Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.2655

Introduced by Hon. Rufus B. Rodriguez and Hon, Eulogio “Leo” R. Rodriguez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to rectify a particular provision in Republic Act No. 11689 or the “Revised
Charter of the City of Baguio”.

It is proposed that Section 23, paragraph C, number 4 of the Revised Charter be deleted as it
makes reference to Section 56 of the Local Government Code of 1991 which only applies to
component cities and municipalities.

The City of Baguio is a highly-urbanized city, and is independent from any provincial
government. As such, the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod should not be required to
forward copies of the approved ordinances of the city government to any Sangguniang
Panlalawigan for the review of such ordinances.

In a legal opinion of the Reference and Research Bureau (RRB) of the House of
Representatives, it states, “In this particular instance, the inserted provision of forwarding to
the Sangguniang Panlalawigan copies of duly approved ordinances of Baguio City, an HUC
is not within the spirit of the law. Thus, it can never prevail over the spirit or intention of a
statute and is not considered part of the statute. To reiterate, the legislative intent for the
revised charter of Baguio City is categorical and unequivocal. The intention of Congress is to
achieve effectiveness and efficiency in local governance and promote the general welfare of
the people of Baguio City. Congress did not intend to revert the status of Baguio City from
HUC to a Component City by directing the Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to
forward to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan copies of duly approved ordinances of Baguio
City.”

To avoid misinterpretation and confusion on the said provision of RA 11689, deletion of
Section 23, par. C, number 4 is deemed necessary and urgent.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

HON. iS B. [GUEZ HON. EULOGIO “LEO” R. ROD!


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.2655,

Introduced by Hon. Rufus B, Rodriguez and Hon. Eulogio “Leo” R. Rodriguez

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 23 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11689, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE “REVISED CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BAGUIO”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 23 of Republic Act No. 11689 or the “Revised Charter of the
City of Baguio” is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec.23. Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod. — (a) There shall be a
Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod who shall be a career official with the rank
and salary equal to a head of a department or office.

XXX

“(©) The Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall take charge of the
office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and shall:

XXX

“{(S)] (4) Furnish, upon the request of any interested party, certified
copies of records of public character in custody, upon payment to the
City Treasurer of such fees as may be prescribed by ordinance;

“{(6)] (5) Record in a book kept for the purpose, all ordinances and
resolutions enacted or adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, with
the dates of passage and publication thereof,

“[@) (6) Keep the office and all non-confidential records therein open
to the public during usual business hours;


“{(8)]_ (7) Translate into the dialect used by the majority of the
inhabitants all ordinances and resolutions immediately after their
approval and cause the publication of the same together with the
original version in the manner provided under the Local Government
Code of 1991, as amended;

“{()] (8) Take custody of the local archives and where applicable, the
local library, and annually account for the same; and

“{@0)] (9) Perform other duties and functions, and exercise such other
powers as provided under the Local Government Code of 1991, as
amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.”

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or other
issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Acts are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,