840—except that Quezon and Baguio are classified according to their charters as amended.
The City Council must make a proportional reduction for the next fiscal year, corresponding to salaries for the same officials in cities of a lower class, and down to the lesser rate determined for the lowest class—BUT in no case below the minimum fixed by the Minimum Wage Law.
RA 2259 does not apply to the cities of Manila, Cavite, Trece Martires, and Tagaytay.