Corporate Powers of the City
- City as a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
- Powers include:
- Sue and be sued.
- Use a corporate seal.
- Acquire, hold, and convey property.
- Enter into contracts and agreements.
- Exercise powers subject to this Charter and laws.
General Powers of the City
- Have a common seal.
- Power to levy taxes, open/close roads, hold and dispose of property.
- Appropriate or condemn private property for public use.
- Contracting and litigation powers.
Liability for Damages
- City and officials are liable for death, injury, or property damage.
Jurisdiction of the City
- Police jurisdiction coextensive with territorial jurisdiction.
- Extended jurisdiction over water supply drainage areas and related facilities.
- Courts have concurrent jurisdiction over crimes within these areas.
- Fees accrue to the city or municipality issuing licenses.
City Officials
- Designation of elected and appointed officials including Mayor, Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod members, and department heads.
- Mayor appoints majority of heads with Sanggunian confirmation.
Powers and Duties of the City Mayor
- Chief executive elected at large with qualifications (21+ years, 1-year residency).
- Powers include:
- Implement governance policies.
- Direct development plans.
- Appoint employees with Sanggunian concurrence.
- Represent city in contracts.
- Execute emergency powers.
- Ensure faithful performance of duties by officials.
- Call conventions and issue executive orders.
- Enforce laws and ordinances.
- Oversee police powers and public safety.
- Manage revenue generation and budget preparation.
- Issue and regulate licenses and permits.
- Oversee delivery of basic services and public facilities.
Powers and Duties of the City Vice Mayor
- Acts as Sanggunian presiding officer.
- Appoints officials and employees under specific conditions.
- Succeeds Mayor upon vacancy.
- Exercises mayoral powers during temporary absence.
Structure and Powers of the Sangguniang Panlungsod
- Comprises elected members, sectoral reps, and ex officio members.
- Legislative functions include:
- Enacting ordinances and resolutions.
- Reviewing barangay ordinances.
- Protecting peace and order.
- Granting tax exemptions and levying taxes.
- Allocating budgets and regulating land use.
- Granting franchises and licenses.
- Ensuring delivery of basic services.
- Promoting development and social welfare.
Legislative Process and Rules
- Sanggunian to adopt internal rules within 90 days post-election.
- Members to make full financial disclosures to prevent conflicts of interest.
- Sessions held at least weekly, open to the public with exceptions.
- Quorum defined as majority of elected members.
- Mayor’s veto power outlined with override mechanism by two-thirds vote.
- Procedures for review of ordinances by provincial and barangay bodies established.
Disqualifications and Succession of Elective City Officials
- Disqualifications include criminal convictions, removal from office, allegiance violations, dual citizenship, residency abroad, insanity.
- Permanent and temporary vacancies have clear succession rules for Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Sanggunian members.
- Ties decided by lot; succession serves only unexpired term.
Appointive City Officials: Qualifications, Powers and Duties
- Officials include Secretary to Sanggunian, Treasurer (and assistant), Assessor (and assistant), Accountant, Budget Officer, Planning Coordinator, Engineer, Health Officer, Civil Registrar, Administrator, Legal Officer, Social Welfare Officer, Veterinarian, General Services Officer, Environment Officer, Architect, Information Officer, Cooperatives Officer, Population Officer, Agriculturist.
- Each has specific qualifications (e.g., residency, civil service eligibility, professional licensure, experience).
- Assigned duties cover planning, administration, financial management, legal representation, public health, infrastructure, social services, environment, and development.
- Many tasked to lead programs, advise the Mayor and Sanggunian, and coordinate with national agencies.
City Fire, Jail, School Division, and Prosecution Services
- Fire Station headed by City Fire Marshal; standards per national law.
- City Jail maintained for custody, headed by a qualified warden.
- School Division established and overseen by Division Superintendent.
- Prosecution service headed by City Prosecutor under Department of Justice supervision.
Transitory and Final Provisions
- Existing municipal ordinances remain effective until replaced.
- City corporate existence dependent on plebiscite ratification.
- Existing officials continue until new elections and qualifications.
- City succeeds to municipal assets, liabilities, obligations.
- City voters may vote in provincial elections.
- City remains under South Cotabato jurisdiction unless otherwise provided.
- No increase in local tax rates for five years post-incorporation.
- City remains part of Second Congressional District.
- Applicable laws include Local Government Code unless inconsistent.
- Separability, boundary dispute resolution, repeal of inconsistent laws, and effectivity provisions included.
- Act effective upon publication in two newspapers.
This detailed analysis covers the key legal provisions governing the conversion of Koronadal into a component city, including governance structure, powers, duties, officials qualifications, legislative processes, jurisdiction, and transitional arrangements.