Revised Charter of the City of Baguio

Declaration of objectives and core values

The City’s objectives include making Baguio a home of dynamic and diverse cultures, inclusive citizenship, and urban synergy.
The City is directed to function as a center of education, trade and tourism consistent with laws of nature and environment.
The law requires Baguio to be managed by God-fearing leaders in partnership with responsible citizenry.
The law mandates an integrated life cycle approach to environmental protection and management consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), including urban resilience.
The law directs preservation and restoration of the City’s historical and heritage value and promotion of eco-cultural tourism and tourism-related microenterprises.
The law requires public officials and employees to be guided by core values of service, integrity, competence, transparency, accountability, and resourcefulness.
The law directs the City to be a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and livable city, including use of innovative and digital means for better urban services.

Territory, corporate status, and general powers

The City comprises the present territorial jurisdiction of the City.
Any boundary dispute involving territorial jurisdiction between Baguio and adjoining LGUs is decided by the appropriate agency or forum, but the disputed area remains under the LGU with existing administrative supervision until final resolution.
The City has perpetual succession in its corporate name.
The City can sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, and acquire, hold and convey property.
The City may enter contracts and agreements and exercise corporate powers in conformity with Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991, as amended) and other applicable laws.
The City may alter its corporate seal at pleasure, but any change must be registered with the DILG.

City officials and organization

City officials include the City Mayor, City Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod members, and specified department heads/offices including Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, City Treasurer, City Assessor, City Engineer, and others expressly enumerated.
The City Mayor may appoint a city agriculturist, a city population officer, a city cooperatives officer, a city solid and liquid waste management officer, and a city traffic and transportation management officer.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod must:
- Maintain existing offices not mentioned in the other subsections;
- Create other offices as necessary to carry out City purposes; or
- Consolidate functions of offices for efficiency and economy.
Department and office heads are appointed by the City Mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all Sangguniang Panlungsod members, subject to civil service law.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod must act on appointments within fifteen (15) days; otherwise the appointment is deemed confirmed.
Compensation rules apply: elective and appointive officials receive compensation determined by law or ordinance, subject to the budgetary limitations on personal services under Title Five, Book II of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended.
No increase in compensation of the City Mayor, City Vice Mayor, and Sangguniang Panlungsod members takes effect until after the expiration of the full term of the local officials approving the increase.

City Mayor and Vice Mayor roles

The City Mayor, as chief executive, exercises powers and performs duties under Section 455 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and other laws and ordinances.
The City Mayor must receive a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade Thirty (30) under Republic Act No. 6758 (Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989), as amended, including implementing guidelines.
The City Vice Mayor presides over the Sangguniang Panlungsod and performs duties under Section 456 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended.
The City Vice Mayor must receive a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade Twenty-eight (28) under Republic Act No. 6758, as amended, including implementing guidelines.

Sangguniang Panlungsod structure and legislative process

The Sangguniang Panlungsod comprises:
- The City Vice Mayor as presiding officer;
- Twelve (12) elected regular members;
- The president of the city chapter of Liga ng mga Barangay;
- The president of Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan; and
- The sectoral representative for indigenous people of Baguio City.
Regular members and the indigenous sectoral representative are elected in the manner provided by law.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod exercises powers and performs duties under Section 458 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and enacts ordinances and appropriates funds consistent with Section 16 of the same Code and this Charter.
The members’ minimum monthly compensation corresponds to Salary Grade Twenty-seven (27) under Republic Act No. 6758, as amended, including implementing guidelines.

