Chapter 3Roadblocks Ahead: 1995-1998With the approval of SB Resolution No. 124-s-95 in 1995 the initial obstacle was successfully cleared. It paved the way for the presentation of the cityhood proposal in the Philippine Congress; first in the House of the Representatives and subsequently in the Philippine Senate. This next level presented an altogether new set of obstacles which the proponents needed to hurdle. For one thing, the Congressmen and Senators who would deliberate on the proposal were national figures and would, therefore, make decisions based on national realities. In addition, both houses would carry out the process with a set of rules different from that of the Sangguniang Bayan.

According to these rules, the consideration for the cityhood of Dasmarias must first be taken up in the House of Representatives where it is filed as a house bill and go through the process of how a bill becomes a law. First, proponents of the proposal from Dasmarias would have to find a member of the House of Representatives who would assume sponsorship of that bill, prepares, and have it drafted by the Houses Bill Drafting Division of the Reference and Research Bureau. The bills sponsor would have to shepherd the bill to its First Reading where the Secretary General reads the title and number of the bill. The Speaker of the House of Representatives then refers the bill to the appropriate House Committee.The Committee to where the bill was referred to evaluates it in order to determine the necessity of conducting public hearings. If a public hearing is necessary, the Committee schedules one, issues public notices and invites resource persons from the public and private sectors, the academe and experts on the proposed legislation. If none was needed the bill is scheduled for Committee discussions. Based on the result of the public hearings or discussions, the Committee may introduce amendments, consolidate bills on the same subject matter, or propose a substitute bill then prepares the corresponding committee report.The bill is then scheduled for consideration on Second Reading where the Secretary General again reads the number, title and text of the bill. It would be followed by a period of sponsorship and debate and the period of amendments. At this stage bills merits and demerits are debated in the open session of the House of Representatives. As soon as the period of sponsorship and debates and of amendments is closed, the House is divided either through a viva voce or through nominal voting.Once the bill is approved, it is then engrossed and included in the Calendar of Bills for Third Reading. Three days before the Third Reading, copies of the same bill are distributed to all the Members of the House. On Third Reading, the Secretary General again, reads only the number and title of the bill. What follows is a roll call or nominal voting during which each Member of the House of Representatives is given three minutes to explain his vote.The bill is then transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence once it had been approved in the House of Representatives. Here, the bill undergoes another round of more or less the same process. If the Senate approves the bill, it would be signed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and certified by both the Secretary of the Senate and the Secretary General of the House before it is transmitted to the President of the Philippine Republic. If the bill is approved by the President, it is assigned an RA (Republic Act) number and transmitted to the House where it originated.

The Tenth Philippine CongressThe very first attempt to legislate the proposal to convert Dasmarias into a city was taken up by the Tenth Congress of the Philippines during its 2nd Regular Session. Members of the 10th Congress were elected during the midterm election in 1995 wherein one half of the members in the Philippine Senate and the entire membership of the House of Representative were replaced. Under the administration of President Fidel Valdez Ramos, the 3rd Regular Session of the 10th Congress opened on July 28, 1997 with Senator Ernesto Maceda as the Senate President and Congressman Jose de Venecia of the 4th District of Pangasinan as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.Two years after the resolution was transmitted to him in 1995, Congressman Renato P. Dragon, was ready to sponsor the Dasmarias cityhood bill in 1997. At that time he was just months away from finishing his third and last term as the representative in the House of Representatives of the 2nd District of Cavite which included the Municipality of Dasmarias. Upon his instructions the Bill Drafting Division of the Reference and Research Bureau in the House of Representatives prepared the draft in accordance with a predetermined format.The draft contained the obligatory Explanatory Note which served as the introductory message which showed that the bill originated from the House of Representative during its Second Regular Session and the authors being; the Honorable Congressmen Renato Dragon, Plaridel M. Abaya, a first termer representative of the First District, and Telesforo A, Unas of the Third District who was in his second term.

The bill was entitled An Act Converting the Municipality of Dasmarias into a City to be known as the City of Dasmarias, and its stated purpose was to declare Dasmarias as a component city It explained that converting the municipality into a city would facilitate its growth and to keep up with the demands of the locality because of its fast paced and continuous to growth and development from a predominantly agricultural community on the outskirts of Metro Manila into a residential, commercial, and industrial center of Cavite.The accompanying supporting documents showed the 1996 income and population of the municipality to be P86 million and 262,406 (National Statistics Office 1995) respectively. The trends for both were in the upswing as the former was expected to grow to P120 million and the latter to double in the coming years.The Explanatory Note further explained that cityhood would bring about two important benefits for the Municipality of Dasmarias. One of these benefits was the increase in the towns income that may be expected due to additional Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). Second was the greater local autonomy from the province of Cavite that the town would enjoy upon acquisition city status. This development would catalyze growth and development not only in Dasmarias but also in the whole province.

Relevant Provisions of the BillThe draft bill also contained relevant provisions which we shall discuss in this portion. The Declaration of Principles and Policies, (Article 1, Section 1) served as a guide for city officials and employees on the manner by which they should conduct their governmental functions. It contained the following reminders to city officials, whether elected or appointed:

1) Public office is a public trust and that all government officials and employees must at all times be accountable to the people.

2) As holders of public office, they swore to the belief of leadership by example and that they shall abide by the code of conduct and ethical standards for public servants.3) They should adhere to the policy of transparency in the conduct of public transactions.4) The active participation and support of the people are indispensable to attain success in all city programs and projects.5) The prime resource of their authority is the people and in order to attain their goals and vision for Dasmarias, they must protect the welfare of the city officials and employees.6) They must strictly enforce the laws without fear or favor.7) The maintenance of peaceful and orderly community as well as clean and green environment should also be faithfully adhered to for they are essential to growth and progress.8) They swore to the prudent management of public funds and resources.9) That as public servants, they would at all times be ready and willing to provide assistance through efficient, honest, fast, highly professional, and innovative services, and above all.10) They affirm the guidance and help of the Almighty God without which all these things will not be possible.The General Declaration, (Article II) declared that the Act would be known as the Charter of the City of Dasmarias (Section 2), and as such, it converts the municipality into a component city. It also delineated the boundaries of its territory over which it would have jurisdiction (Section 3). It included the present territory of the Municipality of Dasmarias in the Province of Cavite, bounded by the municipalities of Gen. Trias, Imus, Bacoor, General Mariano Alvarez and Silang in Cavite and the Municipality of San Pedro in Laguna. The same article vested the city with the following corporate powers (Section 4):

1) The power to have a continuous succession in its corporate name.

