Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10161)
The official title of the Act is the "Charter of the City of Imus," also known as Republic Act No. 10161.
The territorial jurisdiction of the City of Imus shall be within the present metes and bounds of the Municipality of Imus in the Province of Cavite, subject to the resolution of any boundary disputes.
The City of Imus is granted corporate powers including perpetual succession, the ability to sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire and convey property, enter into contracts/agreements, and exercise powers subject to law and this Charter.
The city mayor is the chief executive of the city, responsible for policy guidelines, development plans, appointments, representation in transactions, enforcement of laws and ordinances, emergency measures, and overall governance in accordance with the Charter and the Local Government Code.
It is composed of the city vice mayor as presiding officer, twelve (12) regular members, the presidents of the city Liga ng mga Barangay and Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, and three (3) sectoral representatives from women, agricultural or industrial workers, and other sectors.
Ordinances are approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod and presented to the city mayor. The mayor may veto ordinances within 10 days with written objections. The Sangguniang Panlungsod may override the veto by a two-thirds vote, making the ordinance effective without the mayor's approval.
The city mayor must be a Filipino citizen at the time of election, at least 21 years old, a resident of the City of Imus for at least one year before the election, a qualified voter therein, and able to read and write Filipino or any local language or dialect.
If the city mayor's office becomes permanently vacant, the city vice mayor assumes the position. If the city vice mayor's office is vacant, the highest-ranking Sangguniang Panlungsod member assumes it, with subsequent vacancies filled automatically by ranking among members or by appointment per the Charter.
Disqualifications include having been sentenced for offenses involving moral turpitude or imprisonment of one year or more within two years after serving sentence; removal from office by administrative case; conviction for violating oath of allegiance; dual citizenship; fugitives from justice; permanent residents abroad; and insanity or mental incapacity.
No increase in the rates of local taxes shall be imposed by the City of Imus within five (5) years from its acquisition of corporate existence as a city.