SC sustains 16 new cities anew

CEBU, Philippines - In a 7-5 vote, the Supreme Court en banc yesterday denied the second motion for reconsideration filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines asking for the reversal of its decision favoring the 16 new City Laws.

In a text message sent to The FREEMAN, Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas said the decision may now be final considering that this is the second appeal the LCP filed.

Gullas is responsible for the conversion of two affected cities: Naga and Carcar.

Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong said he was elated at this recent development as it would mean the end of the battle that they had been fighting since November 2008.

“Nalipay kaayo, kay after all the previous decisions, this time, ni-stick ang Supreme Court nga constitutional gyud ang among pagka-syudad. Ni-surface na ang justice,” said Chiong.

Like Gullas, Chiong also believes that this latest decision of the High Tribunal is final and executory. Chiong said they will soon enjoy their city-value Internal Revenue Allotment, which was reduced in May 2009 following the said court’s earlier decision.

It was in November 18, 2008 when the Supreme Court declared null the 16 new City Laws for failing to meet the requirements provided under Republic Act 9009 which amended the income requirement from P20 million to P100 million. 

But the new cities contended that before RA 9009 was approved, there was already an agreement that all the cityhood laws filed during the 11th Congress be exempted. Hence, the passage went smoothly without this law's author, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, questioning it. The said exemption, Gullas said, is even stated in the charters of the 16 cities.

This was heard by the SC in its Dec 21, 2009 ruling which reversed its Nov. 18, 2008 decision. But it again changed its decision on August 24, 2010 it affirmed its old ruling.

But then again, in its February 15, 2011 decision, the court reaffirmed the City Laws of the 16 affected local government units.

Immediately after the decision was released, the LCP filed its first motion for reconsideration assailing the court’s resolution. In April this year, the court denied the motion which gave hope to the 16 cities.

And now that they’ve won for the second time in a row, Chiong said they are positive that the SC will no longer change its mind again.