REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

BATANGAS CITY
SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

THE AMENDED RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE

SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD 2016
PREAMBLE

We, the Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Batangas, in order
to fulfil our constitutional duty to promulgate ordinances and resolutions to promote the
general welfare of our people, through the preservation and enrichment of culture,
promotion of health and safety, enhancement of the right of the people to a balanced
ecology, improvement of public morals, economic prosperity and social justice, hereby
promulgate and pledge faithful obedience to these Rules.

RULE I. – FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

SECTION 1. Every member has the same rights as those of any of his/her colleagues.
Each one has the right to vote and be voted upon propose motions, discuss and decide questions,
and to exercise any of the prerogatives that attach to his membership in the Sangguniang
Panlungsod subject to restrictions as when he/she is ruled out of order or when he/she repeatedly
makes frivolous motions or subjected to some disciplinary action for indecorum.

SECTION 2. The assembly must ensure majority rule.

SECTION 3. The minority must be protected or respected. Complementary to the

majority rule, the minority has the right to speak and be heard on any measure brought before the
Sanggunian/Committee as well as to employ any parliamentary device to prevent action on, or
approval of any question to which its members are opposed.

RULE II. – COMPOSITION OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

SECTION 1. The Sangguniang Panlungsod, the legislative body of the city, shall be
composed of the City Vice-Mayor as presiding officer, the Regular Sanggunian Members, the
President of the City Chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay as ex-officio member, the President
of the Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan as ex-officio member, as
members.

SECTION 2. The Regular Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the ex-officio
members shall assume office on the day and in the manner provided for by law.

RULE III. – THE PRESIDING OFFICER

SECTION 1. The City Vice Mayor shall be the Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang
Panlungsod. The Presiding Officer shall only vote to break a tie.

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 SECTION 2. In the event of the inability of the Regular Presiding Officer to preside at
the Sanggunian session, the members present and constituting a quorum shall elect from among
themselves a temporary Presiding Officer. He shall certify within ten (10) days from the passage
of ordinances enacted and resolution adopted by the Sanggunian in the session over which he
temporarily presided.

SECTION 3. The Powers, Duties and Functions of the City Vice Mayor – The Vice
Mayor shall:

1) Be the Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and sign all warrants drawn on
the city treasury for all expenditures appropriated for the operation of the Sangguniang
Panlungsod.
2) Subject to civil service law, rules and regulations, appoint all officials and employees of
the Sangguniang Panlungsod, except those whose manner of appointment is specifically
provided in the Local Government Code of 1991;
3) Assume the office of the City Mayor for the unexpired term of the latter in the event of
permanent vacancy as provided for in Section 44, Book 1 of the Code;
4) Exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the City Mayor in cases of
temporary vacancy as provided for in Section 46, Book I of the Code;

SECTION 4. Role as Presiding Officer – As a member of the organization, he is entitled

to participate in the deliberation of any question before the assembly, but this he should do only
from the floor after surrendering the Chair temporarily to some other member.

Further, the other functions of the Presiding Officers are the following:
A. Remain impartial during debate – the presiding officer must relinquish the chair in
order to debate the merits of a motion.
B. Vote only to break a tie
C. Determine that a quorum is present before transacting business
D. Introduce business in proper order
E. Recognize speakers
F. Determine if a motion is in order
G. Keep discussion germane to the pending motion
H. Maintain order
I. Put motions to a vote and announce results
J. Employ unanimous consent (general consent) when appropriate

SECTION 5. Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as
may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

RULE IV. – POWERS, DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE SANGGUNIANG

PANLUNGSOD

SECTION 1. The Sangguniang Panlungsod, as the legislative body of the city, shall
enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the City
and its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of the Local Government Code and in the proper
exercise of the corporate powers of the City as provided for under Section 22 of the Code, and

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shall exercise those powers, duties and functions as provided in Section 458 of the Local
Government Code and those embodied in the Chapter of Batangas City.

RULE V. – THE SECRETARY

SECTION 1. The Qualifications, Powers and Duties

a) The Secretary to the Sanggunian shall be a career official with the rank and the salary
equal to a head of department or office.

b) No person shall be appointed Secretary to the Sanggunian unless he is a citizen of the

Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concerned, of good moral
character, a holder of a college degree, preferably in law, commerce or public
administration from recognized college or university and a first grade civil service
eligible or its equivalent.

c) The Secretary to the Sanggunian shall take charge of the Office of the Secretary to the
Sanggunian and shall:

1) Attend sessions and meetings of the Sanggunian and keep a journal of its
proceeding.

2) Keep the seal of the local government unit and affix the same with his signature to
all ordinances, resolutions and other official acts of the Sanggunian and present
the same to the Presiding Officer for his signature;

3) Forward to the City Mayor for approval, copies of ordinances enacted by the
Sanggunian and duly certified by the Presiding Officer or temporary Presiding
Officer within ten (10) days upon enactment by the Sanggunian, however, in case
of failure of the Presiding Officer or temporary Presiding Officer to certify within
the said period then the Secretary of the Sanggunian shall immediately certify the
enacted ordinances and forward the same to the City Mayor for approval. The
same procedure shall be followed in case of resolution of concurrence, approval
or authorization to the official acts of the City Mayor.

4) Forward to the Sangguniang Panglalawigan copies of duly approved ordinances,

in the manner provided in Section 56 under Book 1 of the Code.

