DRAFT

INTERNAL RULES OF THE 18TH SANGGUNIAN

INTERNAL RESOLUTION NO. ___

Series of 2016

RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE INTERNAL RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE 18th

SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF THE CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS

--------------------------------------------------------------------Joint Sponsorship

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WHEREAS , Section 50(a) of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government
Code of 1991, states that on the first regular session following the election of its members and
within ninety (90) days thereafter, the Sanggunian concerned shall adopt or update its existing
rules of procedure;

WHEREAS, the Internal Rules of Procedure of the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall govern the
organization of the Sanggunian, election of its officers, creation of committees, the order and
calendar of business for each session, the legislative process, parliamentary procedures which
include the conduct of members during sessions, and discipline of members for disorderly
behavior and absences without justifiable cause;

WHEREAS, the adoption of the Internal Rules of Procedure shall ensure orderly sessions and
enhance quality legislation in the Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Santos;

NOW, THEREFORE , on motion of City Councilor(s) __________________ for joint

sponsorship, duly seconded by City Councilor(s) ___________________________, be it

RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, to adopt the following Internal Rules of Procedure of the
18th Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of General Santos, viz.:

RULE I

TITLE AND COVERAGE

Section 1. Title and Coverage. The following Rules are hereby adopted to be known as the
Internal Rules of Procedure of the 18th Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of General
Santos, to govern the organization of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the election of its officers,
creation of Committees, the Order of Business for each session, the legislative process,
parliamentary procedures which include the conduct of Members during sessions, discipline of
Members for disorderly behavior, and absences without justifiable cause.

RULE II

INAUGURAL SESSION AND

ORGANIZATION OF THE SANGGUNIAN

Section 2. Inaugural Session of the Sanggunian. The members of the Sanggunian, at the
initiative of the Vice-Mayor, shall meet in inaugural on any office day at the place designated for
the holding of their session and proceed to the declaration, thru speeches, of their individual
legislative agenda. During that session, it shall pass a resolution setting the day, time and place
of its regular sessions.

Section 3. Presiding over the Inaugural Session. The City Vice-Mayor, as Presiding Officer,
shall call the session to order, call the roll of the members of the Sanggunian, and preserve
order and decorum.

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Section 4. Adoption of Internal Rules of Procedure. On the first regular session, there
being a quorum, the Sanggunian shall proceed to the adoption of its new Internal Rules of
Procedure if one is already ready for discussion and passage or if not, to adopt the Internal
Rules of Procedure of the immediately preceding Sanggunian to govern its proceedings until the
approval and adoption of the rules of the current Sanggunian, which adoption in no case shall
exceed ninety (90) days following their first regular session. The Sanggunian shall also fix the
day, time, and place of its regular sessions.
Section 5. Election of Officers and Chairpersons of Regular Committees . After the
adoption or update of its existing Internal Rules of Procedure, the Sanggunian shall proceed to
the election of officers and chairpersons of regular committees who shall be elected by a
majority of the members present. Every member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod except the
Presiding Officer must be a Chairperson of at least one committee.

RULE III

COMPOSITION AND OFFICERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

Section 6. The Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Santos. The Sangguniang

Panlungsod of General Santos, hereinafter referred to as the Sanggunian, shall be composed

of the City Vice-Mayor as the regular Presiding Officer, twelve (12) Regular Members, the
President of the City Chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay, the President of the Pederasyon ng
mga Sangguniang Kabataan, and the Indigenous Peoples mandatory representative pursuant
to RA 8371 (IPRA) and City Ordinance No. 8, Series of 2014, as Ex-Officio Members and

sectoral representatives as may be provided by law. 1

Section 7. Elective Officers. There shall be a President Pro-Tempore and Chairpersons of

regular Committees in the Sanggunian to be elected among themselves in the manner provided
in Rule II hereof.

Section 8. Manner of Elections of Officers; Appointment of Vice-Chair & Members of

Committee. The President Pro-Tempore and Chairpersons of regular Committees of the
Sanggunian shall be elected from among the Members thereof either by raising of hand, viva
voce or by secret ballot by a majority of the members present. In case of a tie, the Presiding
Officer has the right to cast his/her vote to break the tie.

The Chairperson of the committee shall appoint his/her Vice-Chairperson and not more than
three (3) members of the regular Committees.

Section 9. Term of Office. The term of office of the President Pro-Tempore and the
Chairpersons and members of Regular Committees shall be one (1) year from their election or
appointment.

RULE IV

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

Section 10. Every Member shall attend all sessions of the Sangguniang unless he or

she is prevented from doing so by reason of sickness or other unavoidable circumstances due
to official or authorized business or travel: Provided, That, previous notice thereto shall be sent
to the Sanggunian through the Presiding Officer or the Secretary.

It shall also be the duty of every member to come on time on all sessions. Whenever a member
arrives after the roll call, he/she shall be marked as late and his/her time of arrival shall be
recorded by the Secretary. 2

Section 11. Every Member is required to vote on every question or proposed measure being
voted upon by the Sanggunian. Abstentions may only be allowed if it can be shown that

Section 1, IR No. 1, Series of 2015.

Section 2, IR No. 1, Series of 2015.

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the Member concerned has a personal or pecuniary interest, either directly or indirectly, on the
matter being acted upon by the Sanggunian.

Section 12. Every Member shall observe proper deportment or decorum during sessions.

Section 13. Every Member must wear appropriate business attire during Regular or Special
sessions of the Sanggunian.

RULE V

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF OFFICERS

Section 14. The City Vice-Mayor. The City Vice Mayor shall be the Presiding Officer of the
Sanggunian who shall exercise and perform the following powers, duties and functions:

(a.) To approve the Order of Business of all sessions of the Sanggunian;

(b.)
To preside over the sessions of the Sanggunian including executive sessions, and to
sign to attest to the passage all ordinances and resolutions enacted and passed during such
sessions within reasonable time but not to exceed ten (10) days, reckoned from the date of
receipt thereof from the Office of the Secretary to the Sanggunian;

(c.)
Call the Sanggunian session to order and where a quorum exists, to order the reading of
the Minutes of the previous session(s) and after the Sanggunian shall have acted on the said
minutes, to proceed, in accordance with these rules, the discussion and disposition of the
matters indicated in the Order of Business;

(d.)
To exact from all the Members present during the session proper deportment and
decorum;

(e.) To enforce and compel compliance with the rules, resolutions and ordinances

affecting the internal affairs of the Sanggunian; (f.) To decide all points of order;

(g.)
To maintain order during sessions and render a ruling on questions of order, subject to
appeal by the Member concerned to the Sanggunian for final decision;

(h.) To sign all ordinances, resolutions (redundant), memorials, subpoena issued by or upon
order

of the Sanggunian, and all the legislative documents requiring his/her signature (i.) To declare
recess during sessions anytime he/she deems it necessary: Provided,

That, the duration of the recess is not more than fifteen (15) minutes except in cases stated in
Rule XII hereof;

(j.)
To declare the session adjourned to some other date, time and place in cases of
extreme emergencies, serious and uncontrollable disorder, public disturbances and other
unavoidable circumstances; (clarification: who determines existence of these conditions)

(k.)
To make brief remarks, comments or clarificatory questions on any measure pending
deliberation by the Sanggunian: Provided, That he/she shall not express

himself/herself either for or against the said measure or question; (l.) To vote but only to break a
tie;

(m.) To relinquish the chair to any member of the Sanggunian who shall act as temporary
Presiding Officer but only if he/she is going out of the session hall for whatever reasons;

(n.)
To appoint, with the approval of the majority of all the Members, Chairpersons and
Members of ad-hoc Committee which may be created or authorized by the Sanggunian;

(o.)
For the maintenance of the orderly procedure, may take such appropriate measures to
restore order by appointing any city officer or employee to act as Sergeant-at-Arms, or call the
assistance of the police agencies;

(p.)
Perform the supervisory and administrative powers and functions attached to the
position of the City Vice-Mayor as the head of office of an co-equal branch in the local
government unit, as such, shall:

(i.)
To receive all legislative and administrative matters, proposals, request, letters and
communications and refer or forward the same to appropriate Committee, office, or division in
the Sanggunian for corresponding action or information;

(ii.)
Unless otherwise delegated, sign all warrants drawn on the city treasury, payrolls,
purchase request and request for obligation, approve disbursement

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vouchers relating thereto and purchase orders covering the same for expenditures
appropriated for the operation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod; (iii.) Appoint permanent, coterminus, casual, job-order employees, and SergeantAt-Arms of the Sangguniang Panlungsod; and

(iv.)
To represent the Sanggunian, or through authorized representative, to any special
bodies as may be allowed by law or meetings requiring the presence or attendance of the
department head.