2) The power to sue and be sued.

3) The power to have and use a corporate seal.

4) The power to acquire and convey real or personal property.

5) To enter into contracts.

6) The power to exercise other powers as are granted to corporations, subject to the limitations provided in the bill and other laws. The power of the City to levy taxes was enshrined in Section 5 of the same article. It also vested the City with the following additional powers; to close roads, streets, alleys, parks or squares; to take, purchase, receive, hold, lease, convey, and dispose of real and personal property for the general interest of the City; to condemn private property for the general interest of the City; to condemn private property for public use; to contract and be contracted with; to sue and be sued; to prosecute and defend to final judgment and execution suits wherein the City is a party; and, to exercise all the powers as are granted to corporations conferred in the bill. More importantly, it cautioned the City and its officials against abuse in the exercise of these powers for they shall not be exempted from liability for consequential death or injury to persons or damage to property.Elective and Appointive City OfficialsAccording to Article III, officials of City of Dasmarias may be elected at large by the registered voters of the City. Other officials may be appointed by those authorized under this provision. The City Mayor was one of those who have been bestowed the authority to appoint city officials. However, the majority of all the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod must concur with appointment within fifteen days after appointment, otherwise these appointments shall be deemed confirmed.

The city government may also create positions or offices that it felt were necessary to carry out the purposes of the City. At the same time it may consolidate the functions of any office with those of another in the interest of efficiency and economy. It may also retain offices, already in existence at the time of the approval of the charter, but were not mentioned in Section 8 (a) (b).

The City Mayor

As the chief executive of the city, the City Mayor per Article IV Section 9 is the head of its government. The proposed City Charter bestowed on him the powers that were necessary, appropriate, or incidental for the efficient and effective governance of the City and those that were essential for the promotion of the general welfare.

The City Mayors mandate included the enforcement of all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the City and in the exercise of its appropriate corporate powers as well as to implement all approved policies, programs, projects, services, and activities of the City. He was expected to initiate and maximize the generation of resources and revenues, and apply the same to the implementation of development plans, programs, objectives, and priorities, particularly those resources and revenues programmed for agro-industrial development and countryside growth and progress.

The City Mayor was also tasked to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities. In addition to all these, he has to perform other duties and functions and exercise other powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991 and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.Qualified voters of the City may elect the City Mayor at large during the local elections. Aspirants to the position should be twenty three (23) years of age at the time of the election and a resident of the city for at least one year prior to the election. His tenure would be for three years. He may, however, be removed from office before the end of that tenure through a recall election. He shall be paid a minimum monthly compensation that corresponded to salary grade thirty (30) as prescribed under Republic Act No. 6758.

The City Vice-Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod

The City Vice-Mayor per Section 10, like the City Mayor, should likewise be elected to the position through a popular election. He is a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and acts as its presiding officer during sessions. As such, he was authorized by the proposed city charter to sign all warrants drawn on the city treasurer for all expenditures appropriated for the operation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. He alone was granted the right to appoint all officials and employees of the Sanggunian.

As the City Vice-Mayor, he assumes the office of the City Mayor, exercise its powers and perform the duties of the latters position in the event of permanent or temporary vacancy. In case of permanent vacancy, the City Vice-Mayor shall serve for the unexpired term of the City Mayor.

The next set of elective city officials of the city government per House Bill No. 8931 were the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the lawmaking body of the city. Its composition as described in Section 11of Article V included the City Vice-Mayor, who is its presiding officer and the twelve regular members or the Kagawads. Any resident of the City of Dasmarias may run for the position of a Kagawad during local elections held every three years as long as he or she possessed the same qualifications as those rung for the position of the City Mayor and Vice-Mayor.

Aside from the Vice-Mayor and the Kagawads, three slots in the city council have been reserved for sectoral representatives who would become part of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. These sectoral representatives should come from the womens group, from the agricultural or industrial workers, and from the urban poor, indigenous cultural minorities, or disabled persons.

The primary duty of the Sangguniang Panlungsod as mandated by the proposed city charter was to pass necessary ordinances and resolutions for the efficient and effective government of the city. These ordinances and resolutions should ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the basic services and installation of facilities as provided for under the Local Government Code. They were also mandated to formulate development plans, programs, objectives and priorities. In order to achieve these, the charter authorized the Sangguniang Panlungsod to generate and maximize the use of the citys resources and revenues.

The proposed City Charter also empowered the Sangguniang Bayan to enact ordinances that would grant franchises, and authorize the issuance of permits or licenses which are intended to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants of the City. The regulation of these activities relative to the use of land, buildings and structures within the City for the purpose of promoting the general welfare also formed part of their duties and functions. For the Sangguniang Panlungsod to successfully carry out their mandated duty of legislating ordinances and resolutions, they would be guided by Article VI entitled the Process of Legislation, specifically, Section 12. The important provisions of that section defined the internal rules of procedure on the process by which the Sanggunian create ordinances for the city. The Sangguniang Bayan was directed by the proposed City Charter to conduct its first regular session and adopt or update its existing rules of procedure within ninety (90) days upon the election of its members.

