SC denies with finality 2nd motion for reconsideration on 16 cityhood laws

MANILA, May 7 — The Supreme Court (SC) has denied with finality a second motion for reconsideration on the illegality of the laws concerning the cityhood of 16 municipalities in the country.

In a three-page En Banc resolution, the SC warned that it will no longer accept anymore pleadings and an entry of judgment will be made on the case.

"In view of the denial of the second motion for reconsideration, no further pleadings shall be entertained. Let entry of judgment be made in due course," the SC said in its ruling.

It can be recalled that on Nov. 18, 2008, with a vote of 6-5, the SC declared as "illegal" the 16 cityhood laws due to violation of Sections 6 and 10 of the 1987 Constitution.

Those declared as "unconstitutional" are Republic Act Nos. 9389 for Baybay City in Leyte; 9390 (Bogo City, Cebu); 9391 (Catbalogan City, Samar); 9392 (Tandag City, Surigao del Sur); 9393 (Lamitan City, Basilan); 9394 (Borongan City, Samar); 9398 (Tayabas City, Quezon); 9404 (Tabuk City, Kalinga); 9405 (Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur); 9407 (Batac City, Ilocos Norte); 9408 (Mati City, Davao Oriental); 9409 (Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental); 9434 (Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte); 9435 (El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental); 9436 (Carcar City, Cebu); and 9491 (Naga City, Cebu).

Based on the cityhood laws, which were implemented following the effectivity of RA 9409, the said towns could be converted into cities despite their lack of a P100-million income as provided for in Section 450 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

The ruling was issued by the SC, after the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) questioned the cityhood laws for violation of the "equal protection" clause of the 1987 Constitution.

The LCP argued that the massive conversion of the said municipalities into cities would result in the decrease of the internal revenue allotment (IRA) of the existing cities in the country as the number of such local government units would increase which would also be entitled to their respective IRA. (PNA)

scs/PTR

Similar Posts:

• SC decision favoring cityhood of 16 towns hailed
• "Sneaky tactics" to regain cityhood of 16 LGUs deplored
• Residents of Davao Oriental hail SC’s reconsideration of cityhood decision
• LCP warns of massive retrenchment of city hall employees if number of cities continues to rise
• LCP asks SC to reconsider ruling on cityhood of 16 towns