QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 8526)
It is a political body corporate with perpetual succession, endowed with the attribute of a municipal corporation. Its corporate powers include continuous succession in its corporate name, suing and being sued, having/using a corporate seal, acquiring and conveying real/personal property, entering into contracts, condemning private property for public use, and exercising other powers granted to municipal corporations subject to the Charter and other laws.
It states that the City and its officials shall not be exempt from liability for death or injury to persons or damage to property—meaning they may be held liable under appropriate legal principles for harms.
For police purposes only, it is co-extensive with its territorial jurisdiction. For protecting/insuring purity of water supply, it extends over all territory within the drainage area of the water supply or within 100 meters of any reservoir, conduit, canal, aqueduct, or pumping station used for the city water service.
The city court has concurrent jurisdiction with courts of adjoining municipalities/cities to try crimes and misdemeanors committed within the drainage area or within 100 meters of specified water facilities; the court first taking cognizance has jurisdiction to the exclusion of others.
The required officials include the city mayor, vice mayor, members of the sangguniang panlungsod, secretary, city treasurer and assistant, city assessor and assistant, city accountant, budget officer, planning and development coordinator, engineer, health officer, civil registrar, administrator, legal officer, veterinarian, and social welfare/social development officer, and general services officer. The city mayor may also appoint (if permitted by the Charter) a city architect, information officer, population officer, environment and natural resources officer, and cooperatives officer.
Unless otherwise provided, appointive city officials are appointed by the city mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all sangguniang panlungsod members, subject to civil service laws. The sanggunian must act within 15 days from submission; otherwise the appointment is deemed confirmed.
At least 23 years old, an actual resident of the City for at least 1 year prior to election, and a qualified voter in the City.
Both hold office for three (3) years unless sooner removed. The mayor’s minimum monthly compensation corresponds to Salary Grade 30 (RA 6758), while the vice mayor corresponds to Salary Grade 28 (RA 6758).
Examples include: (1) determine guidelines of city policies and be responsible for the program of government; (2) direct formulation of the city development plan; (3) present the program of government to the sanggunian; (4) appoint officials/employees whose salaries are city-funded and whose appointment is not otherwise provided; (5) represent the City in business transactions and sign bonds/contracts; (6) carry out emergency measures during calamities; (7) enforce laws and ordinances; (8) issue licenses/permits and suspend/revoke for violations; (9) issue executive orders; and (10) act as deputized representative of the National Police Commission and exercise general operational control and supervision over local police forces per RA 6975.
The vice mayor presides over the sangguniang panlungsod and signs all warrants drawn on the city treasury for expenditures appropriated for the operation of the sanggunian.
It is composed of the vice mayor as presiding officer, 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 sectoral representatives. There are three sectoral representatives: one from women; one from agricultural or industrial workers; and one from other sectors including urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, or disabled persons.
Every ordinance is presented to the mayor; if approved, he signs each page. If vetoed, he returns it with objections. Veto override requires a two-thirds vote of all sanggunian members. The veto must be communicated within 10 days; otherwise, the ordinance is deemed approved as if signed.
The mayor may veto on grounds the ordinance is ultra vires or prejudicial to public welfare, stating reasons in writing. For particular items (appropriations ordinance items, local development plan/public investment program, or payment of money/creating liability), the veto affects only the objected items; non-objected items stand. Vetoed items do not take effect unless overridden by a two-thirds vote of all members.