QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 409)
The City of Manila is a political body corporate with perpetual succession and powers of a municipal corporation, exercisable in conformity with the charter.
The city may have a common seal; alter it; take, purchase, receive, hold, lease, convey, and dispose of property; condemn private property for public use; contract; sue and be sued; and prosecute/defend actions and exercise powers conferred by the charter.
When damages result from failure of the Mayor, Municipal Board, or other city officers to enforce the charter or other laws/ordinances, or from negligence of such officers while enforcing or attempting to enforce them.
It provides a detailed metes-and-bounds description starting from specified points near Manila Bay, traversing monuments, waterways (e.g., Pasig and San Juan rivers), and municipal areas, ending at the point of beginning.
For all administrative and other municipal purposes, including description of property, with names and defined boundaries.
Four representative districts, each represented by one member in the House of Representatives.
Three miles from the shore into Manila Bay; and for water-supply protection, it also extends over territory within the drainage area of the water supply or within one hundred meters of any reservoir, conduit, canal, aqueduct, or pumping station used for city water service.
The court first taking jurisdiction retains exclusive jurisdiction thereafter.
Elected at large by qualified city electors; at least 30 years old; a city resident at least 5 years prior; and a qualified voter.
Four-year term unless sooner removed; salary of 12,000 pesos per year (with possible provision for quarters by the Municipal Board subject to approval).
The Vice-Mayor acts in such cases; if the Vice-Mayor is temporarily incapacitated or the office is vacant, the duties are performed by the city engineer. The acting mayor has the same powers and duties.
Examples include enforcing laws/ordinances; safeguarding city property and records; ensuring collection and proper use of taxes/revenues; instituting or defending judicial proceedings for city interests; inspecting city records; submitting the annual budget by April 15; representing the city in business matters and signing bonds/contracts; hearing petitions and claims; granting/revoking licenses; taking emergency measures; and appointing officers/employees (with Board consent and subject to Civil Service Law and presidentially vested appointments).
A proposed ordinance must be published in two daily newspapers and cannot be discussed or enacted until after the third day following publication. After passage, it is forwarded to the Mayor for approval/veto within ten days. If vetoed, it may be overridden by two-thirds vote of the Board and possibly finally approved by the President if vetoed again. Approved ordinances are published within ten days after approval and take effect on the 20th day following publication if no date is fixed.
It is the city’s legislative body, consisting of three elective members from each representative district, holding office for four years.
The previous year’s appropriation ordinance is deemed reenacted and takes effect on July 1 of the new year until a new appropriation ordinance is duly enacted.
Penalties not exceeding 200 pesos fine or six months’ imprisonment, or both, for a single offense.
It is unlawful for city officers to engage in transactions with the city that require city resources to be paid to them or their firms; to purchase city property sold for taxes/assessments or by legal process; or to be surety for persons contracting with the city; or to be surety on an officer’s official bond.