Internal rules, disclosures, sessions, and quorum

Within ninety (90) days from the first regular session after election, the Sangguniang Panlungsod must adopt or update its rules of procedure.
The rules of procedure must cover organization, election of officers, standing committees including appropriations and finance-related committees and many other listed committees, including specified committee jurisdictions and election of committee chairs and members.
The rules of procedure must include the order and calendar of business, legislative process, and parliamentary procedures, including members’ conduct during sessions.
The rules must provide discipline for disorderly behavior and absences without justifiable cause for four (4) consecutive sessions, leading to censure, reprimand, exclusion, suspension for not more than sixty (60) days, or expulsion.
Suspension or expulsion requires at least a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all Sanggunian members.
A member convicted by final judgment to imprisonment of at least one (1) year for a crime involving moral turpitude is automatically expelled.
Each Sangguniang Panlungsod member must make full written disclosure of business and financial interests upon assumption to office.
Disclosure must include professional relationships and relationships by affinity or consanguinity within the fourth civil degree with persons, firms, or entities affected by ordinances or resolutions under consideration that may create conflict of interest.
“Conflict of interest” applies, in absence of applicable constitutional or statutory provision, to situations where it may be reasonably deduced that a member may not act in the public interest due to private, pecuniary, or other personal considerations affecting judgment to the prejudice of service or public.
Disclosure must be submitted to the Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or the secretary of the concerned committee, must form part of the record, and must be made:
- Before the member participates in deliberations, or before voting on second and third readings if the member did not participate; and
- When a member takes a position or makes a privilege speech on matters affecting the disclosed business/financial/professional interests.
The Sanggunian fixes its sessions by resolution on the first day of the session immediately following election.
Regular sessions must be at least once a week for the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Special sessions may be called by the City Mayor or by a majority of Sangguniang members when public interest demands.
Sanggunian sessions are open to the public unless a closed-door session is ordered by an affirmative vote of a majority of members present, with quorum, for reasons of public interest or security, decency or morality.
No two sessions (regular or special) may be held in a single day.
Special sessions require written notice personally served at members’ usual residences at least twenty-four (24) hours before the special session.
Unless a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present approves otherwise with quorum, special sessions consider only matters stated in the notice.
The Sanggunian must keep a journal and record of proceedings, which may be published by resolution of a majority of its members.
Quorum is a majority of all elected and qualified members.
If quorum is questioned, the presiding officer calls the roll and announces results immediately.
If no quorum, the presiding officer may recess, or members may adjourn and may compel attendance of absent members without justifiable cause using the police force assigned in the City’s territorial jurisdiction.
If still no quorum after those steps, no business is transacted and the session is adjourned for lack of quorum by proper motion approved by members present.

Ordinance approval and mayor veto

Every ordinance enacted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod is presented to the City Mayor.
If the City Mayor approves, the City Mayor’s signature is affixed on each and every page of the ordinance.
If not approved, the ordinance is vetoed and returned with written objections to the Sanggunian, which may reconsider.
The Sanggunian may override the City Mayor’s veto by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its members, making the ordinance or resolution effective for legal intents and purposes.
The veto must be communicated to the Sanggunian within ten (10) days, otherwise the ordinance is deemed approved as if signed.
The City Mayor may veto an ordinance on grounds that it is ultra vires or prejudicial to the public welfare, with reasons stated in writing.
The City Mayor may veto specific items in:
- an appropriations ordinance;
- an ordinance or resolution adopting a local development plan and public investment program; or
- an ordinance directing payment of money or creating liability.
A item-level veto does not affect non-objected items; vetoed items take effect only if overridden by the Sanggunian using the override method.
If overridden fails, vetoed appropriations items are replaced by reenactment from the previous year corresponding appropriations items, if any.
The City Mayor may veto an ordinance or resolution only once.
The Sanggunian may override the veto by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its members, making it effective even without City Mayor approval.

Barangay ordinance review and enforcement

Within ten (10) days after barangay enactment, the Sangguniang Barangay must furnish copies of all barangay ordinances to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for review for consistency with law and City ordinances.
If the Sangguniang Panlungsod fails to act within thirty (30) days from receipt, barangay ordinances are deemed approved.
If the Sangguniang Panlungsod finds inconsistency, it must return the ordinances within thirty (30) days from receipt with comments and recommendations for adjustment, amendment, or modification.
Upon return for revision, the barangay ordinance’s effectivity is suspended until revision is effected.
Attempting to enforce a disapproved ordinance or a resolution approving the local development plan and public investment program after disapproval is sufficient ground for suspension or dismissal of the concerned official or employee.

Effectivity of ordinances and posting rules

Ordinances and resolutions take effect after ten (10) days from the date a copy is posted on a bulletin board at the entrance of the Baguio City Hall and in at least two (2) other conspicuous places in the City, not later than five (5) days after approval.
The Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod must cause the posting within five (5) days after approval and record the fact in a book stating the dates of approval and posting.
The text must be disseminated and posted in Filipino or English and in the language or dialect understood by the majority of people in the City.
Ordinances with penal sanctions must be posted in prominent places in City Hall for a minimum of three (3) consecutive weeks and must also be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the City.

