Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8797)
The law is officially titled "Charter of the City of San Jose Del Monte."
The territorial jurisdiction of the City of San Jose Del Monte shall be within the present metes and bounds of the Municipality of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Province, as specifically described in the law with geographic coordinates and boundaries.
The city has corporate powers to have continuous succession, sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire and convey properties, enter contracts and agreements, and exercise other powers subject to the law.
The City may levy taxes, open and close public roads and spaces, hold and dispose of properties, expropriate private property for public use, engage in contracts, sue and be sued, and exercise powers granted to corporations or by law.
Officials include the city mayor, city vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, various department heads like city treasurer, assessor, engineer, health officer, legal officer, and others as enumerated in Section 7 of the Act.
The mayor must be at least 21 years old, an actual resident of the city for at least one year prior to election, and a qualified voter thereof.
The City Mayor holds office for three years unless sooner removed and receives a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade 30 under RA 6758.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is the city's legislative body, composed of the city vice mayor as presiding officer, ten regular members, the president of the city chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay, the SK federation president, and sectoral representatives including women, workers, and other sectors.
A majority of all elected and qualified members constitutes a quorum to transact official business.
Every ordinance must be presented to the City Mayor for approval. The mayor may approve or veto it. If vetoed, the Sangguniang Panlungsod may override the veto by a two-thirds vote. Ordinances take effect 10 days after posting unless otherwise stated.
Disqualifications include final judgement for crimes involving moral turpitude, administrative removal from office, violation of oath of allegiance, dual citizenship, being a fugitive, permanent residency abroad, and insanity or being feeble-minded.
If the mayor's office is vacant, the vice mayor assumes the position. For a vice mayor vacancy, the highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod member assumes office. Subsequent vacancies are filled automatically by the next ranking sangguniang panlungsod members.
The Vice Mayor acts as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, appoints officials and employees subject to civil service rules, assumes mayoral duties in cases of vacancy, and exercises other powers provided by law.
The mayor can issue, suspend, or revoke licenses and permits for activities including gambling authorized by law, permits for charitable events, and construction permits subject to laws and ordinances.
The city treasurer manages city funds, advises local officials on public finance, oversees fund disbursement, updates tax information, and performs duties as prescribed under RA 7160 and related laws.
The city legal officer is the chief legal counsel, represents the city in civil actions, drafts legal instruments, investigates misconduct of officials, prosecutes breaches of contracts, and advises on legal matters related to city governance.
Within 90 days of assuming office, the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall adopt or update its rules covering organization, committees, legislative process, parliamentary rules, discipline of members, and other operational matters.
The coordinator formulates integrated development plans, conducts studies, monitors projects, assists in fiscal and budgetary planning, promotes people's participation, and oversees the local development council secretariat.
Elective municipal officials continue to exercise powers until new elections are held, and appointive officials are absorbed automatically by the city government.