Corporate Character
- City is a political corporation with perpetual succession.
- Has powers typical of municipal corporations, broadly construed to empower efficient city governance.
Seal and General Powers
- City has a common seal subject to change by the city.
- Authorized to own, lease, convey property, sue and be sued, and exercise all powers granted.
Liability Limitation
- City and its officials not liable for damages from failure or negligence in enforcing laws, but personal actions against officials/employees still possible.
Police Jurisdiction
- Extends over city territory and 3 miles offshore.
- Jurisdiction includes drainage areas of water supply, extending police authority and concurrent court jurisdiction.
Income from Public Lands
- All revenues from sale/administration of public domain lands within city accrue to the city.
Mayor and Vice-Mayor
- Chief executive elected at-large, eligibility criteria stated.
- Vice-Mayor acts as mayor under specific circumstances; succession rules detailed.
- Mayor's powers include enforcement of laws, safeguarding city property, revenue collection, judicial prosecution, personnel supervision, budget submission, and emergency powers.
- Mayor appoints a Secretary with specific administrative responsibilities.
City Council
- Legislative body consisting of Vice-Mayor (president) and twelve councilors.
- Qualifications, election, suspension/removal rules provided.
- Council secretary duties include record-keeping, ordinance publication.
- Legislative procedure includes sessions, quorum, voting rules including mayoral veto powers.
- Extensive legislative powers covering taxation, city services regulation, public health, safety, commerce, utilities, property, and others.
Departments and Officers
- Specified departments under mayoral control: Finance, Engineering/Public Works, Law, Prosecution, Health, Police, Fire, Assessment.
- Duties and appointment rules of department heads, officers, and employees outlined.
- Prohibition on conflicting financial interests for city officials.
City Treasurer
- Chief fiscal officer responsible for tax collection, fund custody, expenditures per appropriation.
City Engineer
- Oversees public works, infrastructure, property maintenance, construction supervision, public utilities.
Law Department
- City Attorney represents city in legal matters, gives legal opinions, drafts documents.
Prosecution Department
- City Fiscal prosecutes crimes and ordinance violations, conducts investigations.
Health Department
- City Health Officer supervises sanitation, enforces health laws, manages civil registrations.
Police Department
- Chief of Police manages police force, enforces laws, arrests violators.
- Deputy Chief and Secret Service Chief assist; peace officers have defined police powers.
- Suspension rules for police accused of crimes.
Fire Department
- Chief of Fire Department manages fire force, enforces fire safety, inspects buildings.
Assessment Department
- City Assessor maintains property tax rolls, assesses real estate, manages exemptions, valuation disputes handled by Board of Tax Appeals.
Real Estate Taxation
- Taxation details including rates, exemptions, collection, penalties for delinquency.
- Procedures for seizure, sale, redemption of property for unpaid taxes.
Tax Allotments and Special Assessments
- City receives share of national revenue allocations.
- Power to levy special assessments for public improvements benefiting property owners.
- Procedures for notice, protests, hearings, appeals related to assessments.
Annual Budget
- Fiscal year budget preparation, submission, adoption, and provisions for supplemental budgets.
City Court
- Composed of three branches with appointed judges.
- Jurisdiction, procedures, records, appeals, and duties of clerks defined.
Municipal Bureaus
- Auditor, Register of Deeds, Purchasing, Schools, Motor Vehicle Registrar with respective powers and salaries.
Regulation of Amusements and Subdivisions
- City Council regulates places of amusement and sales of intoxicating liquors.
- Controls subdivision plans and street dedications.
Ownership of Public Lands
- National Government cedes ownership of public domain lands within city to city government.
Utilities
- City may own/operate utilities or purchase and resell.
- City Council regulates rates and contracts for utilities.
Continuity of Ordinances
- Existing municipal ordinances remain effective until modified or repealed by city council.
Transfer of Assets
- Municipal assets and liabilities transferred to city.
Transition Provisions
- Current municipal officials continue until term expires.
- City voters excluded from voting for provincial officials.
- City remains in Lone Congressional District of South Cotabato until changed.
- Existing barrio councils continue under Barrio Charter.
Separability and Effectivity
- Unconstitutional provisions do not invalidate whole charter.
- Charter effective upon approval.