Qualifications and succession of elective officials

Elective city officials must have the same qualifications and disqualifications as set out in Sections 39 and 40 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended.
If a permanent vacancy occurs in the City Mayor position, the concerned City Vice Mayor becomes City Mayor.
If a permanent vacancy occurs in the City Vice Mayor position, the highest ranking Sangguniang Panlungsod member becomes City Mayor or City Vice Mayor, or the second highest ranking member if the highest is permanently unable.
Tie among the highest ranking Sanggunian members is resolved by drawing of lots.
Succession successors serve only for the unexpired terms of their predecessors.
A “permanent vacancy” arises when an elective local official fills in a higher vacant office, refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, dies, is removed from office, voluntarily resigns, or is otherwise permanently incapacitated to discharge functions.
Ranking in the Sanggunian for succession is determined by the proportion of votes obtained by each winning candidate to the total registered voters in the constituency in the immediately preceding local election.

Filling permanent vacancies in the Sanggunian

Permanent vacancies in the Sangguniang Panlungsod are filled by appointment when automatic succession does not apply.
The President, through the Executive Secretary, makes the appointment.
Only the nominee of the political party under which the Sanggunian member was elected, and whose elevation to the next higher rank created the last vacancy, is eligible for appointment.
A nomination and a certificate of membership from the highest official of the political party are conditions sine qua non; an appointment without these is null and void ab initio and is a ground for administrative action against the responsible official.
If the permanent vacancy is caused by a Sanggunian member who does not belong to any political party, the City Mayor appoints a qualified person upon the Sanggunian’s recommendation.
For youth and barangay representation vacancies, the vacancy is filled automatically by the official next-in-rank of the concerned organization.

