Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8535)
The act is officially titled "Charter of the City of Novaliches" as stated in Section 1 of the Act.
The territorial jurisdiction of the City of Novaliches comprises fifteen barangays: Talipapa, Sauyo, Bagbag, San Bartolome, Nagkaisang Nayon, Gulod, Novaliches Proper, San Agustin, Kaligayahan, Sta. Monica, Capri, Sta. Lucia, Pasong Putik Proper, Greater Lagro, and North Fairview, excluding the La Mesa Dam Watershed, as detailed in Section 2.
According to Section 3, the City of Novaliches has the powers to have continuous succession in its corporate name, to sue and be sued, to have and use a corporate seal, to acquire and convey real or personal property, to enter into contracts, and to exercise such other powers granted to corporations within the limits of this Act and other laws.
Section 4 states the City can levy taxes, open and close roads, purchase, lease and dispose of real and personal property, enter contracts, sue and be sued, prosecute and defend suits, and exercise other powers necessary for governance and corporate functions.
Per Section 7, the City shall have a mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, and various appointed officials including a city treasurer, city assessor, city accountant, city legal officer, and others as specified, with the mayor having the power to appoint additional officers with the consent of the sangguniang panlungsod.
According to Section 8, the City Mayor holds office for three years unless removed earlier and receives a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade Thirty (30) under Republic Act No. 6758.
Section 8 lists the Mayor's duties including executing laws and ordinances, implementing development plans, appointing officials, representing the City in transactions, enforcing rules, calling meetings, managing emergencies, and ensuring delivery of basic services and efficient governance.
Section 8 and 9 provide that candidates must be at least 25 years old for Mayor and 18 years old for sangguniang panlungsod members, residents for at least one year, and qualified voters of the City.
Section 10 provides that the sangguniang panlungsod consists of the vice mayor, regular members, the SK president, and sectoral representatives. It enacts ordinances, reviews barangay ordinances, regulates local affairs including taxation, land use, public safety, and promotes local welfare according to the Local Government Code.
Section 15 and 16 explain that ordinances are presented to the Mayor who may approve or veto them. The sangguniang panlungsod can override a mayoral veto by a two-thirds vote. Ordinances not acted upon by the Mayor within 10 days are deemed approved.
Section 20 outlines disqualifications including conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude, removal from office due to administrative cases, violation of oath of allegiance, dual citizenship, being a fugitive from justice, permanent foreign residence, and insanity or mental incapacity.
As per Section 21, the vice mayor assumes the mayoralty if the mayor's office is vacant. If either office becomes vacant, succession is by ranking of sangguniang panlungsod members based on votes received. Further vacancies are filled similarly and ties are resolved by lot.
Sections 25, 27, and 36 detail qualifications including Philippine citizenship, residency in the City, good moral character, relevant professional degrees or licenses, civil service eligibility, and a minimum number of years of related experience.
Section 24 states that the Secretary attends sanggunian sessions, keeps the journal of proceedings, manages the City seal, ensures publication of ordinances, keeps public records, and performs other duties as required under the Local Government Code.
Sections 46 and 47 establish that the City Fire Station is responsible for fire prevention, suppression, and emergency rescue, headed by a fire marshal. The City Jail Service maintains custody and safekeeping of detainees with respect to their welfare and rights, headed by a qualified jail warden.