The Government of Zamboanga City, also known as the Zamboanga City Government, is the local government unit in-charge of the City of Zamboanga. It is a mayor-council form of government supervised directly by the President of the Philippines and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.
The city government has three interdependent branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. The powers of the branches are vested by the 1991 Local Government Code of the Philippines in the following: Local legislative power is vested in a unicameral Sangguniang Panglungsod with the vice-mayor as its presiding officer. Local executive power is exercised by the government under the leadership of the City Mayor. Local judicial power is vested in the Regional Trial Court and lower courts.
Legislative department
The legislative power of the city is vested in the unicameral Sangguniang Panglungsod. It is composed of: the Vice Mayor as its presiding officer elected citywide; eight (8) councilors representing two of the city legislative districts which are elected for a term of three (3) years; Chairman of the Liga ng mga Barangay of the city as ex officio member; and President of the Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan of the city as ex officio member.
The elected members can be re-elected but they may not run for a fourth consecutive term.
When a vacancy arises in the Sanggunian, the President of the Philippines shall appoint to fill in the vacancy. In case of vacancy in the representation of the youth and the barangay in the Sanggunian, the said vacancy shall be filled automatically by the official next in rank of the organization concerned.
Executive department
The executive power is vested in the Mayor. The current executive branch is headed by Mayor John M. Dalipe of the Lakas CMD. The mayor is elected by popular vote to a term of three years. The mayor can be re-elected but may not run for a fourth consecutive term.
The second highest official, Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja is also elected by popular vote. The Vice Mayor is first in line to succession if the office of the Mayor is vacant. The vice mayor is the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
The mayor's assistant's as required by the 1991 Local Government Code are: City Treasurer City Accountant City Budget Officer City Planning and Development Coordinator City Engineer City Health Officer City Civil Registrar City Administrator City Legal Officer City Veterinarian City Social Welfare and Development Officer City General Services Officer
As optional by the 1991 Local Government Code: City Architect City Information Officer City Agriculturist City Population Officer City Environment and Natural Resources Officer City Cooperatives Officer
Historical governments
Republic of Zamboanga The Republic of Zamboanga's declared sovereignty lasted from May 18, 1899 until November 16, 1899, wherein its revolutionary government and chosen President, Vicente Álvarez, who led the liberation of the Zamboangueños from the tenuous grip of the retreating Spanish military, along with his victorious troops, exercised de facto sovereignty over administrative functions and military control within their new country territory and was not subordinate or subject to any other government or authority in the Philippines.
Álvarez proclaimed his new Republic of Zamboanga had rule over the entire islands of Mindanao, Basilan, and Sulu - effectively the entire southern Philippines. His claim was grandiose. In reality, the republic's sovereignty extended only over the existing premises of ancient Zamboanga, which can be estimated to be about the same size as present-day Zamboanga City is.
Presidents of the Republic Mayor Took office Left office 1 Vicente Alvarez May 18, 1899 November 16, 18992 Isidro Midel November 16, 1899 March 19013 Mariano Arquiza March 1901 March 1903Arquiza was ousted by the Americans due to his inability to nab local murderer Eduardo Álvarez for killing 2 American miners.
Under Moro Province
In March 1903, Arquiza's government ended and was replaced by a new U.S. governor, also effectively ending the Republic of Zamboanga.
Zamboanga is made capital of consolidated Mindanao, Basilan, and Sulu Archipelago after abolition of the Republic. The Moro Province had 5 districts: Sulu, Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, and Davao.
City mayors
On recommendation of Governor John J. Pershing, the Legislative Council of the Moro Province passed on September 15, 1911, Act No. 272, converting the municipality of Zamboanga into a city with a commission form of government. Its municipal board consisted of a mayor and two commissioners.
On February 26, 1937, the City Charter of Zamboanga became effective and the new city government was inaugurated headed by a mayor appointed by the President of the Philippine Commonwealth.
With the passage of Republic Act No. 1210 on April 29, 1955, the position of mayor became elective and the post of vice-mayor was created.
Note: The first column consecutively numbers the individuals who have served as chief executive (either mayor or municipal president) of Zamboanga City, while the second column consecutively numbers the individuals who have served as city mayor.
Municipal presidents When the Department of Mindanao and Sulu replaced the Moro Province in 1914, the city was reverted to municipality status under the supervision of the province of Zamboanga.
Note: The first column consecutively numbers the individuals who have served as chief executive (either mayor or municipal president) of Zamboanga City, while the second column consecutively numbers the individuals who have served as municipal president.
