QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 603)
It comprises the present territorial jurisdiction of the municipality of Capiz in the Province of Capiz.
The City of Roxas is a political body corporate with perpetual succession and the powers of a municipal corporation, exercised in conformity with the charter.
The city may have a common seal; alter it; take, purchase, receive, hold, lease, convey, and dispose real and personal property for city interests; condemn private property for public use; contract; sue and be sued; and prosecute and defend where the city is a party.
No. The City is not liable or held for damages or injuries arising from failure of the Municipal Board, Mayor, or other city officers/employees to enforce the charter or other laws/ordinances, or from negligence of such officials while enforcing or attempting to enforce.
For police purposes, coextensive with the city’s territorial jurisdiction; and for protecting/insuring purity of the water supply, it extends over territory within the drainage area of the water supply or within 100 meters of any reservoir, conduit, canal, aqueduct, or pumping station used in connection with the city water service.
The Mayor is appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments and holds office at the pleasure of the President.
Among others: enforce laws/ordinances; safeguard city property and rights; ensure collection and proper use of revenues; institute/defend suits to protect city interests; supervise executive officers/employees; inspect records at least annually; give information and recommendations; represent the city and sign bonds/contracts; submit a yearly budget to the Municipal Board; receive and decide petitions/complaints claims of residents on administrative/executive matters; grant/refuse/revoke licenses and permits; take emergency measures against fires/floods/storms; submit annual report to the President; and perform other duties prescribed by law/ordinance.
The Vice-Mayor performs the Mayor’s duties during sickness/absence/temporary incapacity or until Mayor vacancy is filled; presides over Municipal Board meetings but votes only in case of tie. If the Vice-Mayor is temporarily incapacitated or the office is vacant, the duties of the Mayor are performed by the city treasurer (the acting Mayor has the same powers and duties as the Mayor).
It consists of the Vice-Mayor (presiding officer) and six councilors: three appointed by the President with CA consent and three elected at-large by popular vote. Ordinances require four affirmative votes for passage.
Unless President orders otherwise: one ordinary session per week (day fixed by resolution) and up to 15 extraordinary sessions per year called by the Mayor. Meetings generally have open doors unless a different order is approved by affirmative vote of four members. Quorum is four members; a smaller number may adjourn and compel attendance by ordering arrest/production of absent members under penalties prescribed by ordinance.
After passage, the ordinance/resolution directing payment of money/creating liability is sent to the Mayor within which he must approve or veto within 10 days. If not returned, deemed approved. If vetoed, reasons in writing accompany the veto; it may be repassed by affirmative votes of five members and resubmitted; if Mayor again vetoes within 10 days, forwarded to the President for final approval/disapproval in whole/part.
Penalties cannot exceed a two hundred-peso fine or six months’ imprisonment, or both such fine and imprisonment, for a single offense.
Yes. It is unlawful for city officers to engage in business transactions with the city or its officials/boards/agents/attorneys where money will be paid out of city resources to them; to purchase city real estate or property sold for taxes/assessments or by legal process at the city’s suit; or to act as surety for persons contracting with the city; or to be surety on the official bond of city officers.
He acts as chief fiscal officer/custodian of funds; collects city taxes/licenses/rents and issues receipts; collects taxes/charges as deputy collector of internal revenue for certain deposits; purchases supplies through authorized channels; is accountable and renders accounts; deposits municipal funds in government depositories; disburses funds via authorized appropriations and approved vouchers; and provides monthly statements to the Mayor and Municipal Board.
Exemptions include properties owned by the Republic of the Philippines, the Province of Capiz, or the City of Roxas; burying grounds; churches and adjacent parsonages/convents; and lands/buildings used exclusively for religious/charitable/scientific/educational purposes not for profit (with an exception for properties held for investment even if income is devoted to such purposes). Also exempt: only real property of an owner valued not exceeding two hundred pesos.
Persons who acquire real estate, or construct/add improvements, must present a sworn declaration within 60 days next succeeding acquisition/construction/addition, stating value and description sufficient for identification. Failure to file within the period results in waiver of the right to notice of assessment; assessment in the name of former owner remains valid/binding.
If owner fails to return or is unknown, the assessor lists it and charges tax against the true owner if known, or against an unknown owner if unknown. If ownership is in dispute or doubt, taxes are levied against the possessor(s). If land and improvements are separately owned, separate assessments for each are made.
The assessor must list and value it and charge taxes due for the current year and the last preceding one year. If the owner’s fault/negligence caused the escape, penalties are added as if assessed at the proper time, and taxes become legal and collectible by remedies provided.