5) Furnish, upon request of any interested party, certified copies records of public
character in his custody, upon payment to the treasure of such fees as may be
prescribed by ordinance;

6) Record in a book kept for the purpose, all ordinances and resolutions enacted or
adopted by the Sanggunian, with the dates of passage and publication thereof;

7) Keep his office and all non- confidential records there in open to the public during
the usual business hours;

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 8) 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 code;

9) Take custody of the local archives and, where applicable, the local library and
annually account for the same;

10) Prepare the Calendar of Business or Agenda of the Sanggunian as concurred in

by the Presiding Officer and furnish each member a copy thereof not less than (3)
three days before every regular session;

11) Transmit to the proper committees all matters reffered to them by the Sanggunian
or the Presiding Officer.

12) Send out appropriate notices of all called session, meeting and public hearing;

13) Furnish the Office of the city Mayor and City Legal Officer and each member of
the Sanggunian with every approved ordinance, resolution and the other official
acts of the Sanggunian which they are entitled to receive.

14) Perform other duties as the Sanggunian or its Presiding Officer may direct;

15) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may
be prescribed by law or ordinance relative to his position;

RULE VI. – THE COMMITTEES

SECTON 1. The Sangguniang Panlungsod shall create standing committees which shall
include, but shall not be limited to:

a. Committee on Appropriations
b. Committee on Women and Family
c. Committee on Human Rights
d. Committee on Youth and Sports Development
e. Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry and Operation of Markets
f. Committee on Transportation
g. Committee on Environment and Urban Development, Land Use and Zoning
h. Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions
i. Committee on Public Lands
j. Committee on Games and Amusement
k. Committee on Tourism
l. Committee on Scientific Advancement
m. Committee on Health
n. Committee on Social Welfare
o. Committee on Archives and Historical Matters

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 p. Committee on Accreditation
q. Committee on Anti-Filipino Activities
r. Committee on Fire and Risk Reduction
s. Committee on Labor and Employment
t. Committee on Civil Service
u. Committee on Public Information and Communications
v. Committee on Laws, Rules and Regulations
w. Committee on Codification of Laws
x. Committee on Anti-Poverty and Informal Settlers
y. Committee on Migrant Workers
z. Committee on National Cultural Communities
aa. Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives
bb. Committee on Engineering and Public Works
cc. Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety
dd. Committee on Education
ee. Committee on Senior Citizen and Veterans Affairs
ff. Committee on Ethics and Good Government
gg. Committee on Barangay Affairs
hh. Committee on Ways and Means

SECTION 4. The General jurisdictions of the following committees are as follows:

a. Committee on Appropriations – All matter relating to funds for expenditures

of the City Government and for payment of public indeptedness, claims
against the government and in general all matters pertaining to public
expenditures.

b. Committee on Women and Family - all matters relating to the promotion of

the welfare of the family and women.

c. Committee on Human Rights - all matters relating to the enhancement,

protection and safeguard of human rights.

d. Committee on Youth and Sports Development - All matters relating to youth

welfare and sports development.

e. Committee on Trade, Commerce, Industry and Operation of Markets – All

matters relating to trade, commerce, industry and operation of markets, public
or private.

f. Committee on Transportation - All matters relating to land, water and air

transportation in general.

g. Committee on Environment and Urban Development, Land Use and Zoning –

All matters relating to environment, natural resources, landed estate, urban
development, land use/zoning housing and other related facilities and
development.

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h. Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions – All matters relating to the
establishment and operation of banks and financial institutions.

i. Committee on Public Lands – All matters relating to the lands of public

domain, survey and registration of titles.

j. Committee on Games and Amusement - All matters relating to games and

amusement conducted by private persons and entities.

k. Committee on Tourism – All matters relating to tourism.

l. Committee on Scientific Advancement - All matters relating to science and

technology, research, development and advancement.

m. Committee on Health - All matters relating to public health and hygiene in

general.

n. Committee on Social Welfare – All matters relating to social welfare and

development.

o. Committee on Archives and Historical Matters - All matters relating to

records of historical relevance and value.

p. Committee on Accreditation - All matters relating to the accreditation of

NGOS.

q. Committee on Anti-Filipino Activities - All matters relating to activities

inimical to the interest, dignity and honor of the Filipino People.

r. Committee on Fire and Risk Reduction - All matters relating fire, natural
calamitites and Disaster Risk Reduction

s.
t. Committee on Labor and Employment – All matters relating to labor,
employment and labor standards.

u. Committee on Civil Services - All matters relating to civil service.

v. Committee on Public Information and Communication - All matters relating

to public information and communication.

w. Committee on Laws, Rules and Regulations - All matters relating to

parliamentary procedure of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, creation of
Communities, questions of validity of ordinances and resolution, rules and
regulations that may be brought to the Sangguniang Panlunsod for comment
or resolution or approval and Order and Calendar Business for each session.

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 x. Committee on Codification of Law - All matters relating to codification of
City Ordinances.

y. Committee on Anti-Poverty and Informal Settlers – All matters relating to

measures on Anti-Poverty and Informal Settlers.

z. Committee on Migrant Workers - All matters relating to Migrant Workers in

Batangas City.

aa. Committee on National Cultural Communities - All matters relating to the

welfare of the national cultural communities.

bb. Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives – All matters relating to

agriculture generally, including animal industry, extension service, farm credit
and others.

cc. Committee on Engineering and Public Works - All matters relating to

construction, maintenance and repair of public buildings, road, bridges and
other public works.

dd. Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety - All matters relating to the
peace and order and public safety situations in Batangas City.

ee. Committee on Education - All matters relating to education including all

matters relative to public and private educational institutions.

ff. Committee on Senior Citizen and Veterans Affairs – All matters relating to
the welfare of senior citizens and veterans.

gg. Committee on Ethics and Goods Government – All matters relating to the
observance of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials
and Employees.

hh. Committee on Barangay Affairs – All matters relating to Barangay Affairs.

ii. Committee on Ways and Means – All matters relating to revenue generally or
sources of income for the City Government.