# Municipal President Took office Left office Party Municipal Vice-President Term Era(2)1 Victoriano Tarrosa October 16, 1914 1916 Appointed Pedro Francisco - Insular Government32 Alfonso Ramos 1916 1919 Nacionalista Filomeno Arquiza 143 Crispin Atilano 1919 1922 Nacionalista Bernabe Midel 154 Gregorio Ledesma 1922 1925 Nacionalista Felipe Ramos 165 Felipe Ramos 1922 1925 Nacionalista Jose Sanson 1 1925 1928 2 1928 1931 Antonio Toribio 376 Antonio Toribio 1931 November 15, 1935 Nacionalista Juan Sta. Teresa 1 November 15, 1935 February 25, 1937The City Charter of Zamboanga promoted the municipality into a city and to be inaugurated on February 26, 1937. Commonwealth Abolished Leadership was transferred to the City Mayor when the new City Government was inaugurated.Please refer to the previous table117 Carlos Camins 1942 1945 Appointed None - Second Republic Abolished Leadership was transferred to the City Mayor when the City Government was restored upon the liberation of American and Filipino forces.Please refer to the previous table
Zamboanga City officials since 2007 2007–2010 Position Name Mayor Hon. Celso Lobregat Vice Mayor Hon. Manuel Jose M. Dalipe First District Representative Hon. Maria Isabelle C. Salazar Councilors Mariano, Charlie Jimenez, Cesar L. Cabato, Jaime U. Sadain, Melchor Rey K. Abarro, Ethelinda M. Lim, Rodolfo R. Valesco, Rogelio Jr L. Biel, Luis III R. Second District Representative Hon. Erico Basilio A. Fabian Councilors Iturralde, Cesar S. Elago, Juan Climaco P. Rodriguez, Edmundo S. Nuño, Lilia M. Natividad, Roel B. Guingona, Benjamin III E. Saavedra, Eduardo Jr T. Candido, Reynerio S.
2010–2013 Position Name Mayor Hon. Celso Lobregat Vice Mayor Hon. Cesar Iturralde First District Representative Hon. Maria Isabelle C. Salazar Councilors Cabato, Jaime U. Sadain, Melchor Rey K. Jimenez, Cesar L. Bayot, Rodolfo Valesco, Rogelio Jr L. Biel, Luis III R. Lim, Rodolfo R. Abubakar, Myra Paz V Second District Representative Hon. Erico Basilio A. Fabian Councilors Nuño, Lilia M. Guingona, Benjamin III Saavedra, Eduardo Jr Candido, Reyniero Agan, Rommel Ramos, Percival Elago, Vincent Paul Edding, Al- Jihan R.
2013–2016 Position Name Mayor Hon. Maria Isabelle C. Salazar Vice Mayor Hon. Cesar Iturralde First District Representative Hon. Celso Lobregat Councilors Mariano, Charlie Jimenez, Cesar Jr. L. Pareja, Josephine Sadain, Melchor Rey K. Bayot, Rodolfo Abubakar, Myra Paz Valesco, Rogelio Jr L. Biel, Luis III R. Second District Representative Hon. Lilia Macrohon-Nuño Councilors Elago, Vincent Paul Elago, Juan Climaco P. Alavar, Miguel III Ramos, Percival Natividad, Roel B. Guingona, Benjamin IV Saavedra, Eduardo Jr T. Agan, Rommel
2016–2019 Position Name Mayor Hon. Maria Isabelle C. Salazar Vice Mayor Hon. Cesar Iturralde First District Representative Hon. Celso L. Lobregat CouncilorsBayot, Rodolfo M. Pareja, Josephine Jimenez, Cesar M. Mariano, Charlie Atilano, Elbert Abubakar, Myra Paz V. Lim, Rodolfo R. Cabato, Marxander Jaime Second District Representative Hon. Manuel Jose Dalipe Councilors Elago, Juan Climaco P. Alavar, Miguel IIIAgan, RommelGuingona, Benjamin IVVillaflores, JimmyEdding, Al-Jihan R.Nuño, Lilibeth M.Arquiza, Teodyver A.
2019–2022 PositionNameMayorHon. Maria Isabelle Climaco-SalazarVice MayorHon. Rommel S. AganFirst DistrictRepresentativeHon. Cesar L. Jimenez, Jr.CouncilorsPareja, Josephine E.Atilano, ElbertOlaso, Khymer Adan T.Macrohon, Joselito A.Valesco, Rogelio Jr L.Jimenez, Cesar M.dela Cruz, Crisanto B.Died in office, 2021Omaga, El King K.Second DistrictRepresentativeHon. Manuel Jose M. DalipeCouncilorsDalipe, John M.Guingona, Benjamin IVElago, Juan Climaco P.Nuño, Lilibeth M.Alavar, Miguel III C.Edding, Al-Jihan R.Villaflores, Jimmy B.Elago, Vincent Paul A.Ex-officio CouncilorsABC PresidentHon. Jerry E. PerezSince June 30, 2013SK Federation PresidentHon. Cary John O. PiocSince 2018Representative of the Indigenous PeoplesHon. Tungkuh HanapiSince 2016
2022–2025 PositionNameMayor John M. DalipeVice Mayor Josephine ParejaFirst District Representative Councilor Second DistrictRepresentativeEx-officio CouncilorsABC President SK Federation PresidentRepresentative of the Indigenous Peoples
2022 Zamboanga City local elections Local elections were held in Zamboanga City on 9 May 2022, within the Philippine general election. The voters elected for the elective local posts in the city: the mayor, vice mayor, and eight councilors per district.
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