(q.)
Establish an efficient information management system in the sanggunian utilizing among
others, modern digital technology, that can:

Drastically minimize the use of office supplies, personnel and other similar resources in the
conduct of plenary sessions and hearings and preparation of legislative documents;

Facilitate prompt access to and dissemination of data and information needed in legislation;
Provide a simplified and comprehensive process of gathering, recording, storage and retrieval of
data and information relating to records, activities and proceedings of the Sanggunian;

Sustain a public information program that will provide accessible, timely and accurate
information relating to the Sanggunian, its members and officers, its
Committees and its legislative concerns inclusive of facilitating, as far as practicable, broadcast
coverage of plenary and committee proceedings.
(r.)
Exercise general supervision over all committees and, in furtherance thereof, conduct
regular meetings with the chairpersons of all committees to set legislative targets, review
performance in the attainment of targets, ensure that the priority legislative measures of
committees are attuned to the Executive-Legislative Agenda or the pressing needs of the City,
and resolve such other issues and concerns that affect the operations and performance of the
committees.

Section 15. President Pro-Tempore. There shall be a President Pro- Tempore to be elected
from among the members of the Sanggunian who shall exercise and discharge the following
powers, duties and functions:

(a.) To assist the City Vice-Mayor in the performance of his/her administrative duties as

Presiding Officer of the Sanggunian;

(b.) Be an ex-officio member of all Regular Committees of the Sanggunian; and

(c.)
To perform such other duties the Presiding Officer may assign as the exigencies of
service may require.

RULE VI

THE REGULAR COMMITTEES

Section 16. The Regular Committees of the Sanggunian. 3 - The following Regular
Committees shall be formed, with each composed of not less than three (3) but not more than

(5) regular members, including its Chair and Vice-chair, with the duties, powers and general
jurisdiction specified hereunder:

(1.)
Committee on Agriculture. - All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with,
the agricultural production and development; agricultural inputs and facilities; food production,
development of agri-business enterprises, and all other matters relating to livestock
development and quarantine of livestock.

(2.)
Committee on Appointments and Government Reorganization. - All matters
involving the appointments of all City Government employees from Department Heads to Rank
and File personnel, including organizational structures and functions, staffing patterns,
reorganization of offices, and human resource development policies.

(3.)
Committee on Barangay Affairs . - All matters or questions pertaining to or connected
with, the creation, division or merger of barangay or barangays, or abolition, alteration or
relocation of boundaries thereof, issues, concerns, and

Section 2, IR No. 1, Series of 2015.

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problems involving and affecting the Barangay constituents, community organizations, and all
matters pertaining to barangay government affairs.

(4.) Committee on Blue Ribbon, Human Rights and Anti-Graft. - All matters that are

referred to it by the Sanggunian for investigation or inquiry designed to acquire information in

aid of legislation, complaints and charges for disorderly conduct affecting the Sangguniang
Panlungsod and its members, propose on how to hear administrative cases filed against
elective barangay officials, protection and promotion of human rights and interests, prevention
of human rights violations, and all matters affecting human rights, anti-graft and corruption and
moral recovery.

(5.)
Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, Appropriations. [Economic Enterprises.]
- All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with, taxes,

fees, charges, and loans, generation of other sources and forms of revenue including the
revision or codification of revenue and real property tax codes, benefits and compensation of
city personnel, budget or allocation of funds for projects, programs, subsidies, grants,
assistance and other services, and all matters relating to generation of revenue and public
expenditures and, solid and

liquid waste management system and operation and maintenance of sanitary landfill. [ All
matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with the establishment, maintenance,
operation and management of City Public Market, General Santos City Bulaong Terminal,
General Santos City Hospital, City Slaughterhouse, public cemetery, and such other city
economic enterprises as the law may provide.]

(6.)
Committee on City Land Use, Urban Planning and Development. - All matters or
questions pertaining to, or connected with the uses, reclassification, planning and zoning of
lands, comprehensive development plan, housing programs, subdivision development and
approval of subdivision plans.

(7.)
Committee on Climate Change Adaptation and Environment. - All matters or
questions pertaining to, or connected with the policies, programs, strategies, technologies and
other innovations addressing global warming and climate change impacts including but not
limited to, climate risk management to reduce vulnerability associated with climate sensitive
areas and sectors, and adaptation and mitigation or control of greenhouse gas emissions to
enhance resilience and to promote sustainable development . All matters or questions
pertaining to, or connected with the environmental conservation and protection, measures
geared towards protection against air, land and water pollution; garbage collection, segregation
and disposal, improvement and establishment; Preservation and maintenance of city parks,
plazas and playgrounds; tree planting master plan and all other matters related to environment
and natural resources.

(8.)
Committee on Consumer Welfare. - All matters or questions pertaining to, or
connected with the fundamental rights of consumers, information and literature pertaining to
consumers' rights, business malpractices and complaints on the delivery of goods and services

to consumers, linkage with local or national government agencies and consumer protection
groups to promote consumers rights, and all other matters related to consumers' welfare.

(9.)
Committee on Cooperatives, Livelihood, People Empowerment and Participation. All matters or questions pertaining to or connected with, the

cooperative organizations, linkage and development; incentives and support to cooperatives,

and all matters affecting the cooperative and livelihood development programs of the
government. All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with the criteria and
procedures for accreditation, maintenance and withdrawal of accreditation of Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs), Peoples Organizations (POs), and Private Sector (PS), government joint
undertaking or partnership with support or grant to NGOs, POs or PS, participation of NGO, PO
or PS in local governance and development, and all other matters affecting NGOs, POs or PS.

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(10.) Committee on Education. - All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with
formal, non-formal, technical and vocational education, educational facilities; promotion of
culture. The arts and sciences; operation of education institutions, both private and public, and
establishment and maintenance of public libraries.

(11.) Committee on Fisheries, Marine Life and Aquatic Resources. - All matters or

questions pertaining to, or connected with, the fishery development. marine life and aquatic
resources; conservation and protection of marine life, control and regulation of the use of
foreshore areas and all other matters related to fisheries, marine life and aquatic resources.

(12.) Committee on Games and Amusements. - All matters or questions pertaining to

or connected with the establishment, operation or maintenance of amusement places and other
areas of entertainment, regulation on the holding of events, concerts or similar entertainment
activities, measures that affect the regulation of games and amusements including but not
limited to the promotion or holding of cockfights, boxing, basketball tournaments and other kinds
of games and amusements, and all other matters related to games and amusements.

(13.) Committee on Gender Equality and Women [Family and Children and Social
Services.] - All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with laws and

programs on gender and development; women's rights and welfare, protection and

development of women's programs and organizations, moral values and social responsibilities
of women, and equality before the law of women and men . [and parents, programs that
will enhance the dignity of the family and preservation of good Filipino family traditions,
laws, ordinances, programs measures and policies that protect the rights of children;
moral values and social responsibilities of children, programs and project uplifting the
dignity image and socio-economic standing of street-children, linkages with other
government agencies and non-governmental organizations on matters concerning the
welfare of children, and all other matters concerning gender, women, family and children.
All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with, the protection or promotion of
rights and privileges of senior citizens/elderly, differently-abled persons and other
marginalized groups, and all other matters related to community social welfare programs
undertakings and projects of the City.]

(14.) Committee on Health and Sanitation. - All matters or questions pertaining to, or
connected with health, sanitation or hygiene; cleanliness of the community, measures related to
operation, management and maintenance of hospitals, health centers, nutrition, health
programs and all matters related to health and sanitation.

(15.) Committee on Labor. - All matters or questions pertaining to or connected with the

labor and employment issues, concerns and problems, promotion and enhancement of good
relationship between labor and capital and other matters pertaining to labor.