The rules of procedure that the Sangguniang Panlungsod would consequently adopt should provide for the election of its officers and the creation of standing committee, such as, the committee on appropriation, the committee women and family, committee on human rights, committee on youth and sports development, committee on environmental protection, and the committee on cooperatives. The rules of procedures should also define the general jurisdiction of each committee and the election of the chairman and members. The rules on how to discipline a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod members for disorderly behavior and absences also formed parts of the aforementioned rules of procedures. Upon assumption to office, and in accordance with Section 13 of the proposed City Charter, members of the Sanggunian were required to fully disclose, in writing any financial and business interests that may include any business, financial, or professional relationship or any relation by affinity or consanguinity within the fourth civil degree. This is to avoid the relationship which the member of the city council may have with any person, firm or entity affected by any ordinance or resolution under consideration by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of which he is a member, may result in conflict of interest. This disclosure, which shall be made and submitted to the secretary of the Sanggunian and to the Secretary of the Committee of which he is a member, before he participates in a deliberation, or before voting on the ordinance or resolution or before he takes a position or makes a privilege speech on a matter that may affect the business interest, financial connection, or professional relationship.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod was directed by Section 14, Article VI of the proposed city charter to pass a resolution during the first council meeting immediately following their election to immediately fix the day, the time, and the place of its regular session. These council sessions should be open to the public, except when the majority of the members present voted that it be held behind closed-doors for reasons of security, decency, or morality. To record its proceedings, the Sangguniang Panlungsod should be kept by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in a journal that it may publish upon its resolution.Every ordinance that the city council have enacted must be presented to the City Mayor for his approval. This he does by affixing his signature on each and every page in compliance with the procedures set by Section 16. However, the City Mayor per Section 17 may veto any ordinance on the ground that it is prejudicial to the public welfare. The same provision required him to state in writing his reason for the veto. In case the City Mayor vetoes an ordinance, the Sangguniang Panlungsod may override through a vote by two-thirds of all its members. In such case, the ordinance or resolutions become effective for all legal intent and purposes.After approval of an ordinance or resolution, Section 20 directed the Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to have copies of said ordinance or resolution in a bulletin board at the entrance of the City Hall and in at least two other conspicuous places and disseminated in Pilipino or English and in the language or dialect understood by the majority of the residents in the city. The ordinance or resolution takes effect ten days after this posting.The elective positions of the City Mayor, City Vice-Mayor, and the regular members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod may be sought by any person who possessed the qualifications for said positions set by the proposed City Charter. However, Article VII, Section 21 of the charter also laid down the grounds for disqualification of the following individuals from running for any of these elective positions, these are:

1) Those persons who were sentenced by final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude or for an offense punishable by one year or more of imprisonment, within two years after serving sentence and those individuals who were removed from office as a result of an administrative case.

2) Those persons convicted by final judgment for violating the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.

3) Those with dual citizenship.

4) Those fugitives from justice in criminal or nonpolitical cases here and abroad.

5) Those who were permanent residents in a foreign country or those who have acquired the right to reside abroad and continue to avail of the same right after the effectivity of the Local Government Code.

6) For obvious reasons, those individuals who were insane or feeble-minded.

The Sanggunian Secretary and other Appointive City OfficialsThe Local Government Code of 1991 empowers the City Mayor and the City Vice-Mayor to appoint city officials to positions to perform duties and functions required by the exigencies of the City. The code, in particular Article VIII, listed the titles, qualifications, powers and duties of these appointive city officials which it deemed mandatory in the operation of the city. The city government may opt to create offices and appoint officials as needed. Heading the list is the position of the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

In accordance with Section 25, the Secretary should take charge of the office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. He should attend all its meetings and keep a journal of its proceedings. He should also be the keeper of the seal of the City where he affixes the same with his signature to all ordinances, resolutions, and other official acts of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. He should then present these records of the official acts of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to the City Vice-Mayor, the presiding officer, for signature.To qualify for the position of the Sanggunian Secretary, one should be Filipino, a resident of the City of Dasmarias, and of good moral character. The preferred educational qualification of a holder of said position is a college degree in law. Graduates of bachelors degree in, commerce or public administration from a recognized college or university would also be considered. However, since the position is a career in public service, the candidate is required to possess a first grade civil service eligibility or its equivalent.The titles of other appointive city officials as suggested in the proposed City Charter are listed below. It includes a short description of their proposed duties and functions.The City Treasurer (Section 26) and the Assistant City Treasurer (Section 27) were officially charged with tax collection efforts of the City.The City Assessor (Section 28) and the Assistant City Assessor (Section 29) were tasked to ensure that all laws and policies governing the appraisal and assessment of real properties for taxation purposes are properly executed.The City Accountant (Section 30) shall perform the accounting and internal audit services for the city.The City Budget Officer (Section 31) would assist the City Mayor in the preparation of the city budget by reviewing and consolidating the budget proposals of the different departments and offices of the city.The City Planning and Development Coordinator (Section 32) should be given the task of formulating the citys integrated economic, social, physical, and other development plans and policies.The City Engineer and Building Official (Section 33) should be charged with the initiation, review and recommendation of changes in policies and objectives, plans and programs, techniques, procedures and practices in the infrastructure development and public works.The City Health Officer (Section 34) should be given the task of providing assistance to the City Mayor in the efficient, effective and economical implementation of a health services program geared to implementation of health-related projects and activities.The City Civil Registrar (Section 35) should be responsible for the citys civil registration program pursuant to the civil registry law, the civil code, and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations issued by the national government to implement them.The City Administrator (Section 36) should develop plans and strategies and, implement the same particularly those which have to do with the management and citys administration-related programs and projects.The City Legal Officer (Section 37) should be responsible for providing legal assistance and support to the City MayorThe City Social Services and Development Officer (Section 38) should develop and implement policies and programs designed to improve the social conditions of the disadvantaged, poor, aged and needy individuals and families living in the City.The City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (Section 39) should provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out measures to ensure delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative to environment and natural resources services.The City Architects (Section 40) should provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor relative to architectural planning and design.The City Information Officer (Section 41) should be responsible for providing information and research data required for the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities so that the public becomes aware of said services and may fully avail of the same.The City Cooperative Officer (Section 42) should carry out measures to ensure the development of cooperatives, and in provide access for residents to such services and facilities.The City Population Officer (Section 43) should be in-charge for the integration of the population development principles and in providing access to said services and facilities.The City Veterinarian (Section 44) should develop plans and strategies particularly those concerning veterinary-related activities.The City General Services Officer (Section 45) should carry out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services which require general services expertise and technical support services.The City International Relations Officer (Section 46) should be in the frontline for the enhancement of international relations, particularly those which will create investment opportunities in the City of Dasmarias and those that will provide for the City in terms of innovations, technical knowledge, new trends and practices in local government management.Other city officials per Section 47 were the City Education Officer, the City Youth and Sports Development Officer, and the City Public Safety Officer.The officer of the City Fire Station Services and the City Jail Services were created under Article IX of the proposed City Charter. The City Fire Station Service (Section 48) should be conferred with the responsibility of protecting the residents against fire and provide various emergency services such as the rescue and evacuation of injured people at fire-related incidents. It is headed by the City Fire Marshall who should formulate fire prevention and suppression measure to secure the safety of life and property of the citizenry.The City Jail Service, per Section 49, should be established in order to provide and maintain a secured, clean, adequately equipped and sanitary jail for the custody and safekeeping of prisoners, fugitives from justice, or persons detained awaiting investigation or trial and/or transfer to the national penitentiary, and/or violent mentally-ill person who endangers himself or the safety of others after having been duly certified as such by the proper medical health officer, pending the transfer to a mental institution. The city official charged with managing the City Jail Service (Section 49) was the City Jail Warden.The office of the City Prosecutors Office should also be established in accordance with the bills Article X, Sections 50 and 51. It was to be headed by the City Prosecutor who should conduct preliminary investigations of all crimes and violations of City ordinances and prosecute criminal cases.The offices of the City Register of Deeds and the City Land Transportation Office were created by Article XI, Section 52 and 53 respectively. The Transitory and Final Provisions

