The League of Cities of the Philippines did not invite the 16 new cities, known as the League of 16, to its annual convention in Pagadian City last week.
The League of 16, however, did not mind the LCP’s snub saying that the group will soon learn to accept the new cities and the Supreme Court decision.
In a decision last February, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law converting into cities the municipalities of Baybay in Leyte; Bogo in Cebu; Catbalogan in Samar; Tandag in Surigao del Sur; Borongan in Eastern Samar; Tayabas in Quezon province; Lamitan in Basilan; 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; Carcar in Cebu; El Salvador in Misamis Oriental; and Naga in Cebu.
In 2008, it declared the same law unconstitutional, saying the municipalities had failed to meet the criteria set by law for declaring a locality a city. But in 2009, it reversed that decision, giving the nod to the 16 towns’ cityhood. In 2010, the tribunal reversed itself again.
In a report, Pagadian City mayor Samuel Co admitted that the League of 16 members were not invited to the LCP annual convention as the LCP still has a pending petition in the Supreme Court asking it to void the law creating the new cities.
Thus, Co said, the League of 16 is considered by the LCP as made up of municipalities still.
Mati City mayor Michelle Rabat, a League of 16 member, meanwhile took in stride LCP’s snobbing of the new cities.
“It’s expected. The LCP came out with a statement that it still intends to fight us. What’s important to Mati is that the city mayors of Southern Mindanao have accepted and recognized us,” Rabat said.
The conversion of the 16 new cities has affected the internal revenue allotment of the existing cities. Mayor Co said their IRA is reduced by P50 million due to the League of 16. This is, however, small compared to Davao City’s P360 million reduction.
Davao City mayor Sara Duterte is, however, not complaining. She said they just have to look for other means and not entirely depend on their IRA share.
“We have to respect the Supreme Court. The Department of Budget Management has already acknowledged the entry judgment of the Supreme Court and correspondingly advised cities of the reduction (of IRA),” Duterte said.
This opinion is shared by Valenzuela City mayor Sherwin Gatchalian who is also optimistic that league members would soon recognize the new cities.
“We have filed a motion for reconsideration, yes, but we are not that optimistic,” Gatchalian was quoted as saying.
“The LCP would not look good if it will not follow the Supreme Court, if it will not follow the law,” he added.