(16.) Committee on Laws, Rules and Review of Barangay Ordinances, Executive Orders.
[and International Relations] . - All matters or questions pertaining to or

connected with the items in the Order of Business, revision and interpretation of the
Sanggunian Internal Rules of Procedures, committees and their jurisdiction; privileges of the
members of the Sanggunian; substance and form of proposed and

recommended ordinances or resolutions prior to presentation to the plenary, ensure that all
ordinances and resolutions prior to their enactment or adoption are within the limits of the laws
of the land and do not violate any human civil and legal rights. All matters or questions
pertaining to or connected with the review of all barangay ordinances and executive orders
issued by the Punong Barangay to

ensure that the act of Sangguniang Barangay or Punong Barangay is within the scope of their
prescribed powers and functions. [All matters concerning relations and agreements with
international sister cities, other cities and countries of the world in the field of trade,
commerce and industry, tourism, education, science and technology, other areas which
are mutually beneficial

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for both parties, foreign conferences, foreign travels, and official visits by foreign heads
and dignitaries.]

(17.) Committee on Local Government Unit and Proprietary Real Properties . - All matters
or questions pertaining to or connected with management, procurement and maintenance of all
public and proprietary properties of the city government; policy formation of the economical,
efficient and effective administration and usage of all public and proprietary properties of the
government; accountability of public officials and employees on the maintenance and usage of
government properties; management, administration and disposition of all lands of public
domain as provided for in RA 9649 otherwise known as an Act amending RA 5412, as
amended, or the Charter of the City of General Santos; sale or lease of public lands, forest
lands, pasture or grazing lands and foreshore areas; all other matters related to public and
proprietary properties of the city government.

(18.) Committee on Muslim Affairs [and Indigenous Peoples.] - All matters or

questions pertaining to, or connected with the taking care of the concerns and welfare of the
Filipino Muslims. [Indigenous Peoples and other cultural communities.]

(19.) Committee on Public Affairs, and Information. - All matters or questions pertaining to or
connected with the relationship of the Sangguniang Panlungsod with other government offices
and agencies and the general public; dissemination of information regarding official activities of
the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

(20.) Committee on Public Order and Safety. - All matters or questions pertaining to. or
connected with, the maintenance of peace and order in the city; police. Jail management and
fire department matters; prevention and abatement of public nuisance; enforcement of laws and
ordinances to maintain peace and order: training programs to PNP members, Barangay Tanods
and other support groups: recognition and incentives to deserving PNP members. Barangay
Tanods and other law enforcers; safety measures to mitigate the disastrous effects of natural or
man-made calamities: and all other matters related to public order and safety.

(21.) Committee on Public Utilities. - All matters or questions pertaining to or connected with,
the operation of public service utilities such as power, water, communication, and other public
utilities: proposals for their continued existence. cancellation of franchise or permits, expansion
and/or improvements: rates imposed on charges and fees on goods or services delivered by
public utilities: violations that may have been committed by public service utilities; and all other
matters related to public service utilities.

(22.) Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure. - All matters or questions pertaining to,
or connected with, the construction, maintenance, improvement and repair of roads, bridges,
public buildings and structures and other government infrastructure projects: drainage and
sewerage system and master plan: regulations pertaining to construction of buildings and other
structures and observance of the National Building Code, Fire Code and all other matters
related to public works and infrastructure.

(23.) Committee on Recognizance. All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with,
the rules, procedures, guidelines, duties and functions of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in the
effective and efficient implementation of R.A. 10389 or the Recognizance Act. 4

(24.) Committee on Tourism, Culture and the Arts. - All matters or questions pertaining to. or
connected with, establishment and maintenance of museum, historical and heritage sites;
policies and programs for the preservation of historical sites and cultural heritage: plans and
programs of city festivals and other socio-cultural activities in the city: naming or renaming of
barangays, streets or public structures; coordination with hotels, restaurants, homestay sites
and resorts to ensure that they maintain standards as set forth by the Department of Tourism;

IR No. 2, Series of 2015.

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development of city's natural resources into tourist attractions: and all matters related to the
promotion of tourism, culture and the arts.

(25.) Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry, and ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES - All
matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with, the

establishment, operation, promotion and development of all kinds of trade and industry;
measures that affect trade commerce and industry; incentives to promote
trade, commerce and industry: and all other matters related to trade, commerce and industry.
All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with the establishment,
maintenance, operation and management of City Public Market, General Santos City
Bulaong Terminal, Dr. Jorge Royeca Hospital, City Slaughterhouse, public cemetery, and
such other city economic enterprises as the law may provide.

(26.) Committee on Transportation. - All matters or questions pertaining to or connected with

establishment and operation of public or private terminals and private garage; application and
issuance of motorized tricycle franchise: vehicular traffic and closure of roads, streets and
alleys; vehicular traffic: establishment of street name signage: conduct and operation of public
and private conveyances/vehicles: transportation and communication facilities: establishment of
motorized tricycle routes: operation of public transportation and concerns of operators and
drivers associations, and all other matters related to transportation.

(27.) Committee on Urban Poor Affairs. - All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected
with, government policies, programs and projects affecting the urban poor: policies. measures,
programs and projects that best respond to the developmental needs, concerns, and issues
affecting the urban poor, e.g. livelihood projects, skills training and similar undertakings; delivery
of services by the City Offices directly concerned with the programs affecting the urban poor:
programs, projects and strategies affecting the urban poor sector's effective participation in the
development directions of the city: coordination with local, regional and national offices on areas
and matters affecting the urban poor sector; policies and guidelines pertaining to the housing
program for the urban poor; and all other matters affecting the affairs of the urban poor.

(28.) Committee on Youth Affairs, Sports Development and Physical Fitness. - All matters
or questions pertaining to or connected with, the youth welfare and development, youth
organizations promotion and development of sports and physical fitness programs and
activities.

Proposed

Additional New Committees:

Committee on Children and Family Relations. All matters or questions pertaining to, or
connected with, laws ordinances, programs, measures and policies that protect the rights of

children; moral values and social responsibilities of children, programs and projects uplifting the
dignity, image and socio-economic standing of street-children, linkages with other government
agencies and non-governmental organizations on matters concerning the welfare of children;
programs on moral values and social responsibilities of women and parents, programs that will
enhance the dignity of the family and preservation of good Filipino family traditions, and all other
matters, undertakings and projects related to children and family relations of the City.

Committee on the Elderly, Differently-Abled Persons and Social Services. All matters or
questions pertaining to, or connected with laws and programs on the protection or promotion of
rights and privileges of senior citizens/elderly, differently-abled persons and other marginalized
groups, and all other matters related to the elderly and differently-abled persons projects of the
City.

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Committee on Indigenous Peoples. - All matters or questions pertaining to, or connected with
the concerns and welfare of the Indigenous Peoples and other cultural communities in the City.

Committee on International Relations. All matters concerning relations and agreements

with international sister cities, other cities and countries of the world in the field of trade,
commerce and industry, tourism, education, science and technology, other areas which are
mutually beneficial for both parties, foreign conferences, foreign travels, and official visits by
foreign heads and dignitaries.

Section 17. Reorganization & Creation of Special and Ad-Hoc Committee. - The following
rules shall be observed in the reorganization and creation of Committees or Ad-Hoc
Committees:

(a.)
A regular or standing Committee may be created or re-organized by a majority vote of all
the Members of the Sanggunian.

(b.)
Special or Ad-Hoc Committees may be created upon the initiative of the Presiding
Officer through a motion by any member, subject however, to the affirmative vote of the majority
of the Members present, there being a quorum.

Section 18. Ex-Officio Membership in the regular Committees . The President ProTempore and the Chairperson of the Committee on Laws and Rules shall be ex-officio members
of all Regular Committees.

Section 19. Referral of a Measure to two (2) Committees. Although a measure covers
subject matters falling within the general jurisdiction of a Committee, the Presiding Officer shall
refer it to another Committee if that measure involves appropriation of funds or embodying tax
or revenue proposals. At this instance, the measure shall be referred also to the Committee on
Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations for the appropriation or tax or revenue aspect.
The first Committee mentioned shall be the primary committee, mainly responsible to submit a
report to the Sanggunian incorporating therein the appropriate recommendations of the
secondary committee which is the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and
Appropriations.

Section 20. Restrictions on the Composition & Membership in the Committee. -

The following rules shall be observed on the composition and membership in the Committees:

(a.) The Presiding Officer shall not be a member of any regular Committee. However,

he/she may be designated by the Sanggunian as Chairperson of Ad-Hoc or Special Committee

or may preside over the Committee En Banc: Provided,That the
purpose or task for which the Ad-Hoc or Special Committee is created does not involve any
legislative matters and/or policy-making.

(b.)
No person other than Members of the Sanggunian shall be made a Member of any
regular committee.