SECTION 5. Special Committees may be created by the Sanggunian on Special purposes

and as the need for them arises.

SECTION 6. Committee Procedures.

a. The Presiding Officer shall not be a member of any standing committee but may be
designated by the Sanggunian as chairman of a special committee created for special
purposes.

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b. The ex-officio members of the Sagguniang Panlungsod may be considered in the
membership of the standing committees of the Sangguniang Panlungsod other than
the Committee on Barangay Affairs for ABC President and Committee on Youth for
the SK Federation President.

c. No member shall be elected to any committee which has jurisdiction over a matter
regarding which such member has a direct personal or precaution interest.

d. Committee shall meet at the call of their respective chairman or a majority of their
members, provided due notice is served upon each and every member thereof.

e. A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum to do business.

Unexplained absences in three successive committee meetings shall operate to
relinquish membership therein.

f. When a vacancy occurs in a committee, the members of the committee may authorize
any of the Sangguniang Panlungsod member to temporarily represent them as
members of the committee regarding one issue.

g. Any committee may request, through the Presiding Officer, the appearance before it
of any official or employee of the City over which the Sanggunian exercises
jurisdiction. Any person may appear at a committee meeting and present his views on
matters before it at such time as the committee may designate. However, during final
deliberation, no person shall be present except the committee members and such
employees of the Sanggunian as are necessary to facilitate the performance of its
functions.

h. All committees shall report to the Sanggunian on every matter referred to them by the
Presiding Officer. When a measure referred to two or more standing committees, the
committees concerned may submit a joint or a separate report thereon.

i. Committee reports shall be adopted formally, securing signatures of committee

member in lieu of a formal meeting is prohibited.

j. A committee member unless he has entered his objections to the committee report or,
in lieu thereof, has filed with the secretary his dissenting vote in writing before the
report is submitted to the body in open session, shall be presume to have concurred in
the report and shall thus be precluded from opposing it on the floor.

k. A committee, reporting out proposed ordinance and / or resolution shall submit a

copy of its report and a copy of the proposed ordinance and/or resolution to the
Secretary of the Sanggunian who shall calendar the same for second reading. Copies
thereof shall also be furnished every Sanggunian member preparatory to its
consideration on the floor.

l. A committee which has failed to submit a report or a particular question or for any
similarly valid reason, may be discharge by the body from further consideration of

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 said question and may, through the same motion, assign it to another committee or
submit the question to the body for disposition.

m. In the conduct committee hearing and legislative inquiries the following rules shall be
strictly observed:
1) All persons attending the hearing shall observe proper behaviour and decorum.

2) Only members of the committee conducting the hearing shall be allowed to

propound questions to the invited guests or officials and questions should be
relevant to the merits of the pending questions or issues. The relevancy shall be
decided by the Chairman of the Committee.

3) Members of the Sanggunian attending a Committee hearing but who are not
members of the assigned Committee conducting the hearing shall only act as
observers. However, they may propound clarificatory through the Chairman of the
Committee.

4) Indecorous behaviour, abusive remarks and innuendoes, hearsay statement shall

be stricken out of the record upon order of the Chairman, and the person guilty of
such offense shall be censured or be excluded from the session hall or committee
hearing room.

5) Due respect should always be accorded to the invited guest and all remarks and
answers shall always be addressed to the Committee Chairman, avoiding
personalities.

6) Once a person has been formally recognized by the Chair, he is the only person
allowed to speak at the moment.

7) A member of the Committee must be protected in his right to speak, so long as he

observes the rules of decorum and confines himself to the subject which has
become the “pending questions”.

8) Only such business as was specified or included in the notice of the meeting /
hearing can be legally taken up in such meeting or hearing.

9) The statement or remarks are restricted to the measures under discussion and
neither its proposer nor his motives can be discussed.

10) Acts and phrases which offend a Committee member or any public officials shall
be deemed to be unparliamentary.

11) No committee member or any person under any circumstance and during the
discussion or debate, shall used offensive or improper language against another
member or against any invited guest officials of the government.

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 12) When a member or any person, by word or deed, violates any rule the chairman,
motu propio or the instance of any member, may call him to order. The improper
or objectionable words shall be stricken off the record.

13) The Committee may order the public excluded from the gallery and the doors of
the session hall closed in the interest of public safety, order and confidentiality.

14) In the conduct of legislative inquiries the following fundamental rules shall also
be strictly observed:

a) All discussion, remarks and inquiries to be addressed to the Chairman.

b) Not to addressed or refer to officers or officials by name and reference

must be made in respectful manner.

c) Confine discussion to the immediately pending questions.

d) Courteous in language and avoiding remarks of a personal nature.

e) Respect to the right of a person against self incrimination and the right to
remain silent on matters of confidentiality.

RULE VII. - SESSIONS

SECTION 1. - (a) The session of the Sanggunian may either be regular or special.

1. The Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod is hereby fixed on Tuesday

of every week at exactly 1 o'clock in the afternoon at the Session Hall, Sangguniang
Panlungsod Building.

2. Special Session.

(i) When public interest so demands, special session may be called by the
City Mayor or by a majority of the Members of the Sanggunian.

