SC declares 16 cityhood laws constitutional with finality

MANILA, Philippines (July 2, 2011) - Sixteen municipalities have finally become cities after the Supreme Court declared the constitutionality of their cityhood conversion laws.

Soon to join the League of Cities of the Philippines are Baybay in Leyte, Bogo in Cebu, Catbalogan in Western Samar, Tandag in Surigao del Sur, Lamitan in Basilan, Borongan in Eastern Samar, Tayabas in Quezon, Tabuk in Kalinga, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur,Batac in Ilocos Norte, Mati in Davao Oriental, Guihulngan in Negros Oriental, Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte, El Salvador in Misamis Oriental, Carcar City in Cebu and Naga in Cebu.

The SC has directed its clerk of court to issue an entry of judgment on the case.

"...the finality of the resolutions upholding the constitutionality of the 16 Cityhood Laws now absolutely warrants the granting of respondents’ Motion for Entry of Judgment," the SC maintained.

The eight-page resolution penned by Justice Lucas Bersamin, the High Court likewise junked the motion of reconsideration filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines, noting that the petitioners’ motion merely rehashed the issues previously put forward.

"We should not ever lose sight of the fact that the 16 cities covered by the Cityhood Laws not only had conversion bills pending during the 11th Congress, but have also complied with the requirements of the LGC prescribed prior to its amendment by R.A. No. 9009,” the SC said.

“Congress undeniably gave these cities all the considerations that justice and fair play demanded. Hence, this Court should do no less by stamping its imprimatur to the clear and unmistakable legislative intent and by duly recognizing the certain collective wisdom of Congress," the Court added.

Declared as constitutional were Republic Act No. 9389 (Baybay City), RA No. 9390 (Bogo City), RA No. 9391 (Catbalogan City), RA No. 9392 (Tandag City), RA No. 9393 (Lamitan City), RA No. 9394 (Borongan City), RA No. 9398 (Tayabas City), RA No. 9404 (Tabuk City), RA No. 9405 (Bayugan City), RA No. 9407 (Batac City), RA No. 9408 (Mati City), RA No. 9409 (Guihulngan City), RA No. 9434 (Cabadbaran City), RA No. 9435 (El Salvador City), RA No. 9436 (Carcar City) and RA No. 9491 (Naga City in Cebu).

In its April 12, 2011 resolution, the SC reiterated that these Cityhood Laws were not violative of the Constitution and the Local Government Code (LGC). (From philstar.com)