QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9391)
RA 9391 converts the Municipality of Catbalogan into a component city known as the City of Catbalogan, retaining the municipality’s present territory as the city’s territorial jurisdiction.
It provides that the conversion does not prejudice existing boundary disputes; the disputed area remains under the local government unit that has existing administrative supervision until final resolution.
The city is a political body corporate with perpetual succession and powers typical of municipal corporations: suing and being sued, using a corporate seal, acquiring and disposing property, entering contracts, and exercising other powers granted by the charter and other laws.
The city must exercise express, necessarily implied, and incidental powers for efficient governance and promotion of general welfare, including health and safety, balanced ecology, scientific capability, morals, economic prosperity and social justice, full employment, peace and order, and comfort and convenience of inhabitants.
Unless otherwise provided by bylaw, the city is liable for injuries or damages arising from acts or omissions of its officers or employees while performing official functions.
For police purposes only, it is coextensive with the city’s territorial jurisdiction, and it additionally extends over all territory within the drainage area of the city’s water supply or within 100 meters of any reservoir, conduit, canal, aqueduct, or pumping station used for city water service.
Regional trial courts and city courts have concurrent jurisdiction with metropolitan/city/municipal courts of adjoining areas to try crimes and misdemeanors committed within the drainage area or within 100 meters of the relevant water facilities.
The court first taking cognizance of the offense has jurisdiction to the exclusion of others.
Mayor: minimum Salary Grade 30; Vice Mayor: minimum Salary Grade 28; sangguniang panlungsod regular and sectoral members: minimum Salary Grade 25.
Appointive city officials are appointed by the city mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all sangguniang panlungsod members, subject to civil service rules; the sanggunian must act within 15 days or the appointment is deemed confirmed.
Among others: setting city policy guidelines, directing development plan formulation and implementing it upon approval, presenting the program of government, initiating legislative measures, appointing city officials/employees whose appointments are not otherwise provided, representing the city in transactions, enforcing laws and ordinances, issuing executive orders, and acting as deputized representative for peace and order (PNP control) under RA 6975.
It includes the city vice mayor (presiding officer), ten (10) regular members, the presidents of the city chapter of Liga ng mga Barangay and the panlungsod SK federation, plus sectoral representatives (three: women; agricultural or industrial workers; and other sectors including urban poor/ICCs/disabled persons) and other members as provided by law.
At least 21 years old, a resident of the city for at least one year prior to election, and a qualified voter therein.
They must possess the same qualifications as the city mayor and vice mayor, except that candidates must be at least 18 years old on election day.
Ordinances are presented to the city mayor. If approved, he signs each page; if vetoed, he returns with objections for reconsideration. The sanggunian may override the veto by a 2/3 vote of all members. Veto communication must be within 10 days; otherwise, the ordinance is deemed approved.
If the mayor’s office has a permanent vacancy, the vice mayor becomes mayor. If the vice mayor’s office also has a permanent vacancy, the highest-ranking sangguniang panlungsod member becomes vice mayor (or the first/second highest become mayor/vice mayor if both offices are vacant). They serve only the unexpired term, and ties are resolved by drawing of lots.
The provincial governor appoints the replacement, but only the nominee of the political party under which the vacant member was elected may be appointed, accompanied by nomination and certificate of membership from the highest party official; without these, the appointment is null and void.