(c.)
No Member shall participate in the Committees deliberations if he/she has a direct or
indirect personal or pecuniary interest on the matter being handled by that Committee.

Section 21. Committee En Banc. The Sanggunian may constitute itself into a Committee
En Banc on motion of any member to act upon a proposed ordinance, resolution or

other measure before it or when, referred by the Committee on Blue Ribbon and upon the
approval of the majority of the Sanggunian present, there being a quorum, that it will hear en
banc the administrative cases against elective barangay officials.

The Sanggunian may further constitute itself into a Committee En Banc on motion of any
member to act upon the following:

(1.)
Proposed ordinance, resolution or other measure pertaining to the update and
amendment of Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2013, otherwise known as the Code of Ordinances
of the City of General Santos as well as follow up actions on the policy recommendations put
forward during the previous codification en banc hearings;

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(2.)
Proposed ordinance, resolution or other measure of vital importance referred directly to
the Committee En Banc;

(3.)
Proposed ordinance, resolution or other measure referred by any Committee to the
Committee En Banc in session assembled.

When the Sanggunian constitutes itself into a Committee En Banc it functions as one committee
acting upon a proposed ordinance or resolution and conducting its proceedings like a Regular
Committee with its membership composed of all the members of the Sanggunian. 5

RULE VII

THE SECRETARY TO THE SANGGUNIAN

Section 22. The Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The Secretary to the
Sanggunian shall take charge of the Office of the Secretary to the Sanggunian, and shall:

(a.) Attend sessions of the Sanggunian and keep a journal of its proceedings;

(b.) Keep the seal of the City Government of General Santos and affix the same with
his/her signature to all ordinances, resolutions, and other official acts of the

Sanggunian and present the same to the presiding officer for his/her signature;
(c.) Forward to the City Mayor for approval, copies of ordinances enacted by the

Sanggunian and duly certified to by the Presiding Officer, in the manner provided in
Section 54 of R.A. 7160;

(d.) Forward to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, through the Presiding Officer, copies of
duly approved barangay ordinances, in the manner provided under Section 57 of

R.A. 7160;
(e.) Furnish, upon request by any interested party, certified copies of records of public
character in his/her custody upon payment to the City Treasurer of fees as
prescribed under the Revenue Code of the City;
(f.)

Record in a book kept for the purpose, all ordinances and resolutions enacted or

adopted by the Sanggunian, with the dates of passage and publication thereof;
(g.) Keep his/her office and all non-confidential records therein open to the public

during the usual business hours;

(h.) Translate into the dialect used by the majority of the inhabitants of the City all
ordinances and the resolutions approving the local development plan and public
investment program immediately after their approval, and cause the publication of
the same together with the original version;
(i.)

Cause the posting of ordinance or the resolution approving the local development

plan and public investment program in the manner provided under Section 59 of
R.A. 7160.
(j.)

Publish the main features of the ordinance or the resolution approving the local

development plan and public investment program duly enacted or adopted shall, in
addition to being posted, once in a newspaper of general circulation within general
santos city.
(k.) Take custody of the local archives and, where applicable, the local library and
annually account for the same;
(l.)

Transmit to the proper committee all matters referred to it by the Sanggunian;

(m.) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may

be prescribed by law or ordinance relative to his/her position.

Rule VIII

THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Section 23. The Sergeant- At- Arms. There shall be a Sergeant-At-Arms in the Sanggunian
who shall be appointed by the Presiding Officer upon recommendation of majority

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of the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod who shall serve until sooner removed for
cause.

Section 24. Duties and Powers of Sergeant-At-Arms. The Sergeant-At-Arms shall exercise
and perform the following powers and duties:

(a.) To be personally present in all session of the Sanggunian, unless excused by the
Presiding Officer, and to be present, personally or through his/her subordinates, in

all meeting of the committees;

(b.) To strictly enforce the rules relating to the admission to the session hall, the

galleries, corridors, and premises of the Sanggunian building;

(c.) To be responsible for the faithful and proper behavior and performance of

employees under him/her;

(d.) To execute the order of the Sanggunian and serve all processes issued by

authority thereof or the Presiding Officer;

(e.) To be responsible for the security and maintenance of order during the session of

the Sanggunian under the direction of the Presiding Officer, during the meeting of
any of the committees under the direction of the Chairperson thereof; and in the

antechamber, corridors and offices of the Sanggunian, whether in session or not,

under the direction of the Presiding Officer;

(f.)

To be responsible for the personal safety of the members of the Sanggunian while

in Sanggunian premises or, as the Presiding Officer may direct, in any other place;

and

(g.) To be responsible for the security of the properties of the Sanggunian.

RULE IX

MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

Section 25. Calling a Committee Meeting. A Committee meeting may be called by

the Chair, or by the Vice-Chair in the absence or physical incapacity of the Chair, or by the
majority of the members of the Committee: Provided, that written notice is duly served to all
Members of the Committee and all invitees at least two (2) days before the scheduled date of
meeting or hearing.

Section 26. Required Number of Members to do Business. The presence of the Chair or
the Vice-Chair and at least a member of the committee shall constitute a quorum to do
business. (Clarification: What constitutes quorum? In relation to Section 8, par. 2 of Rule
III)

The presence of ex-officio members may be considered in determining the existence of a

quorum.

Section 27. Unexplained Absences. Unexplained absences for five (5) successive
Committee meetings or hearing by the Chair, Vice-Chair, or members thereof shall operate to
relinquish regular membership in the Committee.

Section 28. Vacancy. In case a vacancy exists in a Committee membership, the same shall
be filled in by a majority vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, or by general consent in a
session, there being a quorum.

Section 29. Mandatory Holding of Public Hearing. No tax ordinance or revenue measure
and zoning ordinance shall be enacted by the Sanggunian in the absence of a public hearing
duly conducted by the committee concerned.

Section 30. Appearance of any Government Employee in Committee Meetings.

Any government employee may be called to appear before the Committee meetings upon
official invitation or request by the Committee Chair. Communications shall be coursed through
the Head of the office where the employee belongs. The communication shall specify the
reason for such appearance or the assistance needed, as the case may be.

Section 31. Mandatory presence of the author/sponsor of a proposed measure in the

public/committee hearing or meeting. The author or sponsor of a proposed resolution

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or ordinance subject of a Committee/public hearing or meeting is required to attend the said

hearing or meeting upon notice. The attendance of the author(s) or sponsor(s) shall not be
accounted to constitute a quorum to do business in the Committee hearing, unless he or she is
a member of this Committee.

Section 32. Venue of public/committee hearing or meeting. Public/Committee

hearings or meetings may be held at the Legislative Building, Sangguniang Panlungsod,
General Santos City. However, a Committee Chairperson, if he so desires and in the
interest of the general welfare, may conduct public/committee hearing or meeting in any
barangay hall of General Santos.

RULE X

COMMITTEE REPORT

Section 32. The Committee Meeting and Report. The Committee shall hold meeting or
hearing to discuss, decide and submit report on all matters referred or transmitted to them by
the Sanggunian during session, through the Secretary.

Section 33. Who will Render Committee Report. Committee reports shall be rendered by its
Chair, unless he/she dissents with the majority decision. In his/her absence, the Vice-Chair shall
take his/her place. If neither of them is present, any Committee member concurring with the
report and duly designated by the said Committee shall render the report.

Section 34. Presumptive Concurrence of Committee Member. A regular member of a

Committee shall be presumed to have concurred in the report and shall be precluded from
opposing the same on the floor unless he/she enters his/her objection thereto in open session
or file with the Secretary of the Sanggunian his/her dissenting vote before the Committee
renders its report.

Section 35. Joint Committee or Multiple Committee Report. - When a measure is referred to
two or more Committees, the Committees concerned may submit a joint Committee Report or
Multi-Committee Report as the case may be, or respective separate report thereon.

Section 36. Discharge of Committee. - A Committee which failed to submit a Committee

Report within a reasonable time may be discharged by the Sanggunian from further
consideration of the measure or question referred to it. Upon motion by any Member, the said
measure can be re-assigned to another Committee or submit to the Sanggunian for proper
disposition.

Section 37. Calendaring a Proposed Measure for Second Reading and Archival.

After the Committee has rendered its Report and recommended favorably the enactment or
passage of the proposed ordinance or resolution it has reported out, a copy of the proposed
ordinance or resolution shall be furnished the Presiding Officer who shall calendar it for Second

Reading. Before the said proposed ordinance or resolution is sponsored on the floor, electronic
copy thereof shall be furnished every Sanggunian member by the Committee Chair concerned.

