Corporate Powers of the City
- Tayabas is a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
- Powers include suing and being sued, using a corporate seal, property ownership, contracting, and other powers within the law.
General Powers and Liabilities
- City may levy taxes, manage public property, expropriate for public use.
- Can contract, be sued, defend suits, and enforce ordinances.
- City and officials remain liable for damages or injuries.
Police Jurisdiction
- City's police jurisdiction matches territorial boundaries for police purposes.
- Police jurisdiction extends to the water supply drainage area and 100 meters surrounding water facilities.
- City courts have concurrent jurisdiction over offenses in the water supply area.
- Police authorities have concurrent jurisdiction and fees accrue to respective LGUs.
City Officials
- Elected: City Mayor, Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) members.
- Appointed officials: City Treasurer, Assessor, Accountant, Budget Officer, Planning and Development Coordinator, Engineer, Health Officer, Civil Registrar, Administrator, Legal Officer, Social Welfare Officer, Veterinarian, General Services Officer, Cooperatives Officer, Building Officer, and others.
- Officials appointed by the City Mayor with Sanggunian concurrence; appointments deemed confirmed if no action in 15 days.
City Mayor
- Chief executive, elected at-large by qualified voters.
- Qualifications: at least 21 years old, resident for one year, qualified voter.
- Term: 3 years with salary grade 30.
- Powers include policy direction, ordinance proposal, appointment, representation, emergency powers, governance oversight, budget preparation, tax collection, licensing, enforcement, and disaster response.
- May solemnize marriages and conduct city sports events.
City Vice Mayor
- Elected like the mayor, same qualifications.
- Term: 3 years with salary grade 26.
- Presides over the Sanggunian Panlungsod.
- Appoints Sanggunian officials.
- Assumes mayor’s office upon vacancy.
Legislative Body: Sanggunian Panlungsod
- Composed of Vice Mayor (presiding officer), council members, barangay and youth federation presidents, and sectoral representatives.
- Powers include legislative enactments, taxation, budget approval, zoning, public safety ordinances, business regulation, public utilities, environmental regulation, social services, and public facilities.
- Members receive compensation corresponding to salary grade 25.
Legislative Procedures
- Sanggunian adopts internal rules within 90 days of convening.
- Rules cover organization, sessions, committees, legislative process, discipline of members.
- Members must disclose financial/business interests to avoid conflicts of interest.
- Sessions held at least once a week, open to the public except for closed sessions.
- Quorum is a majority; absent members without cause may be compelled to attend.
- Ordinances presented to mayor for approval or veto; veto can be overridden by two-thirds vote.
- Ordinances reviewed by Sanggunian Panlalawigan and Sanggunian Barangay.
Succession of Elective Officials
- Mayor's vacancy succeeded by Vice Mayor.
- Vice Mayor or highest-ranking council member succeeds for vacancies.
- Ranking based on votes received.
- Other vacancies filled by appointment from same political party.
- Temporary incapacity of mayor handled by Vice Mayor or Sanggunian member with limitations on appointive powers.
Appointive Officials and Their Duties
- Secretary of Sanggunian: official records, ordinance publication, maintaining archives.
- City Treasurer and Assistant: manage municipal finances, tax collection, fund disbursement.
- City Assessor and Assistant: real property assessment, tax mapping, evaluation.
- City Accountant: financial statements, internal audits, payroll accounting.
- City Budget Officer: budget preparation, coordination, financial reports.
- City Planning and Development Officer: comprehensive city planning and policy formulation.
- City Engineer: infrastructure, public works management.
- City Health Officer: health services, sanitation enforcement, public health campaigns.
- City Civil Registrar: management of civil registry, issuance of licenses.
- City Administrator: coordinates city department functions, personnel programs.
- City Legal Officer: legal counsel, litigation, ordinance review, human rights protection.
- City Social Welfare Officer: welfare programs and services, crisis intervention.
- City Veterinarian: animal health, slaughterhouses regulation, disease control.
- City General Services Officer: property management, supply, sanitation services.
- City Environment and Natural Resources Officer: environmental conservation, pollution control.
- City Architect: architectural planning, design review.
- City Information Officer: public information dissemination and community relations.
- City Cooperatives Officer: cooperative development and support.
- City Population Officer: population development programs.
- City Agriculturist: agricultural productivity, research, enforcement.
City Fire Station and Jail Services
- Fire Station: provides fire prevention, suppression, rescue, and evacuation.
- Jail Service: maintains secure, sanitary detention facilities including for women and juveniles; respects human rights.
City Schools Division
- Established under Department of Education with jurisdiction over city school districts.
City Prosecution Service
- Headed by city prosecutor under Department of Justice.
- Handles criminal prosecutions in city courts.
Transitory and Final Provisions
- Existing municipal ordinances remain until amended or repealed.
- City existence ratified by plebiscite.
- Current municipal officials continue until newly elected officials assume office.
- City succeeds to all municipal assets and liabilities.
- Tayabas voters participate in provincial elections in Quezon.
- City remains under provincial jurisdiction unless otherwise provided by law.
- Local tax rate increases suspended for five years.
- Tayabas remains part of the First Congressional District.
- New race tracks, jai-alai frontons, casinos, cockpits not allowed for three years.
- Laws applicable to provinces and cities apply unless inconsistent with the Charter.
- City exempt from income requirements under Republic Act No. 9009.
- Charter’s invalid provisions do not affect other parts; Local Government Code applies where silent.
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication.