Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8755)
The official title is the "Charter of Tuguegarao City," enacted as Republic Act No. 8755 on November 4, 1999.
Tuguegarao City has jurisdiction within the present metes and bounds of the former Municipality of Tuguegarao, Cagayan Province, as described in the detailed boundary survey executed from August to October 1998.
The City has perpetual succession, can sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire and convey property, enter contracts, and exercise other powers as provided by this Act or laws.
No, the City and its officials are not exempt from liability for death or injury to persons or damage to property.
The executive leadership consists of the City Mayor as chief executive and the City Vice Mayor, both elected by the qualified voters of the City.
A City Mayor must be at least 21 years old, an actual resident of the city for at least one year prior to election, and a qualified voter of Tuguegarao City at the time of election.
The Mayor exercises executive powers such as enforcing laws, appointing city officials, preparing budgets, proposing legislative measures, managing city funds, representing the city in transactions, and managing emergency measures, among others.
The City Vice Mayor presides over the Sangguniang Panlungsod, which comprises twelve regular members, presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay and Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, and three sectoral representatives including women, workers, and other sectors.
The Mayor must communicate the veto with reasons within 10 days. The Sangguniang Panlungsod may reconsider and override the veto by a two-thirds vote of all members, making the ordinance effective.
A permanent vacancy is filled by the City Vice Mayor becoming City Mayor. If the Vice Mayor's position becomes vacant, the highest-ranking Sangguniang Panlungsod member assumes the position, with succession continuing by ranking.
Disqualifications include prior convictions involving moral turpitude or imprisonment of one year or more, removal from office by administrative case, violation of oath of allegiance, dual citizenship, fugitive status, permanent residency abroad, and being insane or feeble-minded.
The Secretary attends meetings, keeps journals, keeps the City seal, forwards ordinances for approval, publishes ordinances, maintains local archives, and performs other duties as prescribed by law.
The City Treasurer is appointed by the Secretary of Finance from a list of at least three nominees recommended by the City Mayor. The Treasurer must be a resident of Tuguegarao City, a college graduate preferably in commerce or law, have good moral character, a first grade civil service eligibility, and five years experience in treasury or accounting.
The Coordinator formulates development plans and policies, conducts studies and training, integrates sectoral plans, monitors implementation, promotes public participation, supervises the local development council secretariat, and advises the City Mayor and Sangguniang Panlungsod.
They may enact ordinances that prevent and suppress lawlessness, regulate public health, environment protection, public order, prohibit gambling, regulate businesses such as cockpits and tricycles, declare nuisances, and impose penalties for violations.