Appointive officers: qualifications and duties

The Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod is a career official with rank and salary equal to a head of a department or office.
The Secretary must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of Baguio, of good moral character, and must hold a college degree preferably in law, commerce, or public administration, and must be a first grade civil service eligible or equivalent.
The Secretary must attend meetings, keep the journal, keep the City seal, affix the seal with signatures on ordinances and resolutions, and forward approved ordinances and other required documents through prescribed processes under the Local Government Code of 1991.
The Secretary must provide certified copies of public records upon request and payment of fees to the City Treasurer, keep books of ordinances/resolutions with passage and publication dates, keep non-confidential records open to the public during usual hours, translate ordinances into the majority dialect and publish as required, and annually account for local archives (and library where applicable).
The City Treasurer is appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Finance from a list of at least three (3) ranking eligible recommendees of the City Mayor, subject to civil service law.
The City Treasurer must be a Philippine citizen, resident of Baguio, of good moral character, with a college degree in commerce, public administration or law, first grade civil service eligibility, and at least five (5) years experience in treasury or accounting service.
The City Treasurer must report regularly on tax collection efforts and manage City funds, including advising on disposition of funds and maintaining/updating the City’s tax information system and inspecting establishments in relation to implementation of tax ordinances.
The City Assessor must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, with a college degree preferably in civil or mechanical engineering, commerce or related course, first grade civil service eligibility, and at least five (5) years experience in real property assessment work or related field.
The City Assessor must ensure appraisal and assessment laws/policies are executed, establish systematic assessment methods, implement tax mapping and physical surveys, prepare fair market value schedules, issue certified copies upon request with service charges/fees paid to the City Treasurer, and submit semester reports of assessments plus cancellations/modifications to the City Mayor and Sangguniang Panlungsod, including attendance before the Local Board of Assessment Appeals when assessment is appealed.
The City Engineer must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, a licensed civil engineer, with at least five (5) years experience in practice; the City Engineer advises on engineering matters and administers City roads, bridges, and public works projects.
The City Buildings and Architecture Officer must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, licensed architect or civil engineer, with at least five (5) years experience; the Officer enforces the National Building Code of the Philippines and related issuances for vertical infrastructure development, ensures zoning plan compliance, and supports enforcement including demolition when necessary.
The City Health Officer must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, licensed medical practitioner, with at least five (5) years experience; the Officer supervises health services operations, formulates health policies/programs, enforces public health laws and sanitation-related inspections, coordinates health intelligence/campaigns, and is in the frontline during disasters and calamities.
The City Civil Registrar must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, with a college degree and first grade civil service eligibility, plus at least five (5) years experience in civil registry work; the Officer manages civil registration including accepting registrable documents, filing/preserving books, transcribing/entering documents, transmitting duplicates to the Office of the Civil Registrar-General, issuing certified transcripts/copies upon fees to the City Treasurer, and processing marriage license applications upon satisfaction of requirements and publication, and coordinates with the PSA for vital registration educational campaigns.
The City Accountant must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, a Certified Public Accountant, with at least five (5) years experience in treasury or accounting service; the Officer runs accounting and internal audit functions including maintaining an internal audit system, preparing financial statements, certifying budgetary allotment availability, reviewing documents, and maintaining ledgers and journals for disbursements and obligations.
The City Social Welfare and Development Officer must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, a duly licensed social worker, with a college degree preferably in sociology/social work/related field, first grade civil service eligibility, and at least five (5) years experience in social work; duties include social welfare program development, relief and crisis intervention for abused/exploited victims, assistance for child total development up to six (6) years, welfare programs for disabled, elderly, drug addiction victims, rehabilitation of prisoners/parolees, juvenile delinquency prevention, youth welfare support, and disaster frontline assistance.
The City Budget Officer must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, with a college degree preferably in accounting, economics, public administration, or related, first grade civil service eligibility, and at least five (5) years experience in budgeting or related; duties include preparing budget forms/circulars, consolidating budget proposals, assisting in budget preparation and budget hearings, studying budget implementation impacts of proposed legislation, submitting periodic budget reports to the Department of Budget and Management, coordinating budgeting with the Treasurer/Accountant/Planning Office, assisting review of barangay budgets, and coordinating the city development plan formulation.
The City Planning and Sustainable Development Officer must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, with a professional license as an environmental planner (preferably licensed engineer or architect), first grade civil service eligibility, and at least five (5) years experience in development planning or related field; the Officer formulates integrated sustainable development plans/policies including safe public spaces, ensures inclusivity/resiliency/sustainability and incorporation of UNSDG and similar targets, applies futures thinking with continuing studies/training, integrates sectoral plans, monitors implementation, prepares plans/documents for the local development council, analyzes income/expenditure patterns and recommends fiscal plans/policies for finance committee consideration, promotes people’s participation, and supervises the local development council secretariat.
The City Administrator must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, with a college degree preferably in public administration, law, or related, first grade civil service eligibility, and at least five (5) years experience in management/administration work; the term is coterminous with the appointing authority, and the Officer performs administrative planning, coordination, personnel program building, organizational development, disaster frontline administrative support, and recommends measures to the Sanggunian and advises the City Mayor.
The City Legal Officer must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and must have practiced law for at least five (5) years immediately preceding appointment; the term is coterminous with appointing authority; the Officer represents the City in civil actions/special proceedings where the LGU or its officials are parties, drafts ordinances/contracts when required, renders written opinions when requested, investigates administrative neglect/misconduct and franchise noncompliance, initiates/prosecutes civil actions for breaches related to City bonds/leases/contracts when directed, and is in the frontline of protecting human rights and prosecuting violations especially during and after disasters.
The City General Services Officer must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, with a college degree in public administration/business administration/business management, first grade civil service eligibility, and at least five (5) years experience in general services including supply and property management; duties include managing/being accountable for City properties, recommending rental rates for City and private properties to be leased, supervising janitorial/security/landscaping and related services in City public buildings and properties, collating and disseminating supply cost information, managing records, performing archival/records management and enforcing policies on records creation/maintenance/disposal, and disaster frontline protection for records and supplies.
The City Veterinarian must be a Philippine citizen, resident, of good moral character, licensed doctor of veterinary medicine, with at least three (3) years veterinary practice experience immediately preceding appointment; duties include advising on slaughter of animals and slaughterhouse regulation, regulating domestic animal keeping, regulating and inspecting poultry/milk/dairy for public consumption, enforcing cruelty prevention laws and animal disease control measures, disaster frontline veterinary response, and recommendations to the Sangguniang Panlungsod on veterinary matters.