The Transitory and Final Provisions of the proposed City Charter covered Section 56 to 64 of Article XIII. This part included provisions that were meant to ensure a smooth and trouble-free transition for Dasmarias from its municipality status to the city status in the event of the passage of House Bill 8931. Take for instance, Section 56 of said article, decreed that all municipal ordinances of the Municipality of Dasmarias existing at the time of the approval of the proposed City Charter should continue to be in force within the City until the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall have passed an ordinance that stated otherwise.Another important provision of the proposed City Charter contained in Section 57 required the conduct of a plebiscite after the passage of the bill. Participants to this plebiscite to be conducted for the purpose of ratifying the proposed City Charter are qualified voters of the municipality. The ratification called for the affirmative vote by the majority of these voters and shall bestow on Dasmarias its corporate personality.

The provision, in Section 60, decreed the creation of a congressional district for Dasmarias upon its conversion. The first election for the position of the Congressman to represent the would-be newly-created city in the House of Representatives was set in the 1998 elections.The HOR Committee on Local Government

The completed draft of the proposed City Charter of Dasmarias was filed with the Bills and Index Division on February 11, 1997 and was numbered House Bill No. 8931. The bill was later on reproduced and within three days it was included in the order of business for the First Reading. The Committee on Rules to where the house bill was subsequently transmitted, through the Majority Leader, referred the bill to the House Committee on Local Governments. Said committee was responsible for considering proposed legislations with subjects that are directly and principally related to autonomous regions, provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.

As a matter of course, Congressman, during their three-year tour of duty in the lower house are assigned to various committees where they study, deliberate on, and act upon all measures referred to the House of Representatives. These referrals may include bills, resolutions and petitions which they are expected to recommend for approval or adoption if in their judgment would advance the interests and promote the welfare of the people.These committees are referred to with the moniker little legislatures for they determine the fate of most proposals. It is in the committee stage that a bill comes under the sharpest scrutiny because most of the time its members and staff are experts in the subjects under their jurisdiction.Substantial revisions of a measure usually occur at the committee level. Committees establish appropriate systems and procedures to ensure that constituencies, sectors and groups whose interests are affected by any pending measure are given sufficient opportunities to be heard. Most of the time committees carry out researches, conduct dialogues, and consultations. For this purpose, they usually engage the services and assistance of experts and professionals from the public or private sectors as may be needed.Committee are also given oversight responsibilities so that they may determine whether the bills, which have become laws and programs that address subjects within their jurisdictions, are being implemented and carried out in accordance with the intent of Congress. The purpose of this oversight function is to determine whether these laws and programs should be continued, curtailed, or eliminated.

Going back, the Committee on Local Government to where House Bill No. 8931 was referred to during the Tenth Congress was chaired by the representative of the 4th Congressional District of Camarines Sur, Congressman Ciriaco R. Alfelor. The Committee on Local Government first met to tackle House Bill No. 8931 on August 13, 1997. During the meeting they scrutinized the authenticity of evidentiary documents submitted to support the cityhood claim.

One of the evidences that Congressman Dragon presented was a certification issued by the Department of Finance of January 7, 1996. It declared the income of the municipality to be P33 million. Another was also a certification issued by the National Statistics Office on January 2, 1996 attesting to the towns population of 262,060. Although the land area of Dasmarias was identified by Congressman Dragon as 8,333.3 hectares, he was still asked to submit a certification by the Land Management Bureau to ascertain its accuracy. The committee also required him to submit a map of the Municipality indicating the classifications of different municipal road network into national, provincial, or municipal. House Bill No. 8931, as pointed out by the Committee, also lacked the required meets and bounds that defined the boundaries of the municipality. The Committee requested Congressman Dragon to submit same.During the meeting, the Committee through its Chairman Congressman has determined that there is a need to conduct a public hearing on the measure seeking cityhood for Dasmarias. The purpose of which was to inform residents of the proposal and at the same time enable the Committee to gain insight and assess the residents sentiments about cityhood. He informed Congressman Dragon that said public hearing would be scheduled once the required attachments were completed. In closing, Congressman Alfelor remarked and expressed confidence that once the lawmakers in the House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 8931, it would likewise be approved by their counterparts in the Senate.

The Public Hearing

There were two public hearings that the Committee on Local Government had conducted in order to gauge the residents opinion on the Dasmarias cityhood. The first one was presided over by Congressman Carlos M. Padilla, the representative of the lone district of Nueva Vizcaya, who was the Committees Vice Chairman. Due to Congressman Ciriaco Alfelors absence during the public hearing, another one was scheduled on October 3, 1997.

The second public hearing was again held at the DBB-B Elementary School. Town residents were invited through public notices which announced the date, time, and venue for the event. Invitations were also issued to resource persons from the public and private sectors, the academe, and experts on the proposed legislation.Three members of the House Committee on Local Government were in attended the public hearing, they were; Congressman Ciriaco Alfelor, the Committee Chairman; Congressman Renato V. Leviste of the First District of Mindoro; and Congressman Carlos M. Padilla of the Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya. The Committee brought along with them a Secretariat composed of one Committee Secretary, one Committee Researcher, and three Legal Minutes Officers to record the proceedings.Also in attendance were two of the three sponsors of the bill Congressman Renato Dragon and Congressman Telesforo Unas. Congressman Abaya was unable to attend the public hearing due to an unspecified reason. Provincial Board Member John Vic Remulla also attended and so did the members of the Dasmarias Sangguniang Bayan led by Mayor Recto Cantimbuhan and Vice-Mayor Dino Macayan.

