Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8488)
The law is officially titled as the "Charter of the City of Victorias" enacted under Republic Act No. 8488.
The City of Victorias comprises the present territory of the Municipality of Victorias in Negros Occidental, bounded by the Municipalities of Manapla, Cadiz, E.B. Magalona and includes specific metes and bounds covering approximately 133.92 square kilometers.
The City has continuous succession, can sue and be sued, have a corporate seal, acquire and convey property, enter into contracts, and exercise other powers granted to corporations subject to laws and the charter's limitations.
Officials include the city mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, city treasurer and assistant, city assessor and assistant, city accountant, budget officer, planning and development coordinator, city engineer, health officer, civil registrar, administrator, legal officer, veterinarian, social welfare officer, general services officer, agriculturist, and appointed officers such as city architect and others as the mayor may deem necessary.
The mayor must be at least 21 years old, a qualified voter in the city, and a resident for at least one year prior to the election.
Both serve a three-year term. The city mayor receives a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to salary grade 30, while the vice mayor receives salary grade 26.
The mayor serves as chief executive, sets city policies, directs development plans with the council, proposes legislation, appoints officials, represents the city in contracts, enforces laws and ordinances, manages city funds, issues licenses and permits, solemnizes marriages, and submits reports to higher officials among other specific powers stated in the Charter.
It is the legislative body responsible for approving ordinances, resolutions, budgets, imposing taxes, maintaining peace and order, regulating land use, granting franchises, and ensuring efficient delivery of basic services and facilities aligned with the city's development.
Ordinances must be presented to the city mayor for approval. The mayor has 10 days to approve or veto. A vetoed ordinance may be reconsidered and overridden by a two-thirds vote of all sangguniang panlungsod members to become effective.
If the city mayor's office is vacant, the city vice mayor assumes the position. If the vice mayor's office is vacant, the highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod member fills the position. Further successions among sangguniang panlungsod members occur based on their ranking determined by votes obtained.
Persons convicted for crimes involving moral turpitude or punishable by one year or more imprisonment within two years after serving sentence, removed from office, convicted of violating the oath of allegiance, dual citizens, fugitives from justice, permanent residents abroad, and the insane or feeble-minded are disqualified.
The city treasurer must be a Philippine citizen, resident of Victorias, college graduate preferably in commerce, law, or public administration, with at least five years experience in treasury or accounting. Duties include managing city funds, tax collection, disbursement, and advisory functions to the mayor and sangguniang panlungsod.
The sangguniang panlalawigan shall declare the ordinance invalid in whole or in part if beyond the sangguniang panlungsod's powers. Officials or employees attempting to enforce such disapproved ordinance can face suspension or dismissal.
Barangay ordinances must be submitted within 10 days to the sangguniang panlungsod for review. If the council fails to act within 30 days, ordinances are deemed approved. If inconsistent with laws or city ordinances, the ordinance is returned for amendment and its effectivity is suspended until revision.
All municipal ordinances existing at the time of the Act's approval continue in effect until the sangguniang panlungsod passes ordinances to provide otherwise.