(ii) A written notice to the Sanggunian members stating the date, time and
purpose of the meeting shall be served personally or left with a
member of his household at his usual place of residence at
least twenty four (24) hours before the special session is held.

(iii) Unless otherwise agreed upon by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members
present, there being a quorum, no other matter maybe considered at
a special session except those stated in the notice.

(b) All Sanggunian Session shall be open to the public unless a closed door
session is ordered by an affirmative vote of a majority of the

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members present, there being a quorum, in the public interest or for
reason of security, decency or morality.

(c) No two (2) sessions whether regular or special, may be held in a single
day.

(d) The Sanggunian shall keep a journal and record of its proceedings which
may be published upon resolution of the Sanggunian.

RULE VIII. - QUORUM

(a) A majority of all the Members of the Sanggunian who have been elected and
qualified shall constitute a quorum to transact official business.

(b) Should a question of quorum be raised during a session, the Presiding Officer
shall immediately proceed to call the roll of the members and thereafter
announce the result.

(c) Where there is no quorum, the Presiding Officer may declare a recess until
such time as a quorum is constituted, or a majority of the members present
may adjourn from day to day and compel the immediate attendance of any
member absent without justifiable cause by designating a Member of a
Sanggunian, to be assisted by a member or members of the police
force assigned in the territorial jurisdiction of the City, to arrest the
absent member and present him at the session.

(d) If there is still no quorum despite the enforcement of the immediately preceding
paragraph, no business shall be transacted. The Presiding Officer, upon proper
motion duly approved by the members present, shall then declare the session
adjourned for lack of quorum.

RULE IX. - ORDER OF THE BUSINESS

SECTION 1. The order of the business of the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall be as

follows:

A. Call to Order
B. Invocation
C. The National Anthem
D. Roll Call of Members
E. Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Session
F. Committee Reports
G. Unfinished Business - (Business not terminated during the immediate preceding
session)

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 Second reading or third reading, as the case maybe, of ordinances, resolutions and
other legislative measures set on the calendar for deliberation or final vote.

H. Business for the Day (Agenda)

Reading and reference to the corresponding Committees of all communications,

petitions, memorials, endorsement, memoranda, motion, barrio resolutions,
proposed resolutions, and ordinances and other legislative measures.

I. Privilege Hour
J. Adjournment

SECTION 2. Agenda - Matters that may be taken up in the session of the Sanggunian shall be
limited only to those items listed in the same, the nature and substance of which must be
described.

SECTION 3. After the Business of the Day, any member desiring to deliver a privilege speech
may, with the permission of the Chair first had, speak for not more than twenty (20) minutes;
Provided, However, that if more than one member desires to speak for this purpose, each
speaker, shall be limited to only ten (10) minutes, Provided Further that not more than three (3)
speakers, may be allowed to speak for this purpose in one session. With the permission of the
speaker, interpellation may be made immediately after his speech.

The privilege hour shall be confined solely for the ventilation of sentiments and
grievances of the people. However, at the instance of any member of the Sanggunian, any motion
during the privilege hour can be entertained provided that it is properly raised and duly seconded.

SECTION 4. With the consent of the Sanggunian, urgent matters may be submitted to the
Sanggunian in session. Urgent matters are such which involve public interest, the delay in the
consideration of which shall prejudice essential activities of the government.

SECTION 5. The agenda shall be distributed to the Members not less than three (3) days
preceding the session.

SECTION 6. Committee reports shall be rendered first, by the regular committees in the order
they are created, then by special committees.

The report, consisting of the findings and recommendations of the majorities of the
committees, shall be made by its chairman or if he dissents with the majority opinion, by any
committee member concurring therein and duly designated by the purpose. If the
recommendation is favorable, it shall be calendared for second reading, otherwise, it should be
considered laid on the table.

SECTION 7. The consideration of unfinished business shall be resumed after the committee
reports have been rendered and so on at each succeeding session until such unfinished business is
disposed of.

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SECTION 8. The business for the day (agenda) shall be taken up in the order in which it is set
in the calendar.

SECTION 9. Ordinances, resolutions and other legislative matters scheduled for final reading
shall be called in the order set forth in the calendar of the business and shall be considered in the
manner prescribed hereafter.

SECTION 10. On the Motion to Suspend the Rules, item of business may be taken away from
their fixed order and considered forthwith by the Sanggunian.

SECTION 11. APPEARANCE OF HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OR INVITED GUESTS

(a) Appearance Upon Request of the Sanggunian – A department head or any person may
by majority vote of the members present there being a quorum, be requested to appear
before the Sanggunian and be heard by it on any matter pertaining to his/her department
or on any issue of general interest.  The request shall state generally the questions to be
answered and the date and hour for his/her appearance.  His/her appearance shall be
scheduled at least three days from receipt of the request.  The Sanggunian may also
conduct inquiries in aid of legislation on any matter of general interest in accordance with
these Rules and/or Rules of Procedure it may adopt governing the conduct of said
inquiries.

The order of business shall specify the subject of the question, the Department Head
requested to answer them and the proponent thereof.

(b) QUESTIONS.  –  Written questions shall be submitted to the Presiding Officer in

triplicate.  Questions of an urgent nature that of in general manner, or those relating to
current issues shall be given priority. Any member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall
be recognized to profound his/her scheduled question and shall be entitled to three (3)
minutes for supplemental questions.

Questions may be withdrawn by the proponent: Provided, That no answer has yet been
made.  The withdrawal shall be in writing, addressed to the Presiding Officer, and
submitted before the day of the scheduled appearance.

