Charter of the City of Puerto Princesa

City has a common seal and may hold, lease, convey property; sue and be sued.
Powers enumerated in the charter are not exhaustive but are to be liberally construed.

City not liable for damages due to failures or negligence of its officials in enforcing laws.
Police jurisdiction extends three miles from shores and over water supply drainage zones.
City Court has concurrent jurisdiction with municipal courts in water supply areas.

Mayor is chief executive, elected for 4-year terms with set minimum salary and allowances.
Vice-Mayor acts in absence or vacancy of Mayor, is presiding officer of City Council, votes only in ties.
Qualifications for both include residency, age, and voter status.

Ensure enforcement of laws and charter provisions.
Safeguard city's lands, records, funds.
Initiate judicial proceedings on behalf of the City.
Collect taxes, supervise city employees, inspect city records.
Submit annual budget to City Council; may grant/refuse licenses including revocation powers.
Appoint city officers and may suspend or remove them within limits and with council concurrence.
May exercise emergency powers and request national police aid.

Composed of Vice-Mayor and eight elected councilors serving 4-year terms.
Council sessions are weekly; quorum and voting procedures specified.
Ordinances pass by majority vote; Mayor's veto power with override provisions exists.

Levy taxes, fix salaries, appropriate funds.
Establish schools, police, fire departments.
Regulate business licenses, public health, sanitation, public safety, nuisances.
Exercise eminent domain with approval.
Manage city public properties and public utilities.

Eight specified departments including Finance, Law, Health, Police, Fire, etc., headed by appointed officials.
Department heads manage operations under Mayor's direction.
Certain key officials appointed by the President with protections against suspension/removal.

Officers prohibited from engaging in contracts or transactions with the City that create financial interests or conflicts.

City Treasurer collects taxes, rents, fees; manages city funds and accounts.
City Assessor assesses real estate, prepares tax rolls; exemptions and assessment procedures detailed.
Tax collection procedures include penalties, liens, seizure and sale of property for delinquent taxes.
Taxpayers have rights to redemption before sale and after sale with detailed terms.

Five members appointed; hear appeals on assessments.
Authority to revise assessments with finality subject to Department Head review.

City Council may levy special assessments on lands benefiting from public works.
Procedures for ordinance adoption, publication, protest, hearings, and appeals prescribed.
Payments treated like ordinary taxes with penalties for delinquency.

City Engineer oversees surveying, public works construction, maintenance.
Authority to approve plans, supervise public assets, regulate private construction and utilities.
Contracts for public works over a threshold require lowest bidder process;
Administration of smaller projects discretionary.

City Attorney represents city in civil cases, advises officials, and investigates misconduct.
City Fiscal prosecutes violations of law and city ordinances, investigates crimes, conducts autopsies when needed.

City Health Officer oversees public health, sanitation, enforces laws, manages civil registration.

Chief of Police required to have military or corresponding eligibility.
Powers include enforcing laws, arresting offenders, supervising police force and detention facilities.
Peace officers authorized to execute processes and maintain order; Police jurisdiction exclusive except under emergency.

Chief of Fire Department manages fire services, equipment, fire-related regulations.
Responsible for investigation of fires and approval of building plans for fire safety.

City Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, concurrent with Court of First Instance as applicable.
Includes powers to issue legal processes, hold hearings, and impose penalties within prescribed limits.
Appeals process to Court of First Instance defined.

Outgoing municipal officials continue until terms expire.
Incumbents in key positions continue as city officials.
City voters retain voting rights for provincial officials.
City included in the lone congressional district of Palawan until law provides otherwise.
Existing municipal ordinances remain effective as city ordinances.
Compliance with Local Autonomy Act and Decentralization Act when enhancing city autonomy.
Barrios within the city governed by Revised Barrio Charter.
Severability clause and conditions for the Act's effectiveness prescribed.