QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 8526)
RA 8526 converts the Municipality of Valenzuela into a highly urbanized city known as the City of Valenzuela, comprising the present territory of the municipality in Metropolitan Manila (Sec. 2).
The City has perpetual succession in its corporate name and powers typical of municipal corporations, including the power to sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire and convey property, enter into contracts, and exercise other corporate powers subject to limitations in the Charter and other laws (Sec. 3).
Yes. The City and its officials are not exempt from liability for death or injury to persons or damage to property (Sec. 5).
For police purposes only, it is coextensive with its territorial jurisdiction. It also extends over all territory within the drainage area of the City’s water supply, and within 100 meters of any reservoir, conduit, canal, aqueduct, or pumping station used in connection with the City water service (Sec. 6).
The city court of Valenzuela has concurrent jurisdiction with the city or municipal courts of adjoining municipalities/cities to try such crimes and misdemeanors. The court first taking cognizance has jurisdiction to the exclusion of others (Sec. 6).
At election time: at least 23 years old; actual resident of the City for at least 1 year prior to election; and a qualified voter in the City (Sec. 8).
Each holds office for three (3) years unless sooner removed (Secs. 8 and 9).
The Vice Mayor presides over the Sangguniang Panlungsod and signs warrants drawn on the city treasury for expenditures appropriated for the operation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (Sec. 9).
Appointive city officials are appointed by the City Mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, subject to civil service laws. The Sangguniang Panlungsod must act within 15 days; otherwise, the appointment is deemed confirmed (Sec. 7).
It approves ordinances and passes resolutions for efficient city government, including measures for peace and order, environmental protection, ordinances for penalties within limits, disaster-related measures, enactment of local policies and budgets (as specified in Sec. 10 and the extensive enumeration).
It is composed of the City Vice Mayor (presiding officer), regular sanggunian members, the president of the city chapter of Liga ng mga Barangay, the president of the Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga SK, and sectoral representatives (including three: women; agricultural/industrial workers; and other sectors such as urban poor, ICCs, or persons with disabilities) (Sec. 10).
The ordinance is presented to the City Mayor. If approved, he signs each page; if vetoed, he returns with objections. The Sangguniang Panlungsod may override the veto by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its members; otherwise the ordinance fails (Sec. 15).
He must communicate the veto within 10 days; otherwise, the ordinance is deemed approved as if he had signed it (Sec. 15).
He may veto ordinances on grounds that they are ultra vires or prejudicial to public welfare, stating reasons in writing. He may item-veto specific items of appropriations or ordinances directing payment of money or adopting development plans. He may veto only once; the Sangguniang Panlungsod can override by 2/3 vote (Sec. 16).
If the Sangguniang Panlungsod fails to take action within 30 days from receipt, the barangay ordinance is deemed approved (Sec. 17).
Permanent vacancy arises when an elective official fills a higher vacant office, refuses to assume, fails to qualify, dies, is removed, resigns, or is otherwise permanently incapacitated. If the Mayor’s office becomes permanently vacant, the Vice Mayor becomes Mayor; if the Vice Mayor’s office becomes vacant, the highest-ranking sanggunian member becomes Vice Mayor/Mayor, and ranking is based on proportion of votes to total registered voters in the immediately preceding election (Secs. 21-22; Sec. 21 defines permanent vacancy and ranking).