Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8803)
The law is titled "Charter of the City of Koronadal," enacted as Republic Act No. 8803.
The territory of the City of Koronadal is the present territory of the Municipality of Koronadal, South Cotabato Province, with specific metes and bounds detailed in the law, covering an area of approximately 27,700 hectares.
The City has continuous succession, may sue and be sued, have and use a corporate seal, acquire/hold/convey property, enter into contracts/agreements, and exercise other powers subject to law.
City officials include the city mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, city treasurer and assistant, city assessor and assistant, city accountant, city budget officer, city planning and development coordinator, city engineer, city health officer, city civil registrar, city administrator, city legal officer, city social welfare and development officer, city veterinarian, city general services officer, city agriculturist, city cooperatives officer, and city environmental and natural resources officer. The city mayor may appoint a city architect, city information officer, and city population officer.
The city mayor must be at least 21 years old, a resident of Koronadal for at least one year prior to election, and a qualified voter. The term is three years unless sooner removed.
The mayor is the chief executive, directs city policies and programs, appoints officials/employees, represents the city in transactions, enforces laws and ordinances, manages resources, and oversees disaster response, among others.
The city vice mayor is elected in the same manner and qualifications as the mayor, serves a three-year term. Duties include presiding over the sangguniang panlungsod, signing warrants for its expenditures, appointing certain officials, and assuming the mayorship in case of vacancy.
It is composed of the city vice mayor as presiding officer, ten regular sanggunian members, the president of the city chapter of the liga ng mga barangay, the president of the panlungsod na pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan, and three sectoral representatives (from women, agricultural/industrial workers, other sectors).
The Sangguniang Panlungsod enacts ordinances and resolutions for effective city governance, imposes penalties, regulates local activities and land use, approves budgets, levies taxes, grants franchises, protects the environment, and oversees basic services among other powers.
Ordinances passed by the sangguniang panlungsod are presented to the city mayor for approval. The mayor may approve or veto with written reasons. If vetoed, the sangguniang panlungsod may override the veto by two-thirds vote to make the ordinance effective.
The sangguniang panlalawigan reviews ordinances within 30 days, aided by the provincial attorney or prosecutor. They may declare ordinances invalid if beyond the sangguniang panlungsod's power. Failure to act within 30 days means ordinances are presumed valid.
The city treasurer must be a citizen, city resident, of good moral character, holder of a college degree in commerce, public administration, or law, first-grade civil service eligible, and have 5 years treasury/accounting experience. Appointed by the Secretary of Finance from a list recommended by the city mayor, subject to civil service rules.
Persons convicted of offenses involving moral turpitude or punishable by one year imprisonment within two years after serving sentence, removed from office by administrative case, convicted for violating oath of allegiance, with dual citizenship, fugitives from justice, permanent residents abroad, and the insane or feeble-minded are disqualified.
The city vice mayor assumes the office of city mayor. For a permanent vacancy in the vice mayor's office, the highest-ranking sangguniang panlungsod member succeeds. Subsequent vacancies in those offices are filled automatically by other sanggunian members according to ranking.
The city legal officer must be a Philippine citizen, city resident, member of the Philippine Bar, with at least 5 years of professional practice. The officer is the city’s chief legal counsel, representing the city in civil actions, drafting ordinances, rendering legal opinions, investigating misconduct, and advising the mayor and sangguniang panlungsod.
The city health officer must be a licensed medical practitioner, Philippine citizen, city resident, good moral character, with 5 years practice experience. The officer supervises health services, formulates health policies, enforces public health laws, coordinates health programs, and is key in disaster-related health responses.
The city shall establish at least one fire station with adequate personnel and facilities per standards from the Department of the Interior and Local Government. It is headed by a city fire marshal qualified under Republic Act No. 6975.
Ordinances take effect after 10 days from posting in at least three conspicuous places including City Hall. The secretary of the sangguniang panlungsod ensures timely posting and publication. Ordinances with penal sanctions must be published in a newspaper of general circulation.
No increase in the rates of local taxes shall be imposed by the City within five years from its acquisition of corporate existence.