If the reporting Committees recommendation is for the Sanggunian to defer or not to take action
and that recommendation has been adopted by the Body, the proposed measure remains
shelved in the Committee. If the reporting Committees recommendation is for the Sanggunian
to file the proposed measure away and that recommendation has been adopted, then it is filed
away and that the proposal shall be filed in the archive of the Sanggunian.

RULE XI

REGULAR AND SPECIAL SESSIONS

Section 38. Date, Time and Venue of Regular Session. There shall be Regular Session of
the Sanggunian every Tuesday of the week at 9:00 oclock in the morning, to be

held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, Legislative Building, General Santos City. In
case the date of Regular Session falls on a holiday, it shall be held on any day of the same
week.

A regular session may be held on another date or place upon concurrence or approval of the
majority of all the Members present.

Section 39. Special Session. When public interest so demands, Special sessions may be
called by the City Vice-Mayor or by a majority of all the Members, or upon the request of the
City Mayor. 6

Section 40. Open and Closed- Door Session. All sessions shall be open to the public unless
a closed- door session is ordered by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Members present,
there being a quorum, for public interest or for reasons of security, decency, or morality.

Section 41. Prohibition on Holding of Two (2) Sessions in a Single Day. - No two

(2) sessions, whether regular or special, may be held in a single day.

Section 42. Adjournment of Session. - An adjourned session may be held:

(a.)
Through the initiative of the Presiding Officer, by using the assumed motion; or by a
majority of the Members present in a session where there is no quorum, wherein they may
decide to adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of the absent Members in order to
obtain the necessary quorum.

(b.)
By a majority vote of the Members present in any Regular or Special Session, there
being a quorum, in order to finish very important business which needs immediate action.

(c.)
By any Member, duly seconded, there being a quorum and there being no more
business to take up.

RULE XII

QUORUM

Section 43. Roll Call and Quorum. Eight (8) Members of the Sanggunian who have been
elected and qualified shall constitute a quorum to transact official business. Should a question of
quorum be raised during a Session, the Presiding Officer shall immediately proceed to call the
roll of the Members and thereafter announce the results.

In the absence of a quorum, the Presiding Officer may declare a recess of not more than one
(1) hour thirty (30) minutes and wait for other Members to come, or a majority of the Members
present may adjourn from hour to hour or day to day and may compel the immediate attendance
of any Member absent without justifiable cause by designating a Member of the Sanggunian, to
be assisted by member or members of the police force, to arrest the absent Member and
present him/her at the Session Hall.

If there is still no quorum despite the enforcement of the above remedial measures, no business
shall be transacted. The Presiding Officer motu propio, or upon proper motion duly
approved by the Members present, shall then declare the Session adjourned for lack of quorum.

Section 44. Persons who have been Elected and Qualified. Other interpretations

to the contrary notwithstanding, the term elected and qualified shall be construed to include
the majority of not only the regular members but also the ex-officio Members of the Sanggunian.

Should be deleted being redundant in relation to Section 6, Rule III.

Section 45. No Quorum During the Session which was Started with a Quorum.

During a session which was started with a quorum and a question on the lack of quorum is
raised by any Member, the Presiding Officer shall immediately cause the reading of the roll of
Members and announce the result thereof and then declare whether or not there exist a
quorum.

In the absence of a quorum, the Presiding Officer may declare a recess of not more than

thirty (30) minutes and wait for the other Members to come to constitute a quorum. If there is still
no quorum despite the recess, the Presiding Officer may, motu proprio, or upon proper motion
from the floor duly adopted by the Sanggunian, then declare the session adjourned for lack of
quorum.

The motion for adjournment is non-debatable.

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RULE XIII

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 46. Preparation of Order of Business. The Order of Business shall be prepared by
the Secretary to the Sanggunian and approved by the Presiding Officer. The electronic copy
thereof, together with the attachment and supporting documents, shall be furnished all Members
of the Sanggunian at least two (2) days before the date of the Regular or Special Session.

Section 47. Where and When to File Measures for Inclusion in the Order of Business. All
matters or items for inclusion in the Order of Business for the immediately

ensuing session shall be filed before the Legislative Services Division not later than 5:00 oclock
in the afternoon of Wednesday Thursday. The application form shall be accompanied by hard
and electronic copies of proposed measure and relevant documents as attachment or support
thereto, if any, in the manner provided in Rule XIV hereof.

Request for Committee Reports for inclusion in the Order of Business shall be coordinated with
the Journal and Minutes Division. Hard and electronic copy of minutes of
regular/special sessions and committee reports shall be submitted to the Secretary to the
Sanggunian at least one day before the date of the regular session day, who shall

immediately furnish copies of the same to Sangguniang Panlungsod members. 7

Section 48. Contents of the Order of Business. The Order of Business of the Sanggunian
shall be as follows:

Invocation

Singing of the Philippine National Anthem

Singing of the General Santos City Hymn

Call to Order
Roll Call

Reading and Adoption of Minutes of Previous Session(s)

Committee Report
Calendar of Business
I. Unfinished Business
II. Business of the Day
(a.)

First Reading and Referral to the Proper Committees

(b.)

Third and Final Reading

(c.)

Urgent Matters

(d.)

Second Reading

Other Business
Privilege Hour (Rearranged)
Question and Answer Hour

Announcement
Adjournment

Section 49. Contents of Calendar of Business. The Calendar of Business shall contain the
assigned number of the proposed measure, order of priority, the title, and the name of the
sponsor(s) or author(s).

Section 50. Privilege Speech. Any Member desiring to deliver a privilege speech may, after
informing in writing the Legislative Services Division before 5:00 oclock in the afternoon of
Wednesday Thursday, speak for not more than one (1) hour thirty (30) minutes. In case
his/her speech is less than one (1) hour, the remaining time shall be used for the
discussion/interpellation relating to the subject matter thereon, otherwise it shall be addressed
during the Question and Answer Hour. If more than one (1) Member registered to avail of the
Privilege Hour, each speaker shall be limited to only thirty (30) minutes, inclusive of the
discussion/interpellation relating to the subject matter thereon.

Section 5, IR No. 1, Series of 2015.

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A maximum of two (2) speakers shall be allowed to avail of the Privilege Hour. In case more
than two (2) Members manifested their intention to deliver a privilege speech, the 3rd and other
succeeding Members shall be granted the same privilege on the next Regular Session.

No motion in connection with the subject matter of the privilege speech shall be
presented and/or entertained during the privilege speech.
Section 51. Circumstances when Deviation is Allowed. Deviation from the prescribed
Order of Business may be done only under the following circumstances:

(a.) When the Sanggunian decides to suspend these Rules through a motion filed by a

Member. In any case, the decision to suspend these Rules shall require a general
consent, or in case of objection, the vote of at least a simple majority of the

Members present is required; and

(b.) When the measure to be acted upon by the Sanggunian is certified to by the City

Mayor as urgent, the same shall have priority over all other items in the Order of

Business and be considered after its inclusion in the Order of Business.

Section 52. Consideration of Other Business or Measures. Only the matters listed in the
Order of Business shall be taken up by the Sanggunian in a particular Session. However, upon
the approval of a majority of the Sanggunian, the Presiding Officer may submit for its
consideration urgent matter or matters not listed in the Order of Business which involves public
interest and that any delay in the consideration thereof will prejudice the essential activities of
the government or result in danger to or loss of life or property.

FOR INSERTION HERE:

Any member who intends to introduce any proposed legislative measure to be

considered on the other business of the agenda of the day may do so by filing a written
request to the Presiding Officer duly supported by the written legislative proposal at
least a day before the scheduled session. 8

Section 53. Question and Answer Hour. Question and Answer Hour shall be limited

to those matters discussed in the Privilege Hour or any question relating to any measure
pending before the Sangguniang Panlungsod: Provided, However, if time permits, in the
exercise of the oversight function of the Sanggunian, any matter related to public service may
be taken up thereto.

Any Department Head, Chief of Office, or official or employee of the City Government of
General Santos may be summoned by the Sanggunian with the permission of the City Mayor to
appear during session and give information on any matter pending before the Sanggunian that
pertains within the competence and jurisdiction of his/her department.

No question shall contain arguments, offensive or unparliamentary language or expressions,

pertain to sub-judice matters, or contain unwarranted discourtesy to person being summoned.

