AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF DASMARlÑAS IN THE PROVINCE OF CAVITE INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF DASMARIÑAS

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9723 (Charter of the City of Dasmariñas)

General Provisions
- Converts the Municipality of Dasmariñas in Cavite into a component City of Dasmariñas (Sec. 2)
- Defines the territorial jurisdiction and boundaries of the City (Sec. 2)
- Grants the City corporate powers and general powers (Sec. 3, 4)
- Allows the City to exercise general welfare powers (Sec. 5)
- Holds the City liable for damages from acts of officials/employees (Sec. 6)
- Defines the City's jurisdiction for police purposes (Sec. 7)

City Officials
- Lists the elective and appointive officials of the City (Sec. 8)
- Outlines the qualifications, powers, and duties of:
    - City Mayor (Sec. 9)
    - City Vice Mayor (Sec. 10)
    - Sangguniang Panlungsod (Sec. 11, 12)
    - Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (Sec. 26)
    - City Treasurer and Assistant City Treasurer (Sec. 27, 28)
    - City Assessor and Assistant City Assessor (Sec. 29, 30)
    - City Accountant (Sec. 31)
    - City Engineer and Assistant City Engineer (Sec. 32, 33)
    - City Architect (Sec. 34)
    - City Budget Officer (Sec. 35)
    - City Planning and Development Officer (Sec. 36)
    - City Health Officer and Assistant City Health Officer (Sec. 37, 38)
    - City Civil Registrar and Assistant City Civil Registrar (Sec. 39, 40)
    - City Administrator (Sec. 41)
    - City Legal Officer (Sec. 42)
    - City Social Welfare and Development Officer (Sec. 43)
    - City Veterinarian (Sec. 44)
    - City General Services Officer (Sec. 45)
    - City Information Officer (Sec. 46)
    - City Cooperatives Officer (Sec. 47)
    - City Population Officer (Sec. 48)
    - City Agriculturist (Sec. 49)
    - City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (Sec. 50)

Special Services
- Establishes a City Fire Station Service headed by a City Fire Marshal (Sec. 53)
- Establishes a City Jail Service headed by a City Jail Warden (Sec. 54)
- Establishes a City Schools Division headed by a City Schools Division Superintendent (Sec. 55)
- Establishes a City Prosecution Service headed by a City Prosecutor (Sec. 56)

Legislative Process
- Outlines the process for approving ordinances and resolutions (Sec. 13-22)
- Requires disclosure of financial interests by Sangguniang Panlungsod members (Sec. 14)
- Defines quorum requirements for Sangguniang Panlungsod sessions (Sec. 16)
- Allows the City Mayor to veto ordinances, subject to override by Sangguniang Panlungsod (Sec. 17, 18)
- Provides for review of City ordinances by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Sec. 19)
- Provides for review of barangay ordinances by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (Sec. 20)
- Prohibits enforcement of disapproved ordinances/resolutions (Sec. 21)
- Specifies the effectivity and publication requirements for ordinances/resolutions (Sec. 22)

Succession and Elections
- Outlines succession procedures for permanent vacancies in the offices of City Mayor, City Vice Mayor, and Sangguniang Panlungsod (Sec. 23, 24)
- Defines temporary vacancy procedures for the City Mayor (Sec. 25)
- Requires a plebiscite to ratify the creation of the City of Dasmariñas (Sec. 58)
- Allows current municipal officials to continue until new elections (Sec. 59)
- Provides for the City to succeed to assets, properties, liabilities, and obligations of the Municipality (Sec. 60)
- Allows qualified voters of the City to vote and run for provincial elective positions in Cavite (Sec. 61)
- Keeps the City under the jurisdiction of the Province of Cavite (Sec. 62)
- Suspends increase in local tax rates for 5 years after the City's creation (Sec. 63)
- Provides for the City to have its own legislative district (Sec. 64)

Other Provisions
- Allows existing municipal ordinances to remain in force until amended (Sec. 57)
- Declares the applicability of the Local Government Code and other laws (Sec. 65)
- Includes a separability clause (Sec. 66)
- Reserves the right to determine boundary disputes with adjoining LGUs (Sec. 67)
- Repeals inconsistent laws, decrees, rules, and regulations (Sec. 68)
- Sets the effectivity date 15 days after publication in newspapers (Sec. 69)