(c) STANDARDS SET FOR QUESTIONS.  –  Questions shall be based on facts, asked to
obtain information or press for action.  No questions shall:

(a) Contain arguments;

(b) Suggest its own answer;
(c) Include offensive or unparliamentary language or expressions;
(d) Pertain to subjudice matters;
(e) Seek an opinion on a question of law;
(f) Include names or statements other than what is strictly necessary to make the question
intelligible;
(g) Relate to matters falling directly under the responsibility of another Department Head;

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 (h) Refer to an item of the agenda of the current month’s session or to proceedings of a
committee not yet reported, or suggest amendments to proposed ordinances or
resolutions; or
(i) Repeat a question previously asked and answered.

RULE X. - RULES GOVERNING THE ENACTMENT, APPROVAL AND

EFFECTIVITY OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.

SECTION 1. Ordinances and Resolutions. - The following rules shall govern the enactment of
ordinances and resolutions.

(a) Legislation of a general and permanent character shall be enacted in the form
of ordinances, while those which are temporary character shall be passed
in the form of resolutions. Matters relating to proprietary functions and to
private concern shall be also acted upon the resolution.

(b) Proposed ordinances and resolutions shall be writing and shall be contain an
assigned number, a titled or caption, an enacting or ordaining clause, and
the date of its proposed effectivity. In addition, every proposed ordinance
shall be accompanied by a brief explanatory note containing the
justification for its approval. If shall be signed by the author. or authors and
submitted to the Secretary of the Sanggunian who shall report the
same to the Sanggunian at its next session.

(c) A resolution shall be enacted in the same manner prescribed for an ordinance,
except that it need not to go through a Third Reading for its final
consideration unless decided otherwise, by majority of all the Sanggunian
Members.

(d) No ordinance or resolution shall be considered on Second Reading in any regular

session unless it has been reported out by the proper committee to which it was
referred or certified as urgent by the City Mayor and copies thereof are provided
and distributed to all the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod before the
second reading of the proposed ordinance.

(e) Any legislative matter duly certified by the City Mayor as urgent, whether or
not it is included in the calendar of business may be presented and
considered by the Sanggunian at the same session without need of suspending
the rules.

(f) The Secretary of the Sangunian shall prepare copies of the proposed ordinance
or resolution in the form it was passed in the second reading and shall be
distribute to each Sanggunian Member a copy thereof, except that
a measure certified by the City Mayor as urgent maybe submitted for final

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voting immediately after debate or amendment during the Second
Reading.

(g) No ordinance or resolution passed by the Sanggunian in a regular or special

session duly called for the purposed shall be valid unless approved by a
majority of the Members present, there being a quorum. Any
ordinance or resolution authorizing or directing the payment of money or
creating liability, shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all the
Sanggunian members for its passage.

(h) Upon the passage of all ordinances and resolutions directing the payment of
money or creating liability and at the request of any member, or any
resolution or motion, the Sanggunian shall record the yes and nays.
Each approved ordinance or resolution shall be stamped with the seal of
the Sanggunian and recorded in a book kept for the purpose.

SECTION 2. UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN, ORDINANCES AND

RESOLUTIONS SHALL UNDERGO THREE READINGS, AS FOLLOWS:

(a) First Reading, at which shall consist of the reading by the Secretary of the title of
the proposed ordinance or resolution and the name of its author, after which it
shall be referred by the Presiding Officer to the appropriate committee or
committees without debate.

(b) Second Reading, at which the proposed ordinance or resolution, after having
been sponsored on the floor by the committee chairman or by any
committee member designated for the purpose, shall be read in full in the
manner recommended by the Committee or committees, where
upon the measure shall be subject, first to debate, and then to
amendments and all proper parliamentary motions.

(c) Third reading at which no debate or amendment shall be allowed but the title
of the proposed ordinance or resolution shall be read and the vote upon its
passage and shall be immediately taken.

SECTION 3. Approval of Ordinances.

(a) Every ordinance enacted by the Sanggunian shall be presented to the City
Mayor within ten (10) days upon enactment by the Sanggunian. If the City
Mayor approves the same, he shall affix his signature on each and every
page thereof, otherwise he shall veto it return the same with his objections to
Sanggunian, which may proceed to reconsider the same. The
Sanggunian may over - ride the veto of the City Mayor or by two-thirds (2/3)
vote of all its member thereby making the ordinance or resolution
effective for all legal intents and purposes.

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 (b) The veto shall be communicated by the City Mayor to the Sanggunian within ten
(10) days, otherwise, the ordinance shall be deemed approved as if he had
signed it.

SECTION 4. Veto Power of the City Mayor

(a) The City Mayor may veto any ordinance or resolution of the Sangguniang
Panlungsod on the ground that it is ultra vires or prejudicial to the public welfare,
stating his reasons therefore in writing.

(b) The City Mayor shall have the power to veto any particular item or items of an
appropriations ordinance, ordinance or resolution adopting a local development
plan and public investment program, or an ordinance directing the payment of
money or creating liability. In such case, the veto shall not affect the item or items
which are not objected to. The vetoed item or items shall not take effect unless the
Sanggunian over-rides the veto in the manner herein provided; otherwise, the item
or items in the appropriations ordinance of the previous year corresponding to
those vetoed, if any, shall be deemed re-enacted.

(c) The City Mayor may veto an ordinance or resolution only once. The Sanggunian
may over-ride the veto of the City Mayor by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its
Members, thereby making the ordinance effective even without the approval of
the City Mayor.

