Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9398)
Republic Act No. 9398 is officially known as the "Charter of the City of Tayabas."
It converts the Municipality of Tayabas in the Province of Quezon into a component city to be known as the City of Tayabas.
The City has continuous succession, can sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire and convey property, enter contracts, and exercise other powers necessary for governance as provided by law.
The City's police jurisdiction is co-extensive with its territorial jurisdiction, and additionally, it extends over the drainage area of its water supply or within 100 meters of reservoirs and related infrastructure.
Officials include a city mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, secretary, treasurer, assessor, accountant, budget officer, planning and development coordinator, engineer, health officer, civil registrar, legal officer, social welfare officer, veterinarian, general services officer, cooperatives officer, building officer, and others the mayor may appoint, among additional offices.
The City Mayor must be at least 21 years old, a resident of the City for at least one year prior to election, a qualified voter, and serves a three-year term unless removed sooner.
It enacts ordinances, approves resolutions, appropriates funds, regulates local business, grants franchises, imposes taxes, passes zoning laws, and adopts measures for peace and order and general welfare, among others.
The Mayor may veto ordinances stating reasons in writing; the Sanggunian can override the veto with a two-thirds vote. The Mayor must return vetoed ordinances within ten days; otherwise, they are deemed approved.
The City Vice Mayor assumes the office of City Mayor in case of a permanent vacancy. If both are vacant, the highest ranking Sanggunian members assume the offices according to their ranking, serving only the unexpired terms.
Approved ordinances are forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for review within three days. The provincial board has 30 days to review and may declare ordinances invalid if beyond powers; otherwise, ordinances are presumed valid.