Law Summary
Corporate and General Powers
- City is a political corporate entity with continuous succession.
- Powers include suing and being sued, property acquisition, contract execution, exercising municipal corporate powers.
- May levy taxes, manage public properties, regulate roads and public spaces, and enforce laws.
Liability and Jurisdiction
- City liable for damages due to failure or negligence in enforcing laws.
- Police jurisdiction covers city territory plus drainage areas for water supply.
- City court shares jurisdiction over offenses in drainage areas.
Basic Services and Facilities
- Provides basic services per Local Government Code.
- Includes agricultural, forestry, health, social welfare, environmental, cultural, infrastructure, market, tourism, housing, tax, communication, police, and fire services.
City Officials and Appointments
- Key officials: Mayor, Vice Mayor, Sanggunian, and various department heads.
- Mayor appoints additional officers, subject to council approval and civil service laws.
- Can create or consolidate offices for efficiency.
City Mayor's Powers and Duties
- Chief executive elected at large, age 21+, 3-year term.
- Implements city policies, development plans, legislative initiatives.
- Manages appointments, represents the City, enforces laws, controls city police.
- Handles emergencies, budget preparation, licensing, property management.
- Can issue executive orders and solemnize marriages.
City Vice Mayor's Powers and Duties
- Elected with qualifications similar to mayor.
- Presides over Sanggunian, appoints Sanggunian officials.
- Assumes mayor's office if vacant.
- Performs additional duties as law provides.
Sangguniang Panlungsod Composition and Functions
- Legislative body with Vice Mayor as presiding officer.
- Members elected by district, includes barangay and youth federation presidents and sectoral reps.
- Enacts ordinances, approves budgets, regulates public welfare and development.
- Reviews barangay ordinances for conformity.
- Regulates use of land, public utilities, entertainment, environmental protection, taxation, and more.
Legislative Process and Meetings
- Sanggunian adopts rules of procedure including discipline and committees.
- Members disclose financial interests to avoid conflicts.
- Holds regular and special sessions; quorum and attendance rules specified.
- Ordinances subject to mayoral approval or veto; veto override requires two-thirds vote.
Disqualifications and Succession of Elective Officials
- Disqualifies convicted persons, those removed from office, dual citizens, fugitives, insane persons, among others.
- Succession rules for permanent or temporary vacancies in mayor, vice mayor, and council members.
Appointive City Officials: Qualifications and Duties
- Secretary to the Sanggunian, City Treasurer, Assessors, Accountant, Budget Officer, Planning Coordinator, Engineer, Health Officer, Civil Registrar, Administrator, Legal Officer, Social Welfare Officer, Environment Officer, Architect, Information Officer, Veterinarian, General Services Officer, Cooperatives Officer, Population Officer, Agriculturist, Youth and Sports Officer, Public Safety Officer.
- Each must meet qualifications including residency, education, experience, and civil service eligibility.
- Duties include administration, planning, technical assistance, legal counsel, health services, social welfare, environmental protection, infrastructure, finance, and public safety.
City Fire Station and Jail Services
- Establishment of fire station with a fire marshal responsible for fire protection and emergency services.
- City jail to be secure and humane, headed by a qualified warden responsible for inmate welfare and rehabilitation.
Transitory Provisions
- Suspension of local tax rate increases for 5 years.
- Continuation of municipal ordinances until changed by the city council.
- Plebiscite required to ratify cityhood.
- Existing municipal officials retain functions until successors elected and qualified.
- City succeeds municipal assets, liabilities, and obligations.
- Residents qualify to vote in Rizal provincial elections.
- City will have its legislative district.
- Applicable national and local laws govern the city unless inconsistent.
Legal Provisions
- Separability clause ensures validity of remaining provisions if any is invalidated.
- Repealing clause invalidates inconsistent laws, decrees or rules.
- Act effective upon approval.