Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill is filed consistent with the policy on local government 
autonomy and empowerment. 
The General Santos City, given its potential for growth, apart from 
having been placed in the world map so to speak by our ”pambansang 
kamao,” should be given the appropriate authority and resources to chart its 
own development. 
Sadly, the current disposition of its public lands has left the City no 
realizable income despite the clear provisions of its charter that it is the 
beneficial owner of such lands. 
Moreover, its desire to grow is unreasonably being hampered by 
certain agencies of government due to vagueness of certain laws and the 
absence of an unequivocal mandate. 
Hence, this bill seeks to rectify and make clear the provisions found in 
the charter of General Santos City if only to address the foregoing and to keep 
it updated especially with the enactment of the Local Government Code 
which dates way back 1992. 
Immediate passage of this bill is thus requested. 
FRANCIS G. EEUDERO 


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Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5412, AS AMENDED, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF 
GENERAL SANTOS 
Be it enncted by the Serinte niid the House of Representntives ofthe Philippines in 
Congress nssenibled: 
SECTIONl. Sections 98 and 101 of Republic Act No. 5412, as 
amended, are hereby further amended to read as follows: 
"Section 98. 
THE OWNERSHIP OF ALL LANDS OF 
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN WITHIN THE CITY OF GENERAL 
SANTOS BELONGS TO THE CITY. AS SUCH, [TI The 
disposition of all lands of the public domain in the city shall be 
in accordance with the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 
141, as amended, AND ALL OTHER PERTINENT LAWS, 
EXECUTIVE ISSUANCES, RULES AND REGULATIONS: 
Provided, That all incomes and receipts derived from such 
disposition, ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF 
ALL LANDS OF THE PUBLX DOMAIN shall accrue 
exclusively AND TO BE TURNED OVER IMMEDIATELY 
WITHOUT NEED OF DEMAND to the city as provided in 
this Act; 
PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE CITY 
GOVERNMENT SHALL AT ALL TIMES BE CONSULTED 
AND 
INFORMED 
OF 
SUCH 
DISPOSITION, 
ADMINISTRATION 
AND 
MANAGEMENT; 
AND 
PROVIDED FINALLY, THAT THE APPROVAL OF TEE 
CITY GOVERNMENT SHALL BE A MANDATORY 


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CONDITION 
PRIOR 
TO 
ANY 
DISPOSITION, 
ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SUCH 
PUBLIC LANDS.” 
“Section 101. Owizerslzip of wnterzoorks, electric light a i d  
poiuer nrid teleplzoize systerrrs, roads, sfreets, etc. - Any provisions 
OS law to the contrary notwithstanding, 
all existing 
waterworks, electric light and power, and/or telephone 
systems presently operated by the Municipality of General 
Santos shall be owned by the city, and revenues therefrom 
shall accrue to the general fund of the city. 
All existing municipal and provincial roads, streets, 
bridges, docks, piers, wharves, machineries, equipment and 
other public works improvements shall be owned by the city, 
and all the funds and assets of the Municipality of General 
Santos shall be owned by the city and its liabilities shall be 
assumed by the city, any provision of law to the contrary 
notwithstanding. 
NOTWITHSTANDING 
THE 
PROVISIONS 
OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 8371 AND 6657, AS AMENDED, THE 
CITY GOVERNMENT SHALL BE INFORMED AND ITS 
APPROVAL SHALL BE SOUGHT ON ALL MATTERS 
RELATING 
TO 
LANDS 
BY 
AGENCIES 
OF 
GOVERNMENT 
CONCERNED 
‘WHICH 
THE 
CITY 
COUNCIL DETERMINES FOR THE USE OF THE CITY.” 
SEC 2. Within Sixty (60) days from the date of the effectivity of this 
Act, all concerned agencies of government shall submit a comprehensive and 
detailed report of all dispositions of public lands in the city to the City 
Government. 
SEC. 3. The provisions of this Act rendered ineffective by virtue of 
Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, as amended, 


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specifically paragraph (8, Section 534 thereof, are hereby deemed repealed 
and superseded accordingly. 
SEC 4. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act shall, in 
addition to the administrative, civil or criminal liability imyosable under 
other existing laws, suffer the penalty of six (6) months imprisonment: 
Provided, That in the case of a government official or personnel, he/she shall 
likewise suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office. 
SEC. 5. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 6. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, proclamations 
and/or administrative regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed 
accordingly. 
SEC 7. To effectively implement the provision of this Act, the City 
Council of General Santos City in coordination with the agencies of 
government concerned shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules 
and regulations within sixty (60) days from the date of the effectivity of this 
act. 
SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved,