Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8223)
The official title is 'Charter of the City of Marikina' as stipulated in Section 1 of the law.
The City has perpetual succession, can sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire and convey property, enter into contracts, and exercise other powers granted to corporations, subject to limitations in the law.
Elective officials include the city mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, and sectoral representatives as provided by the charter.
The mayor must be at least 23 years old, an actual resident of the City for at least one year prior to election, and a qualified voter. The term is three years unless sooner removed.
The City Mayor exercises executive powers such as initiating legislative measures, appointing officials, directing city development plans, enforcing laws and ordinances, managing city resources, and handling emergency situations among others as detailed in Section 8.
The Vice Mayor is elected at large with the same qualifications as the mayor, holds office for three years, and serves as presiding officer of the sangguniang panlungsod, appoints sangguniang officials, and assumes the mayor’s office if vacated.
It is composed of the vice mayor as presiding officer, regular members, and sectoral representatives. Its role is legislative, enacting ordinances, pass resolutions, manage city resources, regulate businesses, and oversee city governance functions.
Disqualifications include final conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude or imprisonment of one year or more within 2 years after serving sentence, removal from office due to administrative cases, dual citizenship, being a fugitive from justice, insanity, or permanent residency abroad among others.
The vice mayor succeeds the mayor if permanent vacancy occurs; sangguniang members fill the vice mayor position based on ranking. Other vacancies in the sangguniang panlungsod are filled by appointment from the President upon nomination by the political party of the vacating member or by the city mayor and sangguniang panlungsod for non-partisan members.
Every ordinance is presented to the mayor for approval or veto. If vetoed on grounds of being ultra vires or prejudicial to public welfare, it returns to the sangguniang panlungsod, which may override the veto by a two-thirds vote to enact the ordinance.
The City Mayor acts as the deputized representative of the National Police Commission with general and operational supervision over local police, formulates peace and order plans, and can call on law enforcement agencies to suppress disorders when needed.
No increase in rates of local taxes shall be imposed within five years from the city’s acquisition of corporate existence.
The Secretary must be a Filipino citizen, resident of Marikina, of good moral character, hold a college degree preferably in law, commerce, or public administration, and be first grade civil service eligible. The appointment is made by the city mayor with sangguniang panlungsod concurrence.
The city treasurer takes custody of city funds, manages disbursements, advises city officials on financial matters, inspects private commercial establishments for tax enforcement, and maintains tax information systems.
The Mayor must visit component barangays at least once every six months to understand problems, provide counsel, and ensure governance improves quality of life.