Corporate and General Powers
- The City possesses corporate powers including perpetual succession, ability to sue and be sued, use of corporate seal, property transactions, contract-making.
- Powers extend to levying taxes, managing roads and public properties, expropriation for public use, and enforcement of laws.
Liability and Police Jurisdiction
- The City and its officials are liable for damages causing death, injury, or property loss.
- Police jurisdiction covers the City's territory plus water supply drainage areas and extends 100 meters from city water facilities.
- City and neighboring courts have concurrent jurisdiction over crimes in these areas; police forces share jurisdiction.
City Officials
- Comprises City Mayor, Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod members, and various department heads including treasurer, assessor, legal officer, among others.
- Mayor may appoint additional officers in environment, architecture, information, cooperatives, population, agriculture.
- City fire station, jail, schools division, and prosecution service are established with specific heads.
- Officials appointed by Mayor with Sanggunian concurrence, subject to civil service rules; compensation per law.
City Mayor's Powers and Duties
- Chief executive elected by qualified voters, with specified qualifications and term limits.
- Responsibilities include policy guidance, development planning, legislative proposals, appointments, representation, emergency governance, financial oversight, enforcement of laws, and public order.
- Exercises police operational control, enforces public safety, manages city resources, and ensures delivery of basic services.
City Vice Mayor's Position and Functions
- Elected official with similar qualifications as Mayor, presides over Sangguniang Panlungsod.
- Responsible for signing warrants, appointing Sanggunian employees, assuming Mayor’s office upon vacancy, and performing delegated duties.
Sangguniang Panlungsod: Composition and Powers
- Legislative body consisting of Vice Mayor (presiding officer), ten members, Liga ng mga Barangay president, Sangguniang Kabataan president, and three sectoral representatives.
- Powers include enacting ordinances, approving budgets, regulating business activities, protecting public welfare, generating revenue, granting franchises, land use regulation, and ensuring basic services.
- Ordinances can impose fines/imprisonment within set limits.
Legislative Process and Transparency
- Sanggunian adopts internal rules regulating organization, sessions, business calendar, discipline, and legislative procedures.
- Members must disclose financial and business interests to avoid conflicts.
- Sessions scheduled regularly; special sessions may be called with notice.
Ordinance Approval and Review
- Ordinances submitted to Mayor for approval or veto; veto can be overridden by two-thirds Sanggunian vote.
- Provincial Sangguniang Panlalawigan reviews City ordinances; can declare invalid if beyond powers.
- Barangay ordinances are subject to Sanggunian review for legal consistency.
- Enforcement of disapproved ordinances results in penalties.
- Ordinances take effect after posting, with special posting rules for penal ordinances.
Disqualifications and Succession of Officials
- Disqualified candidates include those convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude within 2 years, removed officials, dual citizens, fugitives, foreigners with permanent residence abroad, and the insane.
- Permanent vacancies in Mayor or Vice Mayor offices filled by Vice Mayor or highest ranking Sanggunian members.
- Ranking determined by vote proportion; ties resolved by lot.
- Vacancies in Sanggunian filled by political parties or appointment based on recommendations.
- Temporary vacancies handled by Vice Mayor or highest ranking member with limitations.
Appointment and Qualifications of City Officials
- Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod: career official with degree and civil service eligibility, responsible for records, journals, ordinance dissemination.
- City Treasurer: appointed by DOF, reports to Mayor, manages city funds and tax collection.
- City Assessor: manages property assessments, tax mapping, and property records.
- City Accountant: responsible for internal audit, financial reporting, and accounting.
- City Budget Officer: handles budget prep, review, coordination with departments, and DBM reporting.
- City Planning and Development Officer: formulates development plans, monitors programs, coordinates sectoral plans.
- City Engineer: manages public works and infrastructure projects.
- City Health Officer: oversees health services, enforces health laws, conducts campaigns.
- City Civil Registrar: manages civil registration and issues certificates and licenses.
- City Administrator: coordinates city offices, manages personnel and administrative reforms.
- City Legal Officer: chief legal counsel, represents city in legal actions, advises on ordinances.
- City Social Welfare Officer: manages social welfare programs and vulnerable groups.
- City Veterinarian: responsible for animal health, slaughterhouses, and veterinary services.
- City General Services Officer: manages city properties, janitorial and security services, and general sanitation.
- City Environment and Natural Resources Officer: conservation and environmental protection duties.
- City Architect: plans and approves architectural layouts and designs.
- City Information Officer: disseminates information, manages public communication.
- City Cooperatives Officer: supports cooperative organizations and development.
- City Population Officer: manages population development and responsible parenthood programs.
- City Agriculturist: promotes agricultural productivity and enforces agricultural regulations.
City Fire, Jail, Schools, and Prosecution Services
- City Fire Station: provides firefighting and emergency services, headed by City Fire Marshal.
- City Jail Service: operates a secure jail facility, headed by City Jail Warden, ensures prisoner welfare.
- City Schools Division: established under DepEd, headed by City Schools Division Superintendent.
- City Prosecution Service: part of DOJ, headed by City Prosecutor, handles criminal prosecutions.
Transitory Provisions and Effectivity
- Existing municipal ordinances continue until superseded by Sanggunian.
- City acquires corporate existence upon plebiscite ratification.
- Current municipal officials continue until newly elected city officials assume office.
- City succeeds to municipality's assets, liabilities, and obligations.
- City remains under Batangas Province jurisdiction; residents vote in provincial elections.
- No increase in local taxes for five years post-cityhood.
- City remains part of the Third Legislative District of Batangas.
- Provisions adopt applicable laws, with consistency clauses.
- Charter takes effect fifteen days after publication in official gazette or newspaper.