Corporate Powers of the City
- City is a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
- Powers include suing and being sued, owning property, entering contracts, and exercising other corporate powers subject to law.
General Powers of the City
- Authority to levy taxes, manage roads, hold and dispose of property.
- Can condemn property for public use and engage in contracts.
- City officials not exempt from liability for damages.
Jurisdiction of the City
- Police jurisdiction covers city territory.
- Contains extended police jurisdiction focusing on water supply protection, with city courts having exclusive trial rights for offenses within this zone.
City Officials
- City mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, and other key officials enumerated.
- Mayor appoints additional officials with sangguniang panlungsod concurrence.
- Officials receive compensation subject to law and budget limits.
City Mayor
- Chief executive elected at large, qualifications include residency and age requirements.
- Powers include policy direction, appointing officials, emergency measures, law enforcement, budget preparation, licensing, and resource management.
- Responsibilities include overseeing delivery of basic services and development plans.
City Vice Mayor
- Elected similarly to mayor with similar qualifications except lower age.
- Presides over sangguniang panlungsod, appoints its officials, and assumes mayor’s office if vacant.
- Exercises mayoral powers during temporary vacancy.
Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council)
- Composed of vice mayor, elected members, barangay and youth federation presidents, and sectoral representatives.
- Legislative functions include enactment of ordinances, budget approval, tax levying, land use regulation, and local welfare measures.
- Provides legal assistance, regulates business and public utilities, and supervises local development.
Legislative Process and Sessions
- Rules of procedure adopted within 90 days post-election.
- Regular sessions held weekly, special sessions may be called by mayor or majority of members.
- Quorum constitutes majority of members; penalties for disorderly behavior.
- Ordinances require mayoral approval, with veto power subject to override by two-thirds vote.
Conflict of Interest and Disclosure
- Sanggunian members must disclose business and financial interests related to ordinances considered.
- Disclosure required before participation in deliberations or voting.
Succession and Vacancy in City Offices
- Vice mayor succeeds mayor if vacancy occurs.
- Highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod members fill vacancies in mayor or vice mayor offices.
- Vacancies in sangguniang panlungsod filled by appointment of political party nominee or by city mayor under conditions.
Temporary Incapacity of the Mayor
- Vice mayor or highest ranking councilor temporarily exercises mayoral powers under specific circumstances.
- Appointment powers during temporary vacancy limited to prolonged absence.
Elective City Offices
- Offices of city mayor, city vice mayor, and sangguniang panlungsod members established.
Appointive Officials: Qualifications and Duties
- Officials such as city treasurer, assessor, accountant, budget officer, planning coordinator, engineer, health officer, legal officer, social welfare officer, environment officer, architect, information officer, cooperatives officer, population officer, veterinarian, general services officer, agriculturist, zoning administrator, and others enumerated with qualifications and office functions.
- Duties include administration of specific city functions, policy formulation, service delivery, disaster response, and assisting the mayor and city council.
City Fire Station and Jail Service
- Establishes city fire station led by fire marshal responsible for fire prevention and emergency services.
- City jail established to secure detainees, headed by warden with qualifications in social sciences or related fields.
Transitory Provisions
- Existing municipal ordinances remain effective until replaced.
- No local tax rate increase for five years post cityhood.
- City acquires corporate existence after voter ratification in plebiscite.
- Current municipal officials continue until term ends or new officials qualify.
- City succeeds to all municipal assets and liabilities.
- City remains part of Third Congressional District until otherwise provided.
- Local Government Code and related laws apply unless inconsistent with this Act.
- Separability and repealing clauses ensure validity of unaffected provisions and repeal conflicting laws.
Effectivity
- Act takes effect upon approval.