SECTION 5. Effectivity of Ordinances and Resolutions. - Unless otherwise stated in the

ordinance or resolution approving the local development plan and public investment program,
the same shall take effect after ten (10) days from the date a copy thereof is posted in a bulletin
board at the entrance of the City Hall and in at least two (2) other conspicuous.

Ordinances with penal sanctions shall be posted at conspicuous places in the City Hall for a
minimum period of three (3) consecutive weeks, and shall also be published in a newspaper of
general circulation within the province. Unless otherwise provided therein, said ordinance shall
take effect on the day following its publication, or the end of the period of posting whichever
occurs later.

RULE XI. - MINUTES

SECTION 1. The Minutes of the Sanggunian. - Then record of the proceeding of the
Sanggunian shall be referred to as the "Minutes". It shall comprise a succinct and exact account
of the business transacted and the Actions taken thereon. The Minutes must clearly show the
following:

1. Nature of the session held, whether regular or special, (If special, a copy of the call.)

2. Name of the Sanggunian and names of member present and absent.

3. Date, place and time of session.

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 4. Statements whether minutes of previous meetings were read and approved citing
correction, if any.

5. The approved resolution or ordinance and if the resolution or ordinance was not
approved unanimously, a brief statement of the minority opinion.

6. All nominal voting.

7. All main motion (except those withdrawn.)

8. Points of order and appeals, and the manner in which they were disposed.

9. The veto message of the Mayor.

10. The time of adjournment

SECTION 2. The Minutes shall be signed by the Secretary and attested by the Presiding
Officer.

SECTION 3. The Minutes of every session shall be read and approved by a majority of the
Members present at the session at which they are read, and if necessary, corrected by the same
vote or by general consent.

The Member of the Sanggunian shall always be furnished a copy of the Minutes of the
immediately preceding session three (3) days before the succeeding session.

RULE XII. – DEBATES AND DECORUM

SECTION 1. When any Member desires to deliver any remarks to the Sanggunian, he shall rise
and request the Chair to let him have the floor, which consent shall be necessary before he may
proceed. When two or more Members rise at the same time, the Presiding Officer shall name the
Member who is to speak first and shall alternate the floor between those who wish to speak for
and against a given question.

SECTION 2. The Member who has obtained the floor shall address his remarks to the Chair,
confine himself to the question under debate, avoiding personalities and shall conduct himself
with proper decorum.

SECTION 3. No Member of the Sanggunian shall occupy more than 30 minutes in debate on
any questions at the same session without the approval of the Sanggunian.

After three have spoken in favor and two against a question or only one speech shall have
been delivered and none against, a motion to close the debate shall be in order. If said motion is
approved, the Sanggunian shall proceed to consider amendments to the question. Remarks on
each amendment by any Member shall not exceed three (3) minutes.

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SECTION 4. The Sanggunian may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Members present, close
debate on any question, upon motion for the previous question. And proceed to vote on the main
question without debate.

SECTION 5. The Member reporting a measure from a committee on delivering the sponsorship
speech of a proposed legislation may open and close the debate within the time permitted each
Member by the Rules of the Sanggunian.

SECTION 6. If any Member, by his speech or behavior, transgresses the Rules of the
Sanggunian, the Presiding Officer, on his own initiative or at the request of any Member, shall
call him to order, and the Sangguanian shall, if appealed to, decide on the case without debate
except for brief remarks by the appellant, explaining his appeal for not more than five minutes. If
the decision is in favor of the Member called to order, he may proceed, but not otherwise.

SECTION 7. During sessions of the Sangguanian, the members shall observe proper decorum.
They shall remain in their seats during roll call or when a vote is being taken and no one shall
pass between a member who has the floor and the Chair.

SECTION 8. While the Presiding Officer is addressing the Sangguian, no member shall walk
out of or across the session hall.

SECTION 9. No person, of the Sanggunian shall be permitted at any time to smoke within the
Session Hall.

SECTION 10. No Member of the Sanggunian shall be allowed to speak, deliver any remark,
comment or participate in any deliberation, EXCEPT TO VOTE, during the regular or special
session of the Sanggunian unless he is in proper attire, that is smart casual.

RULE XIII. – DISCIPLINE AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS.

SECTION 1. Member of the Sanggunian Panlungsod found guilty of disorderly behavior

and/or absences without justifiable cause for four (4) consecutive sessions, may be censured,
reprimanded, or excluded from the session, suspended for not more than sixty (60) days, or
expelled; Provided, that the penalty of suspension or expulsion shall require the concurrence of
at least two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the Sanggunian Member: Provided, further, That a Member
convicted by final judgment to imprisonment of at least one (1) year for any crime involving
moral turpitude shall be automatically expelled from the Sanggunian.

RULE XIV – VOTING

SECTION 1. Voting in the Sanggunian shall be done by viva voce, raising of hands, or by roll
call, unless a different method is prescribed by the Sanggunian for a particular question. In
taking the vote, the affirmative shall be taken first and then the negative.

SECTION 2. When voting nominally, the Secretary shall call the roll of Members of the
Sanggunian, and as each name is called, the Member shall announce his vote by saying Yes or
No as the case may be, or ABSTAIN if he is not voting. A Member may explain his vote not to
exceed two (2) minutes.

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RULE XV. PAPERS AND DOCUMENTATION

SECTION 1. As businesses are disposed of by the committees all documents and papers related
to such businesses shall be delivered to the Secretary who shall keep the same in the files of the
Sanggunian.

SECTION 2. At the adjournment of the last session of a Sanggunian, all papers still in the
possession of any committee shall be delivered to the Secretary who shall preserve then in the
files of the Sanggunian in the manner required by the character of said papers.