Municipal employees and the Chairmen of the different barangays in the municipality, some accompanied by their barangay tanods were also in attendance. Aside from these officials, there were eighteen guests invited to serve as resource persons during the hearing. They were representatives from civic organizations like the Jaycees, the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club, and the Rotary Club. The religious organizations were represented as well as the academe, business sector, citizen organizations, the senior citizens group, the veterans, the drivers, and the Citizens Brigade of Dasmarias. All attended the public hearing to express their views on House Bill No. 8931 and hear what the Committee had to say about it.In his welcome speech, Mayor Recto Cantimbuhan reiterated the reasons for the municipal governments efforts to convert Dasmarias into a city. The Mayor claimed that Dasmarias was one of the largest and the most progressive municipalities in the country. In view of this, people mostly from Metro Manila and adjoining localities chose it as a place for their education, their residence, for their investment, and for some, a haven of employment opportunities.

The presence of major universities and colleges, according to Mayor Cantimbuhan, had earned for Dasmarias the moniker, university town. Not only that, the municipality was also nicknamed the residential town owing to its numerous subdivisions and resettlement areas. And finally, because of the presence of three giant industrial parks in Dasmarias, it also earned the title of commercial and industrial town. As a result the towns population swelled affecting the successful delivery of basic services. He believed that cityhood, with its guaranteed benefits, was the answer to the pressing problem caused by it expanding population base.Mayor Cantimbuhan stressed that it was the right time to accomplish the cityhood for Dasmarias. He stressed the urgency of the proposal while the town is still qualified under the existing Local Government Code. He exhorted his fellow Dasmarineos, especially the youth who will inherit the town, to unite and support the endeavor.

Mayor Cantimbuhan also took the opportunity dispel speculations that is support for cityhood was politically motivated. He declared that cityhood would not help his political career by extending him term as the mayor. He explained that he would no longer be qualified to run for another term even if Dasmarias was successfully converted into a city. His participation in the whole endeavor, he clarified, was not induced by vested personal interest.After the Mayors speech, Congressman Alfelor announced that Dasmarias would be the 71st municipality in the country to be converted into a city if it succeeds in the present efforts for cityhood. He clarified that House Bill No. 8931 aimed to convert Dasmarias into a component city because at that time it does not qualify for the higher income and population requirements of an independent and a highly urbanized city. Congressman Alfelor continued that as a component city, Dasmarias will continue to be supervised by the provincial government. Its residents would still be eligible to participate as candidates or voters in the election of provincial officials.With the passage of the cityhood bill, the Committee Chairman told the town residents that Dasmarias would be entitled to an increased share in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). He estimated that as a municipality, Dasmarias received more or less P120 million pesos from the IRA. Once cityhood is attained, this would be increased to more or less P200 million pesos.Cityhood is a good thing, he told the Dasmarineos present during the public hearing. He, however, cautioned them that they would have to work hard to keep it Dasmarias beautiful and keep it apace with other cities in terms of progress. They should never allow it to lag behind.After the Chairmans opening statement, Congressman Leviste moved to dispense with the calling of the roll of members and for the approval in toto of the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee. Both motions were duly seconded and the Chairman announced that explanation of the bill by its author be also dispensed inasmuch he had covered the subject in his opening statement. He then announced that the meeting proceeds with its main agenda and called on the invited guests.The representative from Jose Rizal Memorial Foundation Hospital, a Sister Castor was the first to be called. When she spoke, Sister Castor declared her institutions support for the pursuance of Dasmarias aspiration for progress and development. In connection with this, she asked the Committee how the Jose Rizal Memorial Foundation Hospital may contribute to further these aspirations once cityhood is attained. She also asked the Committee what benefits her institution can derive from cityhood.

Congressman Alfelor replied that the Jose Rizal Memorial Foundation Hospital could receive increased funding from the city government due to its higher income. With this, he continued, the hospital could expand its medical and health services. As to her institutions role in the community once cityhood is attained, Congressman Alfelor emphasized that non-governmental agencies such as the Jose Rizal Memorial Foundation Hospital and the city administration should continue to strive for better coordination. In this way, both institutions could continue to dispense efficient and better services to the residents. After hearing these, Sister Castor reiterated her institutions commitment to support for the proposed conversion of Dasmarias into a city.The First Cavite Industrial Estate (FCIE) sent as representative its President, Mr. Melecio Balilo. The FCIE in 1997 hosted seventy four (74) local and foreign companies which employed over eight thousand (8,000) men and women workers so as expected, Mr. Balilos concerns were about the effects of cityhood to labor, management, and the day-to-day operations of the estate.

It was Congressman Dragon who took the floor and replied to these concerns. He explained that the expected increase in the income of Dasmarias will enable it to build infrastructures such as roads, improve industrial, communication, health and medical facilities, roads, and deliver better services making it more attractive for investment.

Moreover, with the additional funds, the city will be able to improve manpower profile by conducting skill development and enhancement training. Company owners in the industrial estates would be consulted in order to tailor-fit these training and development programs to their needs. These training programs would make Dasmarineos more qualified and better equipped to handle jobs offered by companies in these estates and even anywhere. This would also benefit prospective employers because of the savings that would result by not longer from tapping outside sources for their manpower needs.

Congressman Dragons explanation appeared to have successfully assured Mr. Balilo that cityhood for Dasmarias would benefit the FCIE community and those of other industrial estates. In view of this, he declared his support for the proposal.The representative from Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) was the next to guest to be called. However, Mr. Rey Jorda, the President of the Faculty Association of the TUP satellite campus in Dasmarias was not able to make it to the hearing. The university sent a certain Mrs. Mabalot, the Assistant Director for Research and Extension, was sent in his stead. Mrs. Mabalot began her presentation with the announcement that TUP satellite campus hosted one thousand five hundred scholars. She said that this number was expected to increase in the coming years in which case, she said the university would need to construct additional classrooms in order to accommodate these scholars.

