Title
Elective city officials and salary regulation
Law
Republic Act No. 2259
Decision Date
Jun 19, 1959
Republic Act No. 2259 establishes the elective nature of the offices of Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and members of the city council in chartered cities in the Philippines, regulates the election process, creates the position of Vice-Mayor in cities without one, and fixes the salaries and tenure of these offices.
A

Election Procedures and Terms

  • Mayors, Vice-Mayors, and Councilors are elected at large by qualified city voters on the same date as elections for provincial and municipal officials, following the Revised Election Code.
  • Exception applies to Iloilo and Dagupan cities where voters do not vote for provincial officials.
  • Officials assume office on January 1 following elections.
  • Term of office is four years and continues until successors are duly elected and qualified, unless removed or suspended for cause.

Creation and Role of Vice-Mayor

  • Vice-Mayor position created in chartered cities without one by their charters.
  • Vice-Mayor is the presiding officer of the City Council or Municipal Board.
  • Vice-Mayor performs mayoral duties in case of the mayor's inability.
  • Permanent vacancy in mayor’s office leads to Vice-Mayor becoming mayor for unexpired term.
  • Temporary incapacity of Vice-Mayor or Mayor leads to highest-vote Councilor acting as Vice-Mayor or Mayor.
  • Acting officials receive corresponding compensation equal to the office assumed during acting period.

Removal of Ex-Officio Members and Corresponding Council Seats

  • City Treasurer, City Engineer, and other heads serving as ex-officio council members cease such role upon successors' election and qualification.
  • Equivalent number of elective councilor positions created to maintain council size.
  • Exception for Baguio City, which shall have six Councilors.

Transition of Incumbent Appointive Officials

  • Current appointive Mayors, Vice-Mayors, and Councilors continue until successors are elected and qualified.
  • Appointive city secretaries remain until elective city council or board is constituted; thereafter, city secretary elected by city council majority vote.
  • Other appointed city officials removable only for cause.

Qualifications for City Officials

  • Candidates must be at least 25 years old.
  • Must have at least one year residency in the city before election.
  • Must be qualified voters of the city.

Salaries and Classification of Cities

  • Salaries set according to city classification under RA 840, with exceptions for Quezon and Baguio as per their charters.
  • Salary ranges set for Mayors, Vice-Mayors, and Councilors by city class, with specified minimums and maximums:
    • Class 1 (Highest): Mayor ₱7,200–₱8,400, Vice-Mayor ₱5,400–₱6,800, Councilors up to ₱5,400
    • Class 2: Mayor ₱6,000–₱7,200, Vice-Mayor ₱4,800–₱5,400, Councilors up to ₱4,800
    • Class 3: Mayor ₱4,800–₱6,000, Vice-Mayor ₱3,000–₱4,800, Councilors up to ₱3,000
    • Class 4: Mayor ₱3,600–₱4,800, Vice-Mayor ₱3,000–₱3,400, Councilors up to ₱2,400
    • Class 5 (Lowest): Mayor ₱2,800–₱3,600, Vice-Mayor ₱2,400–₱2,800, Councilors up to ₱1,800
  • Inability of city revenues to sustain salaries results in proportional reduction to lower class city rates but not below minimum wage law.

Exemptions

  • The law excludes the cities of Manila, Cavite, Trece Martires, and Tagaytay from its application.

Repeal of Inconsistent Laws

  • All inconsistent Acts, Executive Orders, rules, and regulations are repealed upon this Act's effectivity.

Effectivity

  • The Act takes effect immediately upon approval.

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