Section 54. Announcement. Announcement shall include the reading of the title and brief
description of the resolutions passed by the Sangguniang Barangay transmitted to the
Sanggunian but not subject for review under Section 57 of R.A. 7160; relevant executive and
administrative orders promulgated by the Office of the City Mayor and national government
agencies; and memoranda issued affecting the operation, management, programs, projects,
events, activities, and personnel of the city government in general.

RULE XIV

PAPERLESS LEGISLATION

Section 55. Paperless legislative process. The Sanggunian shall endeavor to develop
institutional capabilities and harness available advance information and communication
resources in the legislative process aimed at achieving greater productivity at a lesser cost.
Towards this end, the Sanggunian shall adhere to the following rules:

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(a.) The texts of proposed ordinances and resolutions, together with its attachment and

supporting documents, if any, to be filed before the Sanggunian shall be prepared

in not more than three (3) hard copies, to be distributed to the Presiding Officer,

secretariat, and official file at the Records Division. Copies of Order of Business,
committee reports and minutes of meeting or hearing shall be prepared and filed in

the same manner.

(b.) In lieu of hard copies of aforesaid documents, electronic copy thereof shall be

furnished all the members of the Sanggunian in the manner provided under Rule X,

Rule XIII, Rule XV, and Rule XVIII hereof.

RULE XV

LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

Section 56. Rules in the Enactment of Ordinance and Passage of Resolutions.

In the enactment of ordinances and passage of resolutions including other matters requiring
legislative actions, the following rules shall be observed:

(a.) Legislative actions of a general and permanent character shall be enacted in the form of
ordinances, while those which are of temporary character shall be passed in the form of
resolutions.

(b.) Proposed ordinances and resolutions shall be in writing in not more than three (3) hard
copies and shall contain an assigned number, a title or a caption. An ordinance shall also
contain an enacting or ordaining clause, and the date of its proposed effectivity and other
important provisions. In addition, every proposed ordinance shall be accompanied by a brief
explanatory note containing the justification for its approval. It shall be signed by the author or
authors.

(c.) A resolution shall be passed in the same manner prescribed for an ordinance, unless
decided otherwise by a majority of the Sanggunian members present.

(d.) No ordinance or resolution shall be considered on second reading in any Regular Session
unless it has been reported out by the proper Committee to which it was referred.

(e.) Any legislative matter duly certified to by the Local Chief Executive as urgent whether or not
it is included in the Order of Business may be presented and considered by the Body at the
same meeting without need of suspending the rules.

(f.)
The Secretary to the Sanggunian shall prepare not more than three hard (3) copies of
the proposed ordinance or resolutions in the form it was passed on second reading and shall
distribute to each Sanggunian member electronic copy thereof except that a measure certified
by the Local Chief Executive as urgent may be submitted for the final voting immediately after it
has undergone the periods of debate and amendment during the second reading.

(g.) No ordinance or resolution enacted or passed by the Sanggunian in a Regular or Special

Session duly called for the purpose shall be valid unless approved by the members present,
there being a quorum, according to the number of votes required for that matter.

(h.) Resolutions passed by the Sanggunian need not be approved by the Local Chief Executive.
However, resolutions adopting a local development plan and public investment program shall be
transmitted to the Local Chief Executive for approval.

(i.)
[Any member who intends to introduce any proposed legislative measure to be
considered on the other business of the agenda of the day may do so by filing a written
request to the Presiding Officer duly supported by the written legislative proposal at
least a day before the scheduled session.] 9

(j.)
During the third and final reading, final copy of the legislative proposal should be
available and all the amendments introduced during the second reading must be highlighted on
the said copy for easy reference and comparison from the original proposal. 10

Section 6, IR No. 1, Series of 2015.

10

Section 6, IR No. 1, Series of 2015.

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Section 57. Approval of Ordinance and Veto Power of the Local Chief Executive. The
approval of the ordinance by the City Mayor and the exercise of his/her veto power shall be
governed by the following rules:

(a.)
Every ordinance enacted by the Sanggunian shall be presented to the City Mayor for
his/her approval. If the Local Chief Executive approves the same, he/she shall affix his/her
signature on each and every page thereof; otherwise, he/she shall veto it and return the same
with his/her objections to the Sanggunian, which may proceed to reconsider the same. The
Sanggunian, within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the veto message, may override the said
veto by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its members, thereby making the ordinance effective for all
intents and purposes.

(b.)
The veto shall be communicated by the City Mayor to the Sanggunian within ten (10)
days; otherwise, the ordinance shall be deemed approved as if he/she had signed it.

(c.)
The City Mayor may veto any ordinance of the Sanggunian on the ground that it is ultra
vires or prejudicial to the public welfare, stating his/her reasons therefore in writing.

(d.)
The Mayor shall have the power to veto any particular item or items of an appropriation
ordinance, an ordinance or resolution adopting a local development plan and public investment
program or an ordinance directing the payment of money or creating liability. In such case, the
veto shall not affect the item or items which are not objected to. The vetoed item or items shall
not take effect unless the Sanggunian overrides the veto in the manner as provided in this
Section; otherwise, the item or items in the appropriation ordinance of the previous year
corresponding to those vetoed, if any, shall be deemed re-enacted.
(e.) The Local Chief Executive may veto an ordinance or resolution only once.

Section 58. The Three-Reading Principle. Before an ordinance is finally enacted, it

shall undergo the following stages:

(a.)
First Reading. At this stage, the Secretary to the Sanggunian shall read the assigned
number of the proposed draft ordinance, its title, name of the author or authors or the name of
the Members introducing it. Thereafter, the Presiding Officer
shall refer it to the appropriate Committee.
(b.) Second Reading. At this stage, any proposed ordinance that has already been reported
out by the concerned Committee and has been calendared for second reading may be
sponsored by the author of the proposed ordinance or resolution. The proposed ordinance may
no longer be read in full unless the appropriate Committee or the Sanggunian itself decided
otherwise. After the usual sponsorship speech has been delivered, the proposed ordinance shall
be subjected to period of debate or discussion, amendment, and approval on second reading. A
motion to close debate requires simple majority vote of the Members
present.
(c.)
Third and Final Reading.- At this stage, the Secretary shall read the proposed draft
ordinance by its number, title and the name of its sponsor or co-sponsor, if any. Immediately
thereafter, the Presiding Officer shall put the proposed ordinance to a vote. The Presiding
Officer shall then formally announce the result thereof and direct the Secretary to enter in the
record. No further discussion, deliberation and amendment shall be allowed at this stage.

Section 59. Methods of Voting. Unless a different method is prescribed by the

Sanggunian for a particular measure, voting shall be either one of the following methods: (a.) By
voice (viva voce);
(b.) By raising of hand (or show of hand); (c.) By rising;
(d.) By ballot; or

(e.) By nominal voting (or roll call).

Section 60. Putting the Question to a Vote. The Presiding Officer shall rise whenever
he/she is putting a question to a vote. In taking the vote, the Presiding Officer shall take first the
affirmative votes and then the negative votes. While still standing, the Presiding Officer shall
announce the result thereof.

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RULE XVI

VOTES AND VOTING

Section 61. Voting on the Question. Whenever a nominal voting is being applied, the
Secretary to the Sanggunian shall call the roll of Members either in alphabetical order or based
on their sitting arrangement whatever is convenient to the Secretary. As each name is called,
the Member shall announce his/her vote by stating Yes or No, as the case may be. A
Member may explain his/her vote but not to exceed five (5) minutes.

A second roll call may be requested by any Member from the Presiding Officer but this time only
the names of those who failed to vote shall be called to give another opportunity to those who
failed to cast their vote to exercise their right and also to determine the number of Members who
might have violated the rule on abstention. After this second roll call, no other request of the
same kind shall be entertained by the Presiding Officer.

Section 62. Voting Restriction. No Member can vote, or be allowed to vote, on any measure
in which he/she or any of his/her relatives within the fourth (4th) degree of consanguinity or
affinity, has a direct or personal pecuniary interest. This rule, however, does not apply in voting
for elective positions in the Sanggunian where a Member, as a matter of right, can vote for
himself/herself.

Section 63. Change of Vote. A Member may change his/her vote but only when the

result of the voting has not yet been announced by the Presiding Officer, otherwise, he/she can
only change his/her vote by a unanimous consent of the Members present: Provided, That this
rule shall not be applied if voting is by ballot.

