The Baguio City Council deliberated on a contentious provision in House Bill No. 7406 and the Revised City Charter which requires the Secretary of the Sanggunian (Baguio City Council) to forward copies of approved ordinances to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Benguet.
Sponsored by Senator JV Ejercito, House Bill No. 7406 retains Section 23.c.4 of Republic Act No. 11689 (An Act Revising the Charter of the City of Baguio) which mandates that the Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Baguio shall “forward to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan copies of duly approved ordinances in the manner provided in Sections 56 and 57 of the Local Government Code of 1991.”
The discussion came in the heels of the approval of the budget of the City Government of Baguio for Fiscal Year 2025 amounting P3,000,692,000.00 in the form of an ordinance.
Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan asked whether the ordinance should be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Benguet. He inquired how the Baguio City Council members intend to address this matter.
Councilor Peter Fianza stressed that under Section 326 of the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, the budget of a highly urbanized city should be reviewed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to ensure compliance with statutory and administrative standards.
Fianza added that there are several errors in the Revised City Charter particularly in Sections 23, 52, and 55, as well as certain provisions related to land.
Tabanda said that Congressman Mark Go, main author of the Revised City Charter, had previously admitted that it was simply an oversight. She stressed that Go already filed proposed measures for the deletion of the said provision. She Cited Resolution No. 214 of the House of Representatives signed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez which expresses approval to the proposal to amend the Revised City Charter to ensure alignment with the provisions of the LGC.
Councilor Jose Molintas argued that the entire Revised City Charter should be scrapped for being “anti-Baguio” and suggested creating a new city charter that reflects the aspirations of the residents.
Agreeing with Fianza, Allad-iw pointed out a conflict between the LGC and the Revised City Charter. Despite expressing uncertainty about which should prevail, he acknowledged that the Revised City Charter is already law, is operative, and must be complied with. He added that ordinances must be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as mandated by law.
Councilor Arthur Allad-iw initially moved that the Revised City Charter must be complied with, but the motion was later withdrawn.
Olowan suggested consulting legal experts, such as law school deans, regarding this issue, as moved by Allad-iw. The motion was lost with only seven members in favor (Councilors Arthur Allad-iw, Jose Molintas, Peter Fianza, Fred Bagbagen, SK Federation President John Rhey Mananeng), six against (Councilors Leandro Yangot Jr., Mylen Victoria Yaranon, Elmer Datuin, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Vladimir Cayabas, and Liga ng mga Barangay President Rocky Aliping), and one abstaining (Councilor Benny Bomogao).
The city council decided to maintain the status quo regarding the approval of city ordinances and resolutions. **Jordan G. Habbiling
