Law Summary
Corporate and General Powers
- City recognized as a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
- Powers to sue, be sued, hold property, enter contracts, levy taxes, and execute city functions.
- City has a common seal and authority over roads, property acquisition, expropriation, and legal actions.
- Officials and city liable for damages to persons or property.
- Police jurisdiction extends to territory and water supply areas with concurrent court jurisdiction.
City Officials
- Positions include mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, specialized officers (e.g., treasurer, assessor, accountant, legal officer).
- Mayor appoints officials subject to sangguniang panlungsod approval and civil service rules.
- City fire station, jail, school division, and prosecution service established with designated heads.
City Mayor’s Role and Powers
- Chief executive elected at large, must be 21+, resident for 1 year, qualified voter.
- Term of 3 years with salary graded at SG 30.
- Responsible for policy guidelines, development plans, legislative proposals, appointments, city representation, and disaster management.
- Empowered to enforce laws, examine records, conduct inspections, authorize official travel and payments, and carry firearms with permit.
- Deputized by National Police Commission for peace and order; authority to suppress disorder.
- Manage fiscal matters including budgeting, tax collection, licenses, and contracts.
- Ensure delivery of basic services and facilities including coordination with national agencies.
Vice Mayor’s Duties
- Elected on same qualifications as mayor; salary at SG 26.
- Presides over legislative council and signs warrants.
- Appoints sangguniang panlungsod officials, assumes mayor’s office upon vacancy.
- Performs mayoral duties during temporary vacancy.
Legislative Body (Sangguniang Panlungsod)
- Composed of vice mayor (presiding officer), 10 regular members, presidents of barangay and youth federations, and sectoral representatives.
- Portfolios cover legislation: ordinances, resolutions, tax imposition, peace and order, environment, land use, franchises, and public welfare.
- Authority to regulate public morals, environment, traffic, sanitation, and city services.
- Enacts ordinances imposing fines or imprisonment for violations, establishes community welfare councils.
- Manages city budget, taxes, loans, and grants, ensures cooperative development.
- Conducts legislative sessions with quorum, adopts internal rules, and oversees ordinance approval including mayoral veto and override mechanisms.
Ordinance and Legislative Procedures
- Ordinances submitted to mayor; may approve or veto with reasons.
- Veto can be overridden by two-thirds majority vote.
- Sangguniang Panlalawigan reviews city ordinances for legality; can declare invalid.
- City reviews barangay ordinances; disapproved ordinances suspended until amendment.
- Ordinances become effective 10 days after posting and publication.
Disqualifications and Succession for Elective Officials
- Disqualifications include criminal convictions, administrative removal, dual citizenship, fugitives, permanent foreign residents, and mental incapacity.
- Permanent vacancies filled automatically by vice mayor or highest-ranking sangguniang panlungsod members.
- Appointments for sangguniang panlungsod vacancies made by provincial governor from political party nominees.
- Temporary mayoral vacancies managed by vice mayor assuming duties.
Appointive Officials: Qualifications, Powers, and Duties
- Secretary to sangguniang panlungsod: career official, master’s degree preferred, civil service eligible, manages legislative records and processes.
- City Treasurer and Assistant: appointed by Secretary of Finance, manage treasury functions, tax collection, report to mayor and sangguniang.
- City Assessor and Assistant: professional experience in property assessment, manage tax mapping and valuations.
- City Accountant: CPA, manage audit, financial reporting, budget certifications.
- City Budget Officer: expertise in budgeting, assists mayor and sangguniang in budget preparation and monitoring.
- City Planning and Development Coordinator: formulates and monitors development plans.
- City Engineer: licensed civil engineer, manages infrastructure and public works.
- City Health Officer: licensed medical practitioner, supervises health programs and enforcement.
- City Civil Registrar: manages vital statistics and civil registration.
- City Administrator: oversees city administration, personnel, and organizational development.
- City Legal Officer: member of Bar, legal counsel, prosecutes cases, drafts ordinances and contracts.
- City Social Welfare and Development Officer: licensed social worker, manages social welfare programs.
- City Veterinarian: licensed vet, regulates animal health and welfare.
- City General Services Officer: oversees city properties, general services, sanitation.
- City Environment and Natural Resources Officer: manages environment programs and natural resources protection.
- City Architect: licensed architect, plans architectural designs and land use.
- City Information Officer: manages public information and community liaison.
- City Cooperatives Officer: promotes cooperative development and technical assistance.
- City Population Officer: handles population programs and responsible parenthood initiatives.
- City Agriculturist: manages agricultural services and farmer/fisherfolk assistance.
City Fire Station, Jail, School Division, and Prosecution Service
- Fire station with qualified personnel headed by city fire marshal responsible for fire prevention and protection.
- City jail provides secure custodial facilities, headed by qualified warden focused on rehabilitation and human rights.
- City school division established and headed by a superintendent under DepEd jurisdiction.
- City prosecution service headed by city prosecutor manages criminal prosecutions; integrated with Department of Justice.
Transitory and Final Provisions
- Existing municipal ordinances remain effective until replaced.
- Conversion subject to ratification by majority vote via plebiscite.
- Current officials and employees of municipality continue until successors qualify.
- City succeeds to all assets, liabilities, and obligations of municipality.
- City remains under Basilan province jurisdiction.
- No increase in local tax rates for five years post-cityhood.
- Part of Basilan’s lone congressional district until otherwise legislated.
- Governed by Local Government Code and applicable laws unless inconsistent.
- Separability clause protects validity of law if part declared unconstitutional.
- Repeals inconsistent laws upon effectivity.
- Immediate effect upon publication.
This comprehensive explanation covers principal provisions, city governance structure, official roles, legislative processes, legal jurisdiction, and transition mechanics for the City of Isabela in accordance with the Act.