Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10675)
The official title of the law is the "Charter of the City of General Trias," enacted as Republic Act No. 10675, approved on August 19, 2015.
The territorial jurisdiction of the City of General Trias shall be within the present metes and bounds of the Municipality of General Trias. It includes the current territory of the Municipality of General Trias in the Province of Cavite.
The City constitutes a political body corporate with perpetual succession and powers including: to sue and be sued; to have and use a corporate seal; to acquire, hold and convey real or personal property; to enter into contracts and agreements; and to exercise other powers, prerogatives, or authority subject to law.
The officials include: City Mayor, City Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod members, secretary to the Sanggunian, city treasurer, city assessor, city accountant, city budget officer, city planning and development officer, city engineer, city health officer, city civil registrar, city administrator, city legal officer, city social welfare and development officer, city veterinarian, and city general services officer. Additional optional officials may be appointed by the City Mayor.
The City Mayor must be a Filipino citizen, at least 21 years old, a resident of the City for at least one year prior to election, a qualified voter, and able to read and write Filipino or any local dialect. The term is three years with a maximum of three consecutive terms.
The City Mayor exercises general supervision and control of all city government programs, services, and activities, formulates city policies, implements development plans, proposes legislation, appoints officials, represents the city in business, enforces laws, manages resources, and ensures delivery of basic services among other duties.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is composed of the City Vice Mayor as presiding officer, ten regular members, presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay and Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, and three sectoral representatives from women, agricultural or industrial workers, and other sectors including urban poor or PWDs.
The City Mayor may veto an ordinance within ten days for reasons including that the ordinance is ultra vires or prejudicial to the public welfare. The ordinance is returned with objections to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, which may override the veto by a two-thirds vote to make the ordinance effective.
Disqualifications include: conviction by final judgment for offenses involving moral turpitude or punishable by imprisonment of one year or more; removal from office by administrative case; violation of oath of allegiance; dual citizenship; fugitive status from justice; permanent foreign residency; and insanity or being feeble-minded.
If the City Mayor's office becomes vacant permanently, the City Vice Mayor assumes the office. If the City Vice Mayor's office is vacant, the highest-ranking Sangguniang Panlungsod member assumes it. Subsequent vacancies are filled likewise by ranking members, with ranking based on votes received.
The City Treasurer is appointed by the Secretary of Finance from at least three eligible ranking recommendees of the City Mayor, subject to civil service laws. The appointee must be a Filipino citizen, a resident of General Trias, of good moral character, a college graduate preferably in commerce, public administration or law, a first grade civil service eligible, and with at least five years of experience in treasury or accounting.
The City Health Officer supervises health services, formulates health programs, enforces public health laws and ordinances, inspects establishments, provides health education, coordinates with agencies, and leads health-related emergency responses.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod enacts ordinances, approves resolutions, appropriates funds for the welfare of the city and its inhabitants. Ordinances approved are forwarded to the City Mayor for approval or veto, and can override vetoes. They also regulate licenses, franchises, and activities within the city.
No increase in the rates of local taxes shall be imposed by the City within five years from its acquisition of corporate existence.
The City of General Trias continues to be under the jurisdiction of the Province of Cavite unless otherwise provided by law.