Section 64. Vote by Late-Comer. A member who came in late during the Session but
happens to arrive when voting is in progress shall be allowed to vote, provided that the result of
the voting has not yet been announced by the Presiding Officer.

Section 65. Allowable Motion During Voting. Except for a motion pertaining to a question of
quorum, no other motion shall be entertained by the Presiding Officer while voting is in
progress.

Section 66. Tie Vote. A tie vote resulting from a vote taken on any motion, measure or
proposal shall be construed to mean that the particular motion, measure or proposal is
defeated, unless the Presiding Officer decided to break it, except when a motion to appeal from
the decision of the Presiding Officer is put to a vote and it resulted in a tie which shall be
considered to sustain the decision of the Presiding Officer.

Section 67. Breaking a Tie. In case of a tie vote, the Presiding Officer may cast his/her vote if
he/she so desires. He/she is, however, precluded to cast his/her vote in order to create a tie. In
case the Presiding Officer abstains to break the tie, the motion is declared lost.
(Clarification: Is the Vice Mayor allowed to abstain? In relation to Section 71, Rule XVI)

Section 68. Majority Vote of All the Members. A majority vote of all the Members of the
Sanggunian is required in the following circumstances:

(a.) Enactment of ordinance levying taxes, fees or charges prescribing the rates thereof for
general and specific purposes;

(b.) Adoption of resolution authorizing the City Mayor to negotiate and contract loans and other
forms of indebtedness;

(c.) Enactment of ordinance authorizing the floating of bonds or other instruments of

indebtedness for the purpose of raising funds to finance development projects;

(d.) Adoption of resolution authorizing the City Mayor to lease to private parties such building
held in a proprietary capacity, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;

(e.) Enactment of ordinance granting a franchise to any person, partnership, corporation or

cooperative to do business within the City; establish, construct, operate and

maintain ferries, wharves, markets or slaughterhouse; or undertake such other activities within
the City as may be allowed by existing laws: Provided, That
cooperatives shall be given preference in the grant of such franchise; and
(f.)
Adoption of resolution concurring in the appointment issued by the City Mayor to heads
of department and offices as required under RA 7160.

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Section 69. Majority Vote of the Members Present. Except as provided in Section 8 hereof,
all other legislative matters or measures shall require only a majority vote of the members
present thereby constituting a quorum for its passage, adoption or enactment.

Section 70. Percentage Vote. For purposes of this Section, a percentage vote shall be
construed to mean as the proportion of a certain whole.

Two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the Sanguinan Panglungsod shall be applied to the
following:
Transfer to different site the seat of the City Government;

Permanent closure of any city street;

Overriding the veto of the Local Chief Executive for any ordinance or resolution;

Consideration of other matters at a special session except those stated in the notice.
The penalty of suspension or expulsion that may be imposed or meted out by the Sanggunian to
any erring Member.
Grant tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs to entities engaged in community growth-inducing
industries.

Three-fourths (3/4) vote of all the members of the Sanguinan Panglungsod shall be necessary
applied to amend, modify or repeal any proposition or ordinance approved through the system
of initiative and referendum.

Section 71. Abstentions. No member of the Sanggunian should abstain from voting, except
as provided under Section 2 of this Rule. Abstention, if ever allowed to a Member, shall not be
considered in computing the majority vote. Since abstention is not a vote, it does not count
either way.
Section 72. Reconsideration. Reconsideration shall be governed by the following

rules: (a.) When a motion, resolution, or ordinance has been approved or lost, it shall be in
order to immediately move for the reconsideration of the decision of the Sanggunian on
the same session day, and such motion shall take precedence over all other questions
except on question of quorum.

(b.) After a report, motion, resolution, or proposed ordinance has been adopted or lost,
only the Member who voted with the majority may present a motion for reconsideration
of the matter if it is still within the control of the Sanggunian. A Member who voted with
the minority may only present a motion for reconsideration if he/she is seconded by a
Member who voted with the majority. A Member who abstained from voting shall have no
right to ask reconsideration or second such motion.

(c.) A motion for reconsideration needs a simple majority vote of all Sanggunian
Members present.

RULE
XVII

DEBATES AND AMENDMENTS

Section 73. No Member shall be allowed to speak before the Sanggunian without first obtaining
the floor. A Member who has obtained the floor shall address all his/her remarks to the Presiding
Officer. He/she shall conduct himself/herself with proper decorum by confining his/her remarks
or arguments to the question under debate and by avoiding personalities.

Section 74. No Member rendering a Committee Report or delivering a sponsorship speech

shall speak for more than twenty minutes unless allowed by majority of Members present.

Section 75. No Member shall speak for more than twenty minutes on a particular issue or
question being debated upon unless he/she is allowed to do so by majority of Members present.

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Section 76. During the period of amendments, every Member shall observe the so-called fiveminute rule, that is, remarks or argumentation by any Member on each proposed amendment
shall not exceed five (5) minutes.

Section 77. The Member rendering a Committee Report or delivering the sponsorship speech
of a proposed measure may move to open or close the debate within the twenty-minute period
allowed to him/her. If he/she fails to exercise his/her option, the President Pro-Tempore shall
move to open or close the debate and may formally move for it. In any case, after a Member
has rendered a Committee Report or has finished his/her sponsorship speech of a proposed
measure, it shall be considered open to debate.

Section 78. The speaker may also be interrupted by another Member if the latter desires to ask
questions through his/her privilege to interpolate and by proposing the following motions:

(a.) Point of order;

(b.) Point of Information;

(c.) Point of parliamentary Inquiry; (d.) Raise a question of quorum;

Section 79. All questions addressed to the Member having the floor must always be coursed
through the Presiding Officer.

Section 80. The speaker having the floor and who is still delivering his/her speech may decline
to answer questions, if he/she so desires.

Section 81. When a motion to call for the previous question is proposed by a Member which
would result in the closing of debate on a pending question, a simple majority affirmative vote is
hereby required.

Section 82. After the period of debate has been closed, the period of amendments shall
immediately follow.

Section 83. Unless a different method is adopted by the Members present in a particular
session, amendments to any proposed measure, or parts thereof, shall be in seriatim.

Under this seriatim method, the proposed measure is read paragraph by paragraph or section
by section and after each one is read, amendments can be proposed and debated upon.
Thereafter, a vote is taken on the proposed amendment. Eventually, this process will reach its
conclusion and the original measure or proposition is said to have passed the second reading.

RULE XVIII

JOURNAL AND RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Section 84. Record of Proceedings. The Sanggunian shall keep a journal and record of its
proceedings which may be published upon resolution of the majority Members thereof.

Section 85. Minutes. In addition to the journal of proceedings which is required by the law to
be kept, the Sanggunian through the Secretary, shall also record its proceedings in the form of
Minutes which shall be submitted by the Secretary to the Sanggunian for appropriate action. It
shall contain a clear, concise and orderly account of the business of the session and the actions
taken thereon. It shall contain the following:

(a.) Nature of Session, whether regular, executive or special; (b.) Time, date, and place of
session;

(c.) Name of the present and absent members;

(d.) Action taken on the Minutes of the previous sessions including the correction, if any; (e.) All
motions presented or proposed, whether lost or carried, except those withdrawn; (f.) Points of
order and appeals and results thereof;

(g.) Duration of session stating the time of commencement and adjournment.

Section 86. Reading and Consideration of Previous Minutes. The Minutes of the previous
session shall be submitted by the Secretary to the Sanggunian during its succeeding Regular
session. The Sanggunian shall first determine if there are corrections to be made on

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the Minutes and act on it accordingly before the same is adopted and became its property.
Consideration of the Minutes shall not be dispensed with. Reading of the Minutes verbatim may
be dispensed with if the members were already furnished a copy beforehand. Being all
responsible men and women, the Members are presumed to have read the minutes already
before they come to the session. In any case, the minutes submitted by the Secretary shall be
acted upon by the Members present, one way or the other.

Section 87. Signing of the Minutes. The original copy of the Minutes shall be signed by the
Secretary and the Presiding Officer.

Section 88. Excerpts. Excerpt to be taken out of the Minutes shall be certified and attested to
as correct by the Secretary and the Presiding Officer on that particular session, respectively.

RULE XIX

RULES ON MOTIONS

Section 89. All motions relating to a Committee Report, if presented or proposed by the
reporting Committee Chair or the reporting Committee Member shall need a seconder.

Section 90. If someone has the floor, whether or not he/she is speaking, a motion to adjourn
shall be ruled out of order.