Mrs. Mabalot then announced that the TUP satellite campus supports the proposal because it would be mutually beneficial for Dasmarias and the university. Mrs. Mabalot also took the opportunity to seek the help of the Dasmarias government in facilitating their request with the FCIE to expand their existing linkage to include research and extension.Among those who also expressed their support for cityhood were; Rev. Dr. Reuel Talapian the university chaplain of the Philippine Christian University-Dasmarias and Mr. Jacinto Gutierrez the president of the DBB-B Elementary School Parents Teachers Association. Rev. Talapian declared that his group welcomed the cityhood of Dasmarias and believed that it was long overdue. For his part, Mr. Gutierrez wanted to know what additional benefits pertaining to his school and its students would the cityhood will bring. Congressman Alfelor passed the question over to Mayor Cantimbuhan who explained that with the increase in the IRA, the city administration would be able to improve roads going to schools and increase the citys Local School Board Fund that would enable it to construct new school building without bothering to ask the national government. This would also facilitate the development of the citys sports programs and increase salaries for teachers.Even the jeepney drivers plying the Dasmarias-DBB route were represented. Their president, Mr. Nonong Mallari, attended the public hearing to convey his groups concern that the problem of traffic congestion in the municipality would worsen once it was converted into a city. He also expressed the apprehension that putting up an LTO satellite office would merely bring with it the problems and corruption in that agency.

The drivers association, according to Mr. Mallari, supports cityhood for Dasmarias but he and his group did not want to be placed in the same difficult situation as their fellow drivers in Manila. Congressman Dragon replied that there was really no point in comparing Dasmarias with Manila because they have different set of problems. By putting up a satellite office in the municipality, the government agency concerned could better address the concern of the public. He said that it would be a good thing because it brings their services to the drivers. This way they dont have to go to Manila for their concerns.The Veterans Group had two representatives; they were Mr. Sayuno, the Vice Post Commander, and Mr. Samuel Guerrero, the Post Chaplain, both claimed to have represented the president, Mr. Fermin de la Cruz. Mr. Sayuno said that he was not personally against cityhood but claimed that could not confirm whether his colleagues in the association share his opinion but promised to consult his group on the proposal. Mr. Samuel Guerrero who claimed to also represent the group belied Mr. Sayunos claim because according to him there was an overwhelming approval by the members of their group to the proposed cityhood of Dasmarias. He then declared the associations support for the cityhood proposal.An associate editor of the Technocrats, the official school organ of the TUP-Cavite and a DOST scholar, Mr. Jerric Quiones, also attended the public hearing. Mr. Quiones first concern was for cityhood to generate more jobs for the graduates of colleges and universities in the municipality. However, he worried that this would cause the increase in the incidence of heinous crimes, prostitution, and illegal drug. Addressing the municipal officials, he asked how they would mitigate the situation when these concerns arise in the future.

It was Congressman Alfelor who replied and he cautioned Mr. Quinones against linking growth and development to criminality. He said that there was really no connection because such crimes as drug addiction and prostitution are caused by poverty. This simply would not happen, he said, because cityhood would bring about prosperity. This opinion was echoed by Mayor Cantimbuhan.When his turn to present came, Mr. Angelito Veluz, Barangay Captain of Barangay Zone 3 Poblacion, asked the committee what additional privileges await barangay captains once cityhood is attained. He also wanted to be assured that any progress gained through cityhood would cascade down to their respective barangays

Mayor Cantimbuhan gave the assurance that more assistance was forthcoming in the form of increased share in the IRA. At present, the Mayor said, the municipal government had difficulty securing funds for barangay tanods which number over one thousand five hundred. With the increased IRA allotment, funds would become available for their allowances and insurances. With this explanation, Mr. Veluz declared that he had no objection to House Bill No. 8931.Mrs. Petra Cantada, the president of the Dasmarias Public School Teachers Association did not wait for the question but readily manifested her groups approval for the proposal. Just like the groups that presented before her, Mrs. Cantada wanted to know the benefits the members of Dasmarias Public School Teachers Association could look forward to expect from cityhood. Upon conversion into a city, Congressman Alfelor replied, Dasmarias would have its own superintendent and even its own school board fund because it would no longer be supervised by the Provincial Superintendent.

