Corporate Powers and General Authority
- City is a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
- Powers include suing and being sued, using corporate seal, entering contracts, acquiring and conveying property.
- Can levy taxes, open or close public roads and parks, expropriate property for public use.
- City officials and the city are liable for damages for injury or death.
Jurisdiction
- Police jurisdiction coincides with territorial jurisdiction.
- Police jurisdiction extends to water supply drainage areas and within 100 meters of waterways connected to city water service.
- City courts have concurrent jurisdiction over crimes within these areas.
City Officials and Appointment
- Key officials include mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, city treasurer, assessor, accountant, budget officer, planning and development coordinator, engineer, health officer, civil registrar, legal officer, social welfare officer, and others.
- Mayor can appoint additional officials like architect, information officer, and population officer.
- Mayor appoints department heads with the majority concurrence of sangguniang panlungsod within 15 days.
City Mayor
- Elected at large for 3 years, must be at least 21 years old, resident for one year, and a qualified voter.
- Responsible for executive functions such as policy formulation, development planning, appointment powers, representing the city, emergency measures, public order, and resource generation.
- Powers include issuing permits, enforcing laws, calling officials, authorizing expenditures, solemnizing marriages, and conducting a city-wide sports event.
City Vice Mayor
- Elected similarly to the mayor for 3 years.
- Presiding officer of sangguniang panlungsod.
- Appoints all sanggunian officials except those appointed by others.
- Assumes mayor's office in cases of vacancy.
Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council)
- Composed of the vice mayor as presiding officer, 10 regular members, presidents of barangay and youth federations, and sectoral representatives.
- Functions include approving ordinances and resolutions, maintaining peace and order, protecting environment, regulating land use, generating revenues, approving budgets, imposing taxes, granting franchises, and regulating business activities.
- Authority to enforce penalties related to city ordinances.
Legislative Process
- Adopts rules of procedure including committee organization and parliamentary discipline.
- Members must disclose financial and business interests that could present conflicts.
- Holds regular sessions at least once per week; special sessions may be called as necessary.
- Ordinances require mayoral approval or override by two-thirds vote.
- Ordinances reviewed by provincial board and barangay councils for legality and conformity.
Qualifications and Succession of Elective Officials
- Disqualified persons include those convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, removed from office, dual citizens, fugitives, permanent residents abroad, and insane individuals.
- Vacancies in mayor or vice mayor offices filled by vice mayor or highest ranking sanggunian member, down the line as necessary.
- Sangguniang panlungsod vacancies filled by appointees from the same political party, or by mayor for non-partisan members.
Temporary Vacancy of Mayor
- Vice mayor exercises mayoral powers except appointments if the mayor is temporarily incapacitated.
- Mayor may designate officer-in-charge during short absences.
Appointive Officials: Qualifications, Powers, and Duties
- Various key officials are appointed, including secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, city treasurer, assistant treasurer, assessor, assistant assessor, accountant, budget officer, planning and development coordinator, engineer, health officer, civil registrar, administrator, legal officer, social welfare officer, veterinarian, general services officer, environment and natural resources officer, architect, information officer, cooperatives officer, population officer, and agriculturist.
- Each official must meet citizenship, residency, moral character, educational, and experience criteria.
- Officials have specific roles, including planning, implementing policies, managing resources, enforcing laws, providing services, and advising the mayor and sangguniang panlungsod.
City Services
- City fire station headed by fire marshal provides firefighting and emergency services.
- City jail headed by warden maintains safe detainee custody, respects human rights.
- City school division established under Department of Education with a division superintendent.
- City prosecution service headed by city prosecutor handles criminal cases within city jurisdiction.
Transitory and Final Provisions
- Existing municipal ordinances remain effective until amended.
- City becomes corporate entity upon plebiscite ratification.
- Current municipal officials and employees continue to function until new officials assume office.
- City succeeds to assets, liabilities, and obligations of the Municipality of Gapan.
- City remains under province jurisdiction and eligible to vote and run for provincial positions.
- No tax rate increases allowed for five years post-conversion.
- The Local Government Code and relevant laws apply where not inconsistent.
- Invalidity of parts does not affect remainder of Act.
- Boundary disputes to be resolved without prejudice after law effectivity.
- The Act repeals conflicting laws or regulations.
- Effectivity upon publication in two newspapers.