Title
Charter Creating Quezon City
Law
Commonwealth Act No. 502
Decision Date
Oct 12, 1939
The Charter of Quezon City establishes the municipality of Quezon City in the Philippines, granting it perpetual succession and outlining the powers and duties of its officials and departments, including taxation, contracts, and law enforcement.
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Territorial Boundaries

  • Detailed description of city boundaries using boundary monuments, rivers, roads, creeks, and other landmarks
  • Boundaries set to define jurisdiction and extent of Quezon City

Appointment and Removal of City Officials

  • Appointment by President with consent of the Commission on Appointments
  • Positions include mayor, vice-mayor, city secretary, council members, health officer, engineer, police chief, treasurer, assessor, attorneys
  • Temporary appointments allowed during absence or inability to serve
  • Compensation prescribed for mayor, city secretary, council members, and other officers
  • President authorized to organize government and advance funds for setup
  • Territorial jurisdiction remains with prior municipalities until organization completed

Prohibition on Conflicts of Interest

  • City officials/employees barred from having direct or indirect interest in city contracts, business transactions involving city funds
  • Prohibition includes licensed games, business dealings, and property purchases involving the city

City’s Non-liability for Official Negligence

  • City not liable for damages from failure or negligence of city officers in enforcing laws or ordinances

Additional Duties of City Officers

  • Officers to have further powers and duties as prescribed by law or ordinance

Conduct of Elections

  • City Council assumes election duties of provincial boards and municipal councils
  • City Secretary assumes duties of provincial treasurers and municipal secretaries

Duties and Powers of the Mayor

  • Enforce laws, ordinances, and resolutions within city jurisdiction
  • Supervise other city officers and initiate legal actions for dereliction
  • Preside and vote at City Council meetings
  • Inspect city officers’ records
  • Sign warrants, bonds, contracts, ordinances, and resolutions
  • Appoint and suspend city employees under Civil Service Law
  • Institute judicial proceedings to protect city interests
  • Annual inventory and financial estimates reporting to Department Head and City Council
  • Prepare annual city government operations report

Role of the Vice-Mayor

  • Assume mayoral duties during mayor’s absence or disability, except removal of officers

Composition and Functioning of the City Council

  • Consists of mayor, vice mayor, and three members
  • Weekly regular meetings, special meetings by mayor’s call
  • Meetings open to public unless majority votes otherwise
  • Keep records and adopt procedural rules
  • Majority quorum to transact business
  • Ordinance passage requires majority vote
  • Ordinances require city seal, signatures, posting, and specified effectivity

City Council’s Legislative and Regulatory Powers

  • Appropriations for government expenses and salary fixation
  • Levy and collection of taxes and fees
  • Licensing and regulation of various trades and businesses
  • Revocation of licenses injurious to public morals or peace
  • Regulation of potentially hazardous businesses and materials
  • Control over streets, public places, and traffic
  • Establishment and maintenance of public buildings, schools, and fire departments
  • Sanitary regulations, nuisance abatement, and public health enforcement
  • Regulation of public utilities, including electric light, heat, and power supply systems
  • Authority to enact ordinances carrying penalties not exceeding prescribed limits

Restrictions on Commercial Signs

  • Ban on erection of commercial signs on public lands and buildings
  • Mayor empowered to order removal of offensive or nuisance signs
  • Cost of removal charged to responsible parties

Functions of the City Secretary

  • Secretary of City Council and other boards
  • Keeping journal, records, and corporate seal
  • Posting of ordinances
  • Custodian of city records and documents

City Health Officer’s Mandate

  • Supervise health and sanitation
  • Enforce health laws and ordinances
  • Recommend health measures to City Council
  • Prosecute sanitary law violations
  • Conduct sanitary inspections aided by sanitary police and inspectors

City Engineer’s Responsibilities

  • Surveying and engineering works
  • Public improvements planning and supervision
  • Custody of public buildings and property
  • Enforcement of regulations over buildings and safety
  • Maintenance of streets, parks, cemeteries, sewers, and water supply
  • Preparation of plans/specifications for public works
  • Authority to order securing or demolition of dangerous buildings

Contracting and Procurement Procedures

  • Bids required for public works over ₱3,000, advertised publicly
  • Deposit requirements and performance bonds mandated
  • Discretion to reject bids and hire through day labor
  • Procurement of supplies centralized through Purchasing Agent, with exceptions

City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney

  • Chief legal adviser
  • Representation in civil cases
  • Drafting and reviewing legal documents
  • Prosecuting crimes and violations of city ordinances
  • Investigating city officers’ misconduct and franchise violations
  • Authority to subpoena witnesses and cause autopsies in suspicious deaths
  • Assistant to assist the City Attorney as directed

Judicial and Police Functions

  • Justice of the Peace and auxiliary appointed for city jurisdiction
  • Chief of Police with command over police and prison
  • Peace officers powers including arrest without warrant under conditions
  • Mayor empowered to call special police in emergencies

Fiscal Management: Treasurer, Assessor, and Tax Board

  • City Treasurer collects revenues, keeps funds, disburses on warrant, and performs duties akin to provincial treasurers
  • City Assessor lists and values real property, hears complaints, maintains assessment rolls
  • Board of Tax Appeals composed of City Council members to decide tax disputes

Taxation and Tax Enforcement

  • Exemptions for public and charitable properties
  • Annual real estate tax up to 2%, with penalties for delinquency
  • Seizure and sale of personal property to satisfy unpaid taxes
  • Tax liens superior to other claims, enforceable via sale of real estate
  • Procedures for public notice, sale, redemption, and deed execution for sold or forfeited properties
  • Legal remedies and court requirements for challenging taxes and tax sales

Assembly Districts Jurisdiction

  • Initial inclusion in existing assembly districts pending lawmaking changes

Effectivity Clause

  • Act effective upon approval

This comprehensive summary captures the core objectives, organizational framework, powers, responsibilities, procedures, and penalties provided under the Act establishing and governing Quezon City.


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