After hearing the Committee Chairmans explanation, Mrs. Cantada reiterated her groups approval to which Congressman Alfelor answered in jest Maraming salamat, Mrs. Superintendent. Mrs. Cantada replied, Malayo pa ho yon. Congressman Dragon added that the new city mayor of Dasmarias City will be the one to decide on those additional benefits and not Mayor Recto Cantimbuhan because he was disqualified to run for a fourth term.The senior citizens group also sent their representative in the person of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Enedino Ayson. Mr. Ayson represented the organization of senior citizens of Barangay Sto. Nio II. He announced that his group supported House Bill No. 8931. He also wanted to know if there were plans to grant senior citizens of Dasmarias with additional privileges. Mayor Cantimbuhan assured him that there would be additional benefits, just like their counterparts in Manila, which would be over and above the ones mandated by the law on senior citizens.Mrs. Rosie Esguerra of the womens group, Samahan ng Kababaihan ng Dasmarias (SAKADA), asked the Committee on the effects of cityhood to the standards of living of ordinary residents particularly among the unemployed women of Dasmarias. The Committee through Chairman Alfelor replied that the increase in the IRA allotment would enable the building of infrastructures making the city more attractive for investment. This would result to the creation of additional employment opportunities for the women of Dasmarias. In addition, the city would also be able to put up its own Center for disadvantaged women where they could be trained to put up their own businesses.Due to the absence of two invited resource persons, Pastor Bruzola of the Association of Christian Churches and of Mrs. Reyes of the Pastoral Council of Dasmarias, Congressman Alfelor called on the Municipal Assessor, Mr. Regalado Andaya. Mr. Andaya was invited to debunk the allegation that cityhood would result to the increase in real estate taxes. He explained that increased taxation could occur whether or not cityhood is attained. He revealed that there was an on-going general revision of tax schedules all over the country that could result increased taxation. There was an on-going anti-cityhood campaign, he said, that anchored their opposition on the taxation issue. Urging Dasmarineos not to fall for this ruse, he made it clear to them that the resistance of the misguided few against House Bill No. 8931 had no basis at all.In addition, Mr. Andaya announced that Dasmarias has topped all municipalities in the province of Cavite in revenue collections due to its improved tax collection efforts. He believed that the gains recently realized by his department would be sustained through the computerization of the revenue collection systems which began in time for the on-going general revisions on tax collection schedules. Mr. Andaya capped his speech with an announcement for Bagumbayan residents where he assured them that once cityhood is attained, arrangements will be made with the National Housing Authority to have their tax declarations issued to them. The Dean of Students of the De La Salle UniversityDasmarias, Ms. Fely Antonio, was invited for the public hearing but failed to appear when she was called. The Committee decided to proceed with the next invited resource person and called on Mrs. Melba Malihan, the Chapter President of the Kiwanis Club of Dasmarias Central. Mrs. Malihan brought up two questions concerning House Bill No 8931; first, she wanted to know if there were limits of the city councils power, in particular its power to pass ordinances on taxation. This was obviously with reference to the issue of increased taxation upon cityhood which the Municipal Assessor had just explained. She also wanted to know if the would-be city government would be following a blueprint regarding expenditure of its funds against the different priority programs and would the academe, NGOs, and the business sector be involved in the formulation of said blueprint.In reply Congressman Alfelor said he believed that most Dasmarineos were supportive of the House Bill No. 8931 because they wanted to see their town turn into a city. They, however, have this mistaken apprehension that it would bring automatic increase taxation. To allay their fears, he announced that the Committee on Local Government would move for the amendment House Bill No. 8931 so that taxation would be suspended for five years after its approval. As to Mrs. Malihans second concern, the Committee Chairman assured her that such a blueprint was in fact attached to the bill. According to Congressman Alfelor, these documents were prerequisites and should be submitted before the bill would even be considered.Mr. Cesar Barzaga attended the public hearing for the Citizens Brigade of Dasmarias in lieu of its President Mr. Alex Agoncillo. He claimed that his group was not against House Bill No. 8931, but believed that it was not yet time for Dasmarias to become a city. First, he complained that the town reeked of pig manure. Then, he said that upon approval of the bill the city would incur excessive spending in putting up satellite office of government agencies. According to him, salaries and wages would increase once taxes were raised. This would create negative effects on business as investors would be deterred from investing in Dasmarias due to the added cost. Mr. Barzaga also expected the rise in the cost of living upon cityhood. In this connection, Mr. Barzaga quipped that he will make his decision whether or not to support House Bill No. 8931 once all those promised by cityhood were realized.After briefly responding to Mr. Barzagas concerns, Congressman Alfelor asked the representative of various civic clubs in the municipality of their stand towards the cityhood proposal. All of them; the Kiwanis Club of Dasmarias, the Rotary Club, and the Jaycees expressed support. In closing the public hearing, Congressman Alfelor declared that By the virtue of the power vested in me as Chairman, I hereby approve in principle House Bill No. 8931 subject to style.The Committee Report

Armed with a four-month worth of information from numerous debates, deliberations, and two public hearings, the Committee on Local Government considered itself ready to decide the fate of House Bill No. 8931. Deciding that the proposed City Charter for Dasmarias has satisfactorily complied with the requirements of the Local Government Code of 1991, Congressman Alfelor had a committee report drafted. The committee report recommended the approval of the bill with amendments. It was filed as Committee Report No. 1361 on December 16, 1997. Attached to the report was a memorandum which was dated December 12, 1997 by written by Atty. Arlene Dada-Arnaldo, the Acting Deputy-Secretary for Committee Affairs Department, to the Director for Plenary Affairs Bureau, Atty. Cesar Pareja, urging his appropriate action on the report.

The fact sheet that accompanied the memorandum stated that after thorough evaluation, the Committee has concluded that Dasmarias had satisfactorily met all the requirements for cityhood, as evidenced by the accompanying documents and certifications, in accordance with the conditions set by the Local Government of 1991. In support of this a copy of the minutes of the Committee meeting dated 26 November1997 was also attached. In that meeting, the motion of Congressman Plaridel Abaya for the approval of HB 8931 was put on record with Congressman Alfelor noting that the bill has already been approved in principle during the October 3, 1997 public hearing in Dasmarias.

The minutes of the Committee hearing also recorded its objection to the creation of a new legislative district for the proposed city of Dasmarias. This meant that even if converted into a city, it will continue to be under the representation of the Congressman of the 2nd District of Cavite. Moreover, in response to the apprehension expressed by most Dasmarineos during the public hearing, the committee had agreed to include a provision declaring a five-year tax moratorium after the creation of the city. These two concerns were addressed and introduced as amendments to House Bill No. 8931.

There were other amendments introduced on House Bill No. 8931. The first amendment was on page 3, Section 8, paragraph (a). It created additional positions for appointive city officials, namely: the City Education Officer, the City Youth and Sports Development Officer, and the City Public Safety Officer.

The second amendment was made on page 33, Section 38. It deleted the services word to be replaced with WELFARE. Thirdly, on page 44, Section 57, replaced the phrase simultaneously with the elections with WITHIN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT. The fourth amendment, also on the same page, was the insertion of a new Section 60 to read as follows: SECTION 60 SUSPENSION OF INCREASE IN RATES OF LOCAL TAXES. NO INCREASE IN THE RATES OF LOCAL TAXES SHALL BE IMPOSED BY THE CITY WITHIN A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS FROM ITS ACQUISITION OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE. The number five amendment was the renumbering of the succeeding sections. The sixth and the final amendment was the insertion of the word COMPONENT between the letter A and the word City.

The Period of Sponsorship and DebatesAfter it was filed on December 16, 1997, House Bill No. 8931 with the accompanying Committee Report 1361 was transmitted to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives with the recommendation for its approval with amendments. The bill was then included in the Order of Business and was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Rules in order to be scheduled for the Second Reading. At this stage, the bill is read for the second time in its entirety together with the amendments.

What followed was the sponsorship speech of the author of the bill and an open debate. There was no debate that took place on the second reading which took place on December 17, 1997, because Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Albano, Congressman of Isabela, moved to close the period of sponsorship and debate after the Secretary General read the number, title and text of the bill.