SECTION 3. The Secretary shall issue, upon written request of any person, a certified copy or
record within his control and shall be authorized to charge a fee for said purposed in the manner
prescribed by law.

RULE XVI.- SUSPENSION OF RULES.

SECTION 1. Any part of these Rules, not prescribed by or based on statutory law or any
higher act, may suspended by general consent or by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Members
present, provided that the suspension of the rules shall be for the sole purpose of the question
pending at the time motion for which said suspension is made.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding the provision of the immediate preceding section, no part of

these Rules may be suspended if its effect is to protect absentee members or inevitably exposed
of member’s vote.

RULE XVII. - AMENDMENTS TO RULES

SECTION 1. These rules may be amended at any regular session by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
all Members of the Sanggunian, provided that notice of the proposed amendments has been
given at the session previous to the one at which said amendment is to be considered.

SECTION 2. No provision of these Rules which is prescribed by, or based on, statutory law or
any other higher authority may be amended or revised.

RULE XVIII - SUPPLEMENTARY RULES

SECTION 1. The rules of procedure and parliamentary practices of the legislative bodies of the
Philippines and the newly revised Robert’s Rule of Order shall serve as supplementary
authorities of the Sanggunian in so far as they are not incompatible with its own rules and
standing orders.

RULES XIX. – SEPARABILITY CLAUSE

SECTION 1. If, for any reason, or reasons any part or provision of this Rule of Procedure shall
be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other parts of provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

RULE XX. – DATE OF EFFECTIVITY.

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SECTION 1. These Rules shall take effect upon their adoption.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED.

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing “New Rules of Procedure of the Sangguniang
Panlungsod” was adopted and approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on October 18,
2016.

ATTY. OLIVA D. TELEGATOS

Secretary
Sangguniang Panlungsod

ATTESTED:

EMILIO FRANCISCO A. BERBERABE, JR.

Presiding Officer

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 RESOLUTION NO. __ S. 2019

APPROVING THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD COMMITTEES,

JURISDICTION, CHAIRMANSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP

RESOLVED, to approve the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committees, Jurisdicion, Chairmanship

and Membership as follow;

A. Committee on Appropriations - All matter relating to finds for expenditures of the City
Government and for payment of public ineptness, claims against the government and in
general all matters pertaining to public expenditures.

Chairman - Alyssa Renee A. Cruz

Members - Julian B. Villena
Gerardo A. Delaroca
Nelson J. Chavez
Oliver Z. Macatangay

B. Committee on Women and Family - all matters relating to the promotion of the welfare
of the family and women

Chairman - Isidra M. Atienza

Members - Aileen Grace A. Montalbo
Alyssa Renee A. Cruz
Maria Aleth A. Lazarte
S.K. Federation President

C. Committee on Human Rights - all matters relating to the enhancement, protection and
safeguard of human rights.

Chairman - Nelson J. Chavez

Members Maria Aleth A. Lazarte
Julian Pedro M. Pastor

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 D. Committee on Youth & Sports Development - All matters relating to youth welfare and
sports development.

Chairman - S.K. Federation President

Members - Karlos A. Buted
Oliver Z. Macatangay
Alyssa Renee A. Cruz
Aileen Grace A. Montalbo

E. Committee on Trade Commerce Industry And Operation of Markets - All matters relating
to trade, commerce, industry and operation of markets, public or private.

Chairman - Gerardo A. Dela Roca

Members - Aileen Grace A. Montalbo
Julian B. Villena

F. Committee on Transportation - All matters relating to land, water and air transportation
in general.

Chairman - Nestor E. Dimacuha

Members - Oliver Z. Macatangay
Nelson J. Chavez
Karlos A. Buted
Lorenzo A. Gamboa Jr.

G. Committee on Environment and Urban Development, Land Use and Zoning - All matters
relating to environment, natural resources, landed estate, urban development,
land use/zoning housing and other related facilities and development.

Chairman - Gerardo A. Dela Roca

Members - Alyssa Renee A. Cruz
Julian B. Villena
Nelson J. Chavez
S.K. Federation President
Oliver Z. Macatangay
Nestor E. Dimacuha

H. Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions - All matters relating to the Establishment
and operation of banks and financial institutions.

Chairman - Aileen Grace A. Montalbo

Members - Nelson J. Chavez
Julian B. Villena

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 I. Committee on Public Lands - All matters relating to the lands of public domain, survey
and registration of titles.

Chairman - Nelson J. Chavez

Members - Julian B. Villena
Gerardo A. Dela Roca

J. Committee on Games & Amusement - All matters relating to games and amusement
conducted by private persons and entities.

Chairman - Julian B. Villena

Members - Isidra M. Atienza
Oliver Z. Macatangay
Karlos A. Buted
Nestor E. Dimacuha

K. Committee on Tourism - All matters relating to tourism.

Chairman - Maria Aleth A. Lazarte

Members - Aileen Grace A. Montalbo
Gerardo A. Dela Roca
Alyssa Renee A. Cruz
Isidra M. Atienza

L. Committee on Scientific Advancement - All matters relating to science and technology,

research, development and advancement.

