Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8806)
The law is titled 'Charter of the City of Sorsogon.'
The municipalities of Bacon and Sorsogon in the Province of Sorsogon were merged to create the City of Sorsogon.
The City of Sorsogon remains part of the First Congressional District of the Province of Sorsogon.
The City has the powers of perpetual succession, to sue and be sued, to use a corporate seal, to acquire, hold and convey property, to enter into contracts/agreements, and to exercise other powers subject to law.
Officials include the city mayor, city 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, environment and natural resources officer, city fire marshal, city jail warden, city school division superintendent, and city prosecutor.
The City Mayor must be at least 21 years old, an actual resident of the City for at least one year prior to the election, and a qualified voter therein.
Both the City Mayor and City Vice Mayor hold office for three years unless sooner removed.
The City Vice Mayor is the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and signs all warrants for expenditures appropriated for the operation of the sangguniang panlungsod.
The City Mayor may veto any ordinance within 10 days on grounds of ultra vires or public welfare and may veto specific items in appropriation ordinances. The Sangguniang Panlungsod may override the veto by two-thirds vote of all its members, making the ordinance effective.
The provincial governor appoints replacements who must be nominees of the political party of the vacating member, serving the unexpired term. If the member was independent, the city mayor appoints upon recommendation from the sangguniang panlungsod. Vacancies in youth and barangay representatives are filled automatically by the next ranking official.