Following the approval of the motion by Deputy Speaker, Congressman Simeon Datumanong of the 2nd District of Maguindanao, proceeded to enumerate the amendments recommended by the Committee on Local Government contained in the Committee Report 1361 and moved that said amendments to be adopted. That motion was approved and so was the motion to close the period of amendments. In the viva voce voting that followed, House Bill No. 8931 with its accompanying amendments was unanimously approved.

Preparations for the third and final reading commenced immediately went under way upon approval in the second reading. As soon as the amendments were engrossed, the bill was reproduced, and copies of the final version of the bill were distributed to members of the House of Representatives. On the day of the third reading the Secretary General read only the bills number and title on the floor. After this, a roll call or nominal voting was called. At this stage of the lawmaking process, no amendment on the bill is allowed. During the nominal voting that day the affirmative votes of a majority of the Members approved bill. It was time to refer House Bill No. 8931 for concurrence of the Philippine Senate.

Disappointment in the Philippine Senate

On January 12, 1998, the approved house bill was transmitted and received by the Senate. On that same day the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Local Government. A meeting of the committee which was chaired at that time by Senator Vicente Sotto III, together with its members Senator Juan Flavier, Senator Ana Dominique Coseteng, Senator Ernesto Herrera, Senator Blas Ople, Senator Alberto Romulo, and Senator Raul Roco took place on January 15, 1998.

After having considered House Bill No. 8931 in the said meeting, the Committee prepared a report endorsing the bill for approval. It was signed by the Chairman and all the conferees except Senator Alberto G. Romulo who was not available at that time. Even ex-officio members Senator Francisco Tatad and Senator Neptali Gonzales affixed their signatures in the committee report. It was subsequently filed by the Secretary of the Legislative Committee, Emily Jane L. Ferrer on January 22, 1998 as Committee Report No. 869 and on January 28 was submitted with the recommendation for its approval with amendments. It was subsequently assigned for consideration for special order.

The next step would have been the production of copies of House Bill No. 8931 accompanied by the Senate Committee Report No. 869 for signature by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, certified by both the Secretary of the Senate and the Secretary General of the House for transmittal to the President of the Republic of the Philippines for approval. The President of the Republic would have either approved or vetoed the bill. If approved it would have been assigned a Republic Act (RA) number and transmitted to the House where it originated. The bill would have been reproduced and copies of which were sent to the Official Gazette Office for publication and distribution to the implementing agencies. It would then be included in the annual compilation of Acts and Resolutions. This, however, did not happen. The last action taken on HBN 8931 as indicated in the Senate History of Bills and Resolutions for the Tenth Congress was the submission of the Committee Report No. 869 on January 28, 1998.The dream of cityhood which began in 1989 with so much hope ended in utter disappointment for the Dasmarineos. Nine years of research and hard work have all gone to waste. Vice-Mayor Macayan described the mood in the Sangguniang Bayan of Dasmarias as that disappointment and frustration at the Senates inaction on House Bill No. 8931.

When interviewed, both Congressman Barzaga and former Vice-Mayor Macayan claimed that two Senators were responsible for the failure of House Bill 8931 in the Senate. The first one was Senator Ernesto Maceda, the Senate President at that time. He did not support the bill due to his antagonism towards Congressman Dragon. The second reason was Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. who successfully blocked the passage of House Bill 8931 because House Bill No. 8959 which sought the conversion of the Municipality of Bacoor into a city also failed. As a matter pride, he wanted Bacoor to achieve city status ahead of Dasmarias. His fellow senators were unable to convince him to change his stand because there was an unwritten rule Senators where they may not approve any legislation that has local application without the consent of a Senator from the affected locality. In the case of House Bill No. 8931, Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr. whose municipality of Bacoor failed to qualify as a city refused to give that consent.

Notes Philippine Congress, Rules of the House of Representatives, 15th Congress 2010-2013, pdf file.

Philippine Congress, Rules of Senate (August 9, 2010), pdf file.

This portion is based on the provisions of House Bill No. 8931 unless otherwise indicated. See, Philippine Congress, House of Representatives, an Act Converting the Municipality of Dasmarias into a City to be known as the City of Dasmarias, 10th Congress, 2nd Regular Session, House Bill No. 8931, (11 February 1997).

Republic Act No. 6758, AN ACT PRESCRIBING A REVISED COMPENSATION AND POSITION CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IN THE GOVERNMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, approved on August 21, 1989 as amended by Joint Resolution No. 24 or the Salary Standardization of 1994. See, http://www.gov.ph/1989/08/21/republic-act-no-6758/accessed 7 October 2014.

Permanent vacancy arises when an elective local official fills a higher vacant office, refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, dies, is removed from office, voluntarily resigns or is otherwise permanently incapacitated to discharge the functions of his office. Temporary vacancy, on the other hand, occurs when the City Mayor is temporarily incapacitated to perform his duties for physical or legal reasons such as, but not limited to, leave of absence, travel abroad, and suspension from office. See, House Bill No. 8931.

House Bill No. 8931 did not specify the number of member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The regular members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the sectoral representatives shall be elected in the same manner as may be provided by law.

Conflict of interest refers in general to one where it may be reasonably deduced that a member of a Sangguniang Panlungsod may not act in the public interest due to some private, pecuniary, or other personal considerations that may tend to affect his judgment to the prejudice of the service of the public.

House Rules of the House of Representatives, 15th Congress 2010-2013, pdf file.

Ibid.

Minutes of August 13, 1997 Committee Meeting, Committee on Local Government, House of Representatives. 042

This section was based on the Minutes of the October 3, 1997 public hearing conducted by the HOR Committee on Local Government unless otherwise indicated. See, House of Representatives, Committee on Local Government, Public Hearing on the Cityhood of Dasmarias, 10th Congress, 2nd Regular Session, 3 October 1997.

Dada-Arnaldo memorandum to Pareja dated 12 December 1997, TMS photocopy.

House of Representatives, Committee on Local Government, Minutes of Committee Meeting (November 26, 1997).

House of Representatives, Committee on Local Government, Committee Report No. 1361, 10th Congress, 3rd Regular Session, 16 December 1997.

Hector De Leon, Jr., Textbook on the Philippine Constitution 2011, Rex Publishing House: Manila 2011, 536-537.