Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8535)
The title of the law is the "Charter of the City of San Jose Del Monte," embodied in Republic Act No. 8797.
The territorial jurisdiction of the City of San Jose Del Monte is within the present metes and bounds of the Municipality of San Jose Del Monte as detailed in Section 2 of RA 8797, including specified boundary points and coordinates.
The City has perpetual succession, can sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire and convey property, enter contracts, and exercise other powers subject to law and this Charter.
The elected officials include the City Mayor, City Vice Mayor, and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) as specified in Section 7.
A City Mayor must be at least 21 years old, a resident of San Jose Del Monte for at least one year before the election, and a qualified voter of the city.
Both the City Mayor and Vice Mayor hold office for three years unless sooner removed.
The City Mayor is the chief executive, responsible for implementing city laws and ordinances, appointing officials, representing the city in transactions, enforcing laws, delivering services, submitting reports, and managing disaster responses among other powers.
The Vice Mayor is elected at large by qualified city voters, possesses the same qualifications as the Mayor, acts as the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, appoints certain officials, and assumes the Mayor's office in case of vacancy.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is composed of the Vice Mayor as presiding officer, ten regular members, presidents of the city chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay and Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, and three sectoral representatives.
They enact ordinances and resolutions for efficient city governance, regulate business and social activities, protect public health and morals, grant franchises, levy taxes, approve budgets, regulate land use, and provide basic services.
The Mayor must communicate the veto with reasons within 10 days. The Sangguniang Panlungsod can override the veto by a two-thirds vote to make the ordinance effective.
Disqualifications include prior conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude within two years after serving sentence, removal from office via administrative case, dual citizenship, fugitives from justice, permanent foreign residency, insanity, among others.
If the Mayor's office is vacant, the Vice Mayor becomes Mayor. For Vice Mayor vacancies, the highest ranking Sangguniang Panlungsod member assumes the role. Subsequent vacancies are filled by ranking and succession rules set in Section 22.
The City Treasurer must be a Filipino citizen, resident of the city, of good moral character, hold a commerce, law or public administration degree, be a first grade civil service eligible, with 5 years experience. Duties include managing city funds, advising officials on finances, and tax collection.
A fire station must be established with adequate personnel and equipment, headed by a City Fire Marshal qualified as per Republic Act No. 6975. The service handles fire prevention, suppression, rescue, and emergency services.