Powers and Duties: Municipal Mayor, Vice Mayor, Councilor in the Philippines

Municipal Mayor

Term of Office

• 3 years starting noon of June 30 following election day
• Can be elected to a maximum of 3 consecutive terms 

Qualifications

• Filipino citizen
• At least 21 years old on election day
• Registered voter in the municipality where he/she intends to be elected
• Resident of the municipality where he/she intends to be elected for at least 1 year before election day
• Able to read and write in Filipino or any other local language or dialect

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise all programs, projects, services, and activities of the municipal government
• Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the municipality and the exercise of its corporate powers
• Initiate and maximize resource and revenue generation
• Ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities

Source: Local Government Code of 1991

Municipal Vice Mayor

Term of Office

• 3 years starting noon of June 30 following election day
• Can be elected to a maximum of 3 consecutive terms 

Qualifications

• Filipino citizen
• At least 21 years old on election day
• Registered voter in the municipality where he/she intends to be elected
• Resident of the municipality where he/she intends to be elected for at least 1 year before election day
• Able to read and write in Filipino or any other local language or dialect

Powers and Responsibilities

• Preside over the sangguniang bayan (municipal council) and sign warrants for expenditures appropriated for its operation
• Appoint officials and employees of the sangguniang bayan, with exceptions provided in the Local Government Code
• Assume the municipal mayor’s office in the event of permanent vacancy
• Exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the municipal mayor in cases of temporary vacancy

Source: Local Government Code of 1991

Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) Member

Term of Office

• 3 years starting noon of June 30 following election day
• Can be elected to a maximum of 3 consecutive terms 

Qualifications

• Filipino citizen
• At least 18 years old on election day
• Registered voter in the district where he/she intends to be elected
• Resident of the district where he/she intends to be elected for at least 1 year before election day
• Able to read and write in Filipino or any other local language or dialect

Composition of the Municipal Council

• Municipal vice mayor, who serves as presiding officer
• Regular council members
• President of the municipal chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay
• President of the pambayang pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan
• 3 sectoral representatives: 1 from among women, 1 from agricultural or industrial workers, and 1 from any of the following: urban poor, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities

Powers and responsibilities

• Approve ordinances and pass resolutions for an efficient and effective municipal government
• Generate and maximize resources and revenues for the municipality’s development plans, program objectives, and priorities
• Grant franchises, enact ordinances authorizing the issuance of permits or licenses, enact ordinances levying taxes, fees, and charges
• Regulate activities related to the use of land, buildings, and structures within the municipality
• Approve ordinances ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of basic services and facilities

Source: Local Government Code of 1991

– Research by Loreben Tuquero/Rappler.com

Read the other articles in this series:

• Powers and Duties: President, Vice President of the Philippines
• Powers and Duties: Senator in the Philippines
• Powers and Duties: District Representative, Party List Representative in the Philippines
• Powers and Duties: Provincial Governor, Vice Governor, Board Member in the Philippines
• Powers and Duties: City Mayor, Vice Mayor, Councilor in the Philippines