Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9022)
The Act is known as the "Charter of the City of Gapan."
The territorial jurisdiction of the City of Gapan comprises the present metes and bounds of the Municipality of Gapan in Nueva Ecija Province, containing an area of approximately 16,444 hectares.
The City has powers to have continuous succession in its corporate name; to sue and be sued; to have and use a corporate seal; to acquire, hold and convey property; to enter into contracts; and to exercise other powers subject to the Act and laws.
Officials include the city mayor, city vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, city treasurer and assistant treasurer, city assessor and assistant assessor, city accountant, budget officer, planning and development coordinator, city engineer, health officer, civil registrar, city administrator, legal officer, social welfare officer, veterinarian, general services officer, agriculturist, cooperatives officer, environment and natural resources officer; with optional appointments like city architect, information officer, and population officer.
The candidate must be at least 21 years old, an actual resident of Gapan for at least one year prior, and a qualified voter therein.
The City Mayor serves a term of three years unless sooner removed and receives a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to salary grade 30, per RA No. 6758.
The City Vice Mayor acts as the presiding officer of the sangguniang panlungsod, signs warrants for its expenditures, appoints officials and employees except those appointed by the mayor or vice mayor under special provisions, assumes the mayoralty in case of vacancy, and performs other duties under Republic Act No. 7160 and laws.
It is composed of the city vice mayor as presiding officer, 10 regular sangguniang members, the liga ng mga barangay president, the panlungsod na pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan president, and three sectoral representatives (women, agricultural or industrial workers, and other sectors such as urban poor or indigenous cultural communities).
Every ordinance is presented to the city mayor. If approved, signed by the mayor; if vetoed within 10 days, sent back with objections. The sangguniang panlungsod may override the veto by two-thirds vote. If the mayor takes no action within 10 days, the ordinance is deemed approved.
Disqualifications include: final conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude or punishable by 1 year or more imprisonment within 2 years after serving sentence; removal from office by administrative case; conviction for violating oath of allegiance; dual citizenship; fugitive status from justice; permanent residency abroad; and insanity or being feeble-minded.