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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Tobias "Toby" Tiangco

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to repeal the sixteen (16) Cityhood Laws, namely: Republic
Acts Nos, 9389, 9390, 9391, 9392, 9393, 9394, 9398, 9404, 9405, 9407, 9408.
9409, 9434, 9435, 9436, and 9491 which exempts certain municipalities from the
income requirement under Republic Act No. 9009.

The conversion of the sixteen (16) municipalities into cities, without
complying with the income requirement provided for under R.A. 9009, has
spawned controversies and division in the various sectors of the government
The constitutionality of the cityhood laws has been a debate both in the legal and
Judicial community. The frequent change of mind of the Highest Tribunal has not
put an end to the controversy. Thus, it is the opportune time for this Congress to
do its Constitutional duty by way of abolishing the exemption given to the subject
municipalities and by crafting a law that will reflect the clear intent of the
legislature and consistent with the Constitution to avoid judicial controversy.

It must be noted that the power to make laws is lodged in the Legislative
Department of the government. This has been expressly provided for in Article VI
Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution, to wit

“Section 1. The legislative power shall be vested in the
Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a
House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the
people by the provision on initiative and referendum."


The power of Congress to make laws carries with it the power to repeal
and amend the same. Hence, this proposed measure is very much within the
power of Congress.

The primary intent of the proposal is to avoid a dangerous precedent
which the above-mentioned Republic Acts may set. R.A. No. 9009 has not been
repealed or amended but its provisions are being disregarded which renders it a
useless and toothless law.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of the proposed measure is highly

requested

“Tobias “Toby” Tiangco™


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. “099

Introduced by Representative Tobias "Toby" Tiangco

AN ACT
REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 9389, 9390, 9391, 9392, 9393, 9394, 9398,
9404, 9405, 9407, 9408, 9409, 9434, 9435, 9436, AND 9491 ALSO KNOWN AS.
THE 16 CITYHOOD LAWS

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

SECTION 1. Republic Act No. 9389. entitled “An Act converting the
Municipality of Baybay in the Province of Leyte into a component city to be
known as the City of Baybay."; Republic Act No. 9390, entitled “An Act converting
the Municipality of Bogo, Cebu Province into a component city to be known as
the City of Bogo."; Republic Act No. 9391, entitled “An Act converting the
Municipality of Catbalogan in the Province of Samar into a component city to be
known as the City of Catbalogan."; Republic Act No. 9392, entitled “An Act
converting the Municipality of Tandag in the Province of Surigao del Sur into a
component city to be known as the City of Tandag."; Republic Act No. 9394.
entitled “An Act converting the Municipality of Borongan in the Province of
Eastern Samar into a component city to be known as the City of Borongan.”
Republic Act No. 9398, entitled “An Act converting the Municipality of Tayabas in
the Province of Quezon into a component city to be known as the City of
Tayabas."; Republic Act No. 9393, entitled "An Act converting the Municipality of
Lamitan in the Province of Basilan into a component city te be known as the City
of Lamitan.”; Republic Act No. 9404, entitled “An Act converting the Municipality
of Tabuk into a component city of the Province of Kalinga to be known as the City
of Tabuk.”; Republic Act No. 9405, entitled “An Act converting the Municipality of
Bayugan in the Province of Agusan del Sur into a component city to be known as


the City of Bayugan.”; Republic Act No. 9407, entitled “An Act converting the
Municipality of Batac in the Province of Ilocos Norte into a component city to be
known as the City of Batac.” ; Republic Act No. 9408, entitled “An Act converting
the Municipality of Mati in the Province of Davao Oriental into a component city to
be known as the City of Mati.”; Republic Act No. 9409, entitled “An Act converting
the Municipality of Guihulngen in the Province of Negros Oriental into a
component city to be known as the City of Guihuingan.”; Republic Act No. 9434,
entitled “An Act converting the Municipality of Cabadbaran into a component city
of the Province of Agusan Del Norte to be known as the City of Cabadbaran.”,
Republic Act No. 9436, entitled “An Act converting the Municipality of Carcar in
the Province of Cebu into a component city to be known as the City of Carcar."

Republic Act No, 9435, entitled “An Act converting the Municipality of El Salvador
in the Province of Misamis Oriental into a component city to be known as the City
of El Salvador.” and; Republic Act No. 9491, entitled “An Act converting the
Municipality of Naga in the Province of Cebu into a component city to be known
as the City of Naga.” are hereby repealed

Sec. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved