Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8526)
The official title is the "Charter of the City of Valenzuela."
It converted the Municipality of Valenzuela into a highly urbanized city known as the City of Valenzuela.
The City has continuous succession, can sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire/convey property, enter contracts, and exercise other powers granted to corporations under law.
The City Mayor must be at least 23 years old, a resident of the City for at least one year prior to the election, and a qualified voter of the City.
The City Vice Mayor presides over the Sangguniang Panlungsod and signs all warrants for expenditures appropriated for its operations, plus appoints its officials/employees, among other duties.
It consists of the City Vice Mayor as presiding officer, regular elected members, presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay and Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, and three sectoral representatives.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod may override the mayor's veto by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its members, making the ordinance effective without mayoral approval.
Persons sentenced for offenses involving moral turpitude within two years after serving sentence, removed from office administratively, convicted for violating the oath of allegiance, dual citizens, fugitives from justice, permanent foreign residents, and those insane or feeble-minded.
The President, through the Executive Secretary, appoints replacements from nominees by the same political party of the vacating member; if the member has no party, the City Mayor appoints upon recommendation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The City Treasurer advises city officials on financial management, takes custody of city funds, handles disbursement, inspects private establishments for tax purposes, maintains tax information systems, and performs duties under the Local Government Code.
They both serve three-year terms. The City Mayor's salary corresponds to salary grade 30, and the City Vice Mayor's salary corresponds to salary grade 28.
The City Mayor determines city policies, leads development planning, appoints officials, represents the city in transactions, enforces laws, oversees delivery of services, directs emergency measures, manages city finances, and supervises local police forces, among others.
It must review barangay ordinances to ensure consistency with laws and city ordinances within 30 days. Failure to act deems the ordinance approved; disapproved ordinances are returned for amendment with effectivity suspended until revision.
Regular sessions are at least once weekly, with special sessions called as needed. A majority of elected members constitutes a quorum. Members absent without cause can be compelled to attend, and no business is transacted without quorum.
Qualifications vary per position but generally include Philippine citizenship, residency in Valenzuela, good moral character, relevant college degrees, first grade civil service eligibility, and experience as prescribed in the Charter.