Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 502)
Commonwealth Act No. 502 is the Charter of Quezon City, which establishes Quezon City as a municipality with specific powers, boundaries, government structure, and functions.
The President of the Philippines appoints the mayor, vice-mayor, city secretary, members of the City Council, city health officer, city engineer, chief of police, city treasurer, city assessor, city attorney, and assistant city attorney, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
The mayor ensures laws and ordinances are enforced, oversees other city officers, presides over City Council meetings, signs ordinances and resolutions, inspects city records, manages city contracts and bonds, appoints city employees, institutes legal proceedings for the city, and submits annual reports and inventories.
The City Council is composed of the mayor, vice-mayor, and three other members. It meets weekly and special meetings can be called by the mayor. Meetings are public unless voted otherwise, a majority constitutes a quorum, and ordinances must be posted publicly before taking effect.
The Council can appropriate funds, levy taxes, issue licenses for various businesses, regulate public safety and health, enact ordinances for city governance, maintain public utilities and services, suppress nuisances and immoral acts, and fix penalties, among other powers.
No city officer or employee may have direct or indirect interest in any city contract, work, licensed business, purchase of city property, or any business where city funds are involved to prevent conflicts of interest.
Real estate taxes are levied annually with rates up to two percent. Delinquent taxpayers incur graduated penalties, personal property may be seized and sold if taxes remain unpaid, and real estate may be advertised and sold at public auction. Tax sales create liens and buyers receive indefeasible titles.
The Board of Tax Appeals consists of the City Council members with the mayor as chairman. They hear appeals related to the city assessor's property valuations and may amend tax lists accordingly.
The City Health Officer supervises city health and sanitation, enforces public health laws, recommends ordinances for health preservation, prosecutes sanitary violations, conducts inspections, and performs other duties as directed by the Director of Health.
The Chief of Police oversees police organization and discipline, quells riots and disturbances, arrests offenders, supervises the city prison, executes court processes, and ensures protection of persons and property within the city.