Section 91. All privilege motions may be proposed even if there is a pending motion or question
before the Body.

Section 92. The following motions can be presented or proposed even if someone has the floor,
or that the foregoing enumerated motions can interrupt the speaker, viz.:

(a.) Appeal from the Decision of the Chair;

(g.)
Parliamentary Inquiry;

(b.) Call for Orders of the Day;

(h.)
Motion for reconsideration;

(c.) Divide the Body;

(i.)
Raise a Question of Privilege.

(d.) Divide the Question;

(e.) Object to the Consideration of a Question;

(f.) Point of Order;

Section 93. Motions or questions which were laid on the table may be taken up through a
motion to that effect during that particular session or during the next regular session but not
beyond.

Section 94. The following motions require a second, viz.:

(a.) Adjourn;

(b.) Adopt a report or resolution;

(l.)

(c.)
Amend;

Call for the previous Question;

(d.) Appeal from the decision of the Presiding Officer;

(m.)
Recess;

(e.) Commit or refer to a committee;

(n.)
Motion for Reconsideration;

(f.)
Expunge from the record;

(o.)
Suspend the rules;

(g.) Extend or limit the time for debate;

(p.)
Take from the table; and

(h.) Fix the time to which to adjourn;

(q.)
All main motions.

(i.)
Lay on the table;

(j.)
Postpone definitely;

(k.)
Postpone indefinitely;

Section 95. A motion to amend (amendment of the 1st degree) and motion to amend an
amendment (amendment of the 2nd degree) may be withdrawn but only before a decision is
made thereon.

Section 96. For purposes of these Rules, the following table of rules and precedence of motions shall
be observed:

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Can it
Is it stanIs it
Is it
Can its
How

Does it
interrupt
dard?
debarenewvote be
many

TYPE & RANK OF MOTION

need a
the

table?
able?
reconvote is re-

second?
speaker?

sidered?
quired?

PRIVILEGE MOTIONS

1.

Fix the time to which to adjourn

YES
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
M
2.

Adjourn (if unqualified)

YES
NO
YES
YES
YES
NO
M

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3.

Take a recess
YES
NO
YES
YES
YES
NO
M
4.

Raise a Question of Privilege

NO
YES
NO
NO
NO

5.

Call for Order of the Day

NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
M

SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS

6.

Lay on the Table

YES
NO
NO

NO
YES
NO
M
7.

Call for the Previous Question

YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
Simple

majority

8.

Modify the Limits of Debate

YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
YES
Simple

majority

YES
9. Postpone Definitely

10. Commit or Refer to a Committee

YES

YES

11. Amend (unadopted question)

YES

YES

YES

MAIN MOTIONS

1. (a.) General main Motions

(b.) Specific Main Motions

YES
NO

Reconsider

YES

YES

NO

Rescind or repeal

NO

YES

Adopt a report or resolution

NO

YES

NO

Amend (adopted question)

YES

YES

NO

Adjourn (if qualified)

YES

YES

Take from the table

NO

YES

NO

Expunge

YES

YES

NO

INCIDENTAL MOTIONS

YES
M

Suspend the rules

NO

YES

NO
YES
NO

NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
M

NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
M

NO
YES

YES
M
NO
YES
YES
YES
NO
M
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
M

NO

YES

NO

NO

YES

NO

NO

NO

YES

NO

Simple

Simple

majority

majority

Withdraw a motion
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
M
Object to the consideration of a question
NO
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
Simple

majority

Raise a point of order

NO
YES
NO
NO
NO

Raise a point of information

NO
YES
NO
NO
NO

Raise a parliamentary inquiry

NO
YES
NO
NO
NO

Appeal from the decision of the Chair

YES
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
M
Call for the division of the Body
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
M
Ask for the division of the question
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
M
Ask/request permission to read papers

NO
NO
NO

NO
YES

Motion to reopen or close nominations or

YES
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
M
polls

RULE XX

UNPARLIAMENTARY ACTS AND WORDS

Section 97. Unparliamentary Acts and Words. - All indecent or demeaning acts, words
and declarations against any person or class or class of persons or public institution are
hereby declared unparliamentary.

No Member of the Sanggunian, under any circumstances and during the debate, shall use
offensive or improper language against other Member of the Sanggunian or against any
person, public officer or institution. Any Member of the Sanggunian who utters any
unparliamentary word or commits an unparliamentary act may be sanctioned as follows:

(a.) The Presiding Officer shall, motu proprio, or at the instance of another Member, call
him/her to order. The erring Member shall immediately take his/her seat, if he/she has the
floor. In case a point of order is raised and sustained by the Presiding Officer, said Member
shall not continue speaking without the consent of the Sanggunian upon motion is made and
duly seconded.

(b.) When a Member is called to order for using improper and offensive words during a
debate, upon motion made by another Member, such words shall be ordered stricken from
the records.

(c.) In addition to the foregoing, depending on the seriousness of the violation committed by
a Member, upon proper motion, the Presiding Officer may reprimand the erring Member and
such reprimand shall be inserted in the records.

(d.) In case of disorderly behavior, the Sanggunian, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote may impose
such penalty as may be warranted by the disorderly behavior committed,

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without prejudice to the institution of the proper administrative and/or criminal action as the
circumstances may warrant.

RULE XXI

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Section 98. Penalty. Any Member who commits an act in transgression of the foregoing
Internal Rules of Procedure shall be punished with the corresponding penalties hereunder
prescribed, to wit;

ACT PUNISHABLE

PENALTY

(a.) Any unjustified absence with prior notice

Fine of not less than P50.00 but not more

than
P
200.00.

(b.) Any unjustified

absence in
four (4)
Fine of not less than
P
1,000.00 but not
consecutive sessions

more than
P
3,000.00 without prejudice to

the

filing
of
the
corresponding

administrative charge as per Art. 124 (c).

IRR of R.A. 7160.

(c.)Coming in late in any kind of session

Fine of not less than
P
25.00 but not more

than P50.00 per hour of being late or

fraction thereof.

(d.) Refusal without

valid excuse
to perform
Fifteen (15) days suspension without
official function

renumeration.

(e.) Unjustified absence in committee hearing of

Fine of not less than

P
50.00 but not more
which he/she is regular member

than
P
500.00 without prejudice to the

filing of corresponding administrative

charge for neglect of duty.

Section 99. Requisites. The penalty of suspension or expulsion to be imposed shall require the
concurrence of at least two thirds (2/3) vote of all the members of this Sanggunian. For other
kinds of penalty only a majority vote of all the members of the Sanggunian shall suffice.

Section 100. Collection of Fines and its Disposition. The Secretary to the Sanggunian shall
collect the fines as may be imposed by this Sanggunian and shall take custody thereof as a
private trust fund. In the disposition or disbursement of the said fund, the Sanggunian shall
convert itself into a Committee En Banc and then decide upon a majority vote of all its Members
how and for what purpose the said fund would be spent.

RULE XXII

SUSPENSION OF THE RULES

Section 101. Any part of these Rules, except those prescribed by existing laws, may be
suspended at any particular session by majority vote of the Members present therein.

RULE XXIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 102. These Rules may be amended at any Regular Session by a majority vote of all the
Members of the Sanggunian: Provided, That prior notice of such proposed amendment is given
to all the Members of the Sanggunian, and, Provided, further, That no

provision herein which is based on, or prescribed by, existing laws shall be amended.

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RULE XXIV

SUPPLEMENTARY RULES

Section 103. In the absence of specific provisions in these Rules applicable to a given situation,
the pertinent provisions of the rules governing the proceedings of the Congress of the
Philippines shall be made applicable which shall be deemed suppletory to these rules. In the
absence of specific rules or provisions in the Rules of both Sanggunian and Congress of the
Philippines, the Roberts Rule of Order shall govern; however, the Sanggunian may adopt such
rules to govern the situation not herein contemplated, consistent with the provisions of the
Charter of General Santos City, as amended, and in keeping with the tenets of fair play and
justice.

RULE XXV

FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 104. Repealing Clause. - All resolutions, ordinances, and rules of procedures, or part
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of these Rules are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 105. Effectivity. - These Rules shall take effect immediately upon approval.

Passed by the 18th Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of General Santos on its 1st Regular
Session held on July ____, 2016.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTY. ROSENDO A. ROQUE

Secretary to the Sanggunian

ATTESTED BY:

SHIRLYN L. BAAS-NOGRALES

City Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer

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