Law Summary
General Powers and Liability
- The City has a common seal subject to alteration.
- Powers include taxing, opening/closing roads, purchasing and disposing of property, and condemning property for public use.
- The City and its officials are liable for death, injury, or damage to property.
Jurisdiction
- Police jurisdiction covers the City’s territorial boundaries and the drainage area of its water supply.
- The City Court shares jurisdiction over crimes in water supply drainage areas.
- Licenses issued within these zones accrue fees to the proper local government.
City Officials
- The City government includes the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod members, and various city officials such as Treasurer, Assessor, Accountant, Engineers, Health Officer, Legal Officer, and others.
- The Mayor appoints additional officials like Architect, Information Officer, and Population Officer.
- Officials are appointed by the Mayor with Sangguniang Panlungsod concurrence.
City Mayor: Qualifications, Powers, and Duties
- Must be at least 23 years old, a resident for 1 year, and a qualified voter.
- Serves a 3-year term with specified salary grade.
- Chief executive responsible for policy guidelines, development plans, legislative measures, appointments, business transactions, disaster response, staff discipline, audit, and reporting.
- Has general and specific regulatory powers including law enforcement, public safety, resource generation, service delivery, and representation of National Police Commission.
City Vice Mayor: Qualifications and Functions
- Elected with similar qualifications as the Mayor, with a 3-year term.
- Presides over the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
- Appoints officials for legislative offices.
- Assumes Mayoral duties in case of vacancy or temporary absence.
Sangguniang Panlungsod: Composition and Legislative Powers
- Composed of Vice Mayor (presiding officer), regular members, barangay and youth federation presidents, and sectoral representatives.
- Members must meet age and residency qualifications.
- Powers include enacting ordinances to maintain peace and order, protect public welfare, approve budgets, impose local taxes, approve franchises, regulate land use, and oversee delivery of basic services.
- Oversees public utilities, environmental protection, social welfare, land classification, and local development activities.
Legislative Process and Procedures
- Rules of procedure to be adopted or updated within 90 days of election.
- Rules cover organization, committees, legislative calendar, discipline, and member conduct.
- Full disclosure of financial and business interests by members is required to avoid conflicts of interest.
- Sessions are generally public, with quorum defined as majority of elected members.
- Ordinances require Mayoral approval or may be overridden by a two-thirds Sangguniang vote.
- Barangay ordinances undergo review with power to suspend or amend inconsistent ordinances.
Disqualifications and Succession
- Disqualifications for elective office include criminal convictions, removal from office, dual citizenship, fugitives, residency abroad, and mental incapacity.
- Succession rules provided for permanent and temporary vacancies in the offices of Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Sangguniang members.
- Appointment process for filling certain vacancies requires political party nomination or City Mayor recommendation.
Appointive City Officials: Qualifications and Duties
- Various key city officials including Secretary to the Sangguniang, Treasurer, Assessor, Accountant, Budget Officer, Planning Coordinator, Engineer, Health Officer, Civil Registrar, Administrator, Legal Officer, Social Welfare Officer, Environmental Officer, Architect, Information Officer, Cooperatives Officer, Population Officer, Veterinarian, and General Services Officer.
- Must meet specific citizenship, residency, moral character, education, civil service eligibility, and experience requirements.
- Duties range from management and supervision to technical assistance, planning, law enforcement, public health, social services, environmental management, communication, and urban development.
Transitory and Final Provisions
- Existing municipal ordinances remain in force until amended.
- Creation of the City is subject to plebiscite ratification.
- Current municipal officials and employees continue in their roles until successors qualify.
- The City inherits the assets, liabilities, and jurisdictional status of the Municipality.
- A five-year moratorium on increasing local tax rates applies.
- Valenzuela shall have at least two legislative districts.
- The City shall be governed by relevant laws including the Local Government Code and Metropolitan Manila regulations, except where inconsistent with this Act.
- Provisions for separability, repeal of inconsistent laws, and immediate effectivity upon approval are included.