Chairman - Aileen Grace A. Montalbo

Members - Lorenzo A. Gamboa Jr.
Maria Aleth A. Lazarte
Gerardo A. Dela Roca
S.K. Federation President

M. Committee on Health - All matters relating to public health and hygiene in general.

Chairman - Oliver Z. Macatangay

Members - Maria Aleth A. Lazarte
Aileen Grace A. Montalbo
Karlos A. Buted
Julian Pedro M. Pastor
Lorenzo A. Gamboa Jr.
S.K. Federation President

N. Committee on Social Welfare - All matters relating to all matters relating to social welfare
and development.

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Chairman - Nelson J. Chavez
Members - Isidra M. Atienza
Aileen Grace A. Montalbo
Alyssa Renee A. Cruz
Gerardo A. Dela Roca

O. Committee on Archives & Historical Matters - All matters relating to records of historical
relevance and value.

Chairman - Karlos A. Buted

Members - S.K. Federation President
ABC President

P. Committee on Accreditation - All matters relating to the accreditation of NGOs.

Chairman - Aileen Grace A. Montalbo

Members - Isidra M. Atienza
Karlos A. Buted
Julian Pedro M. Pastor
Gerardo A. Dela Roca

Q. Committee on Anti-Filipino Activities - All matters relating to the activities inimical to

the interest, dignity and honor of the Filipino People.

Chairman - Karlos A. Buted

Members - Julian Pedro M. Pastor
Nestor E. Dimacuha

R. Committee on Fire and Risk Reduction - All matters relating to fire, natural calamitites
and Disaster Risk Reduction

Chairman - Oliver Z. Macatangay

Members - Nestor E. Dimacuha
Lorenzo A. Gamboa Jr.
Julian Pedro M. Pastor
Alyssa Renee A. Cruz

S. Committee on Labor & Employment - All matters relating to labor, employment and labor
standards.

Chairman - Maria Aleth A. Lazarte

Members - Lorenzo A. Gamboa Jr.
Alyssa Renee A. Cruz
Gerardo A. Dela Roca
S.K. Federation President

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 T. Committee on Civil Service - All matters relating to civil service.

Chairman - Julian Pedro M. Pastor

Members - Julian B. Villena
Nestor E. Dimacuha

U. Committee on Public Information & Communication - All matters relating to public

information and communication.

Chairman - Karlos A. Buted

Members - Julian B. Villena
Alyssa Renee A. Cruz

V. Committee on Laws , Rules & Regulation - All matters relating to parliamentary

procedure of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, creation of Committees, questions of validity
of ordinances and resolutions, rules and regulations, that may be brought to the
Sangguniang Panlungsod for comments or resolution or approval and Order and Calendar
of Business for each session.

Chairman - Alyssa Renee A. Cruz

Members - Gerardo Delaroca
Julian B. Villena
Oliver Z. Macatangay
Nelson J. Chavez

W. Committee on Codification of Laws - All matters relating to the codification of City

Ordinances.

Chairman - Lorenzo A. Gamboa Jr.

Members - Nestor E. Dimacuha
Karlos A. Buted

X. Committee on Anti-Poverty and Informal Settlers - All matters relating to measures on

Anti-Poverty and Informal Settlers.

Chairman - Oliver Z. Macatangay

Members - Julian Pedro M. Pastor
Karlos A. Buted

Y. Committee on Migrant Workers - All matters relating to Migrant Workers in Batangas

City.

Chairman - Julian Pedro M. Pastor

Members - Julian B. Villena
Oliver Z. Macatangay

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 Z. Committee on National Cultural Communities - All matters relating to the welfare of the
national cultural communities.

Chairman - Lorenzo A. Gamboa Jr.

Members - Oliver Z. Macatangay
Aileen Grace A. Montalbo

AA.Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives - All matters relating to the agriculture

generally, including animal industry, extension services, farm credit and others.

Chairman - Isidra M. Atienza

Members - Gerardo A. Delaroca
Maria Aleth A. Lazarte
Aileen Grace A. Montalbo
Nelson J. Chavez

BB. Committee on Engineering & Public Works - All matters relating to construction,
maintenance and repair of public buildings, road, bridges and other public works.

Chairman - Gerardo A. Dela Roca

Members - Lorenzo A. Gamboa Jr.
Maria Aleth A. Lazarte
Nestor E. Dimacuha
Isidra M. Atienza

CC. Committee on Ways and Means - All matters relating to revenue generally or sources of
income for the City Government.

Chairman - Nestor E. Dimacuha

Members - Aileen Grace A. Montalbo
Karlos A. Buted
Gerardo A. Dela Roca
S.K. Federation President

DD. Committee on Peace & Order and Public Safety - All matters relating to the peace and order
and public safety situations in Batangas City.

Chairman - Julian B. Villena

Members - Oliver Z. Macatangay
Nelson J. Chavez
Alyssa Renee A. Cruz
Nestor E. Dimacuha

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EE. Committee on Education - All matters relating to education including all matters relative to
public and private educational institutions.

Chairman - Alyssa Renee A. Cruz

Members - Karlos A. Buted
Nestor E. Dimacuha
Julian B. Villena
Gerardo A. Dela Roca
Isidra M. Atienza
S.K. Federation President

FF. Committee on Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs - All matters relating to the welfare of
senior citizens and veterans.

Chairman - Julian B. Villena

Members - Nestor E. Dimacuha
Isidra M. Atienza
Julian Pedro M. Pastor
Gerardo A. Dela Roca

GG. Committee on Ethics and Good Government - All matters relating to the observance of the
Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees.

Chairman - Nestor E. Dimacuha

Members - Alyssa Renee A. Cruz
Aileen Grace A. Montalbo

HH. Committee on Barangay Affairs - All matters relating to Barangay Affairs.

Chairman - ABC President

Members - Nelson J. Chavez
Lorenzo A. Gamboa Jr.

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