Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 5185)
The short title of Republic Act No. 5185 is the Decentralization Act of 1967.
The policy of the State is to transform local governments gradually into effective instruments through which the people can govern themselves genuinely and work out their own destinies, granting them greater freedom and autonomous powers.
They are empowered to undertake field agricultural extension work and rural health work to assist or supplement existing national programs within their jurisdiction, administered according to national policies.
The Provincial Governor appoints provincial heads, and the City Mayor appoints city heads, subject to civil service laws, except for certain positions exempted by the law.
The grounds are disloyalty to the Republic, dishonesty, oppression, and misconduct in office.
Charges against provincial and city officials are preferred before the President and heard by the President, Provincial Board, or City or Municipal Council as appropriate.
The preventive suspension shall not extend beyond sixty days after the date of suspension.
Members of Provincial Boards or City or Municipal Councils, provincial governors, city and municipal mayors are prohibited from appearing as counsel in civil or criminal cases where the local government is adverse or involves officers or employees in relation to their office.
The board or council member who obtained the highest number of votes or highest percentage of total votes cast in the last election succeeds to the office, provided they meet all requirements.
The allotment share is increased from ten percent to thirteen percent for provinces and cities, and from two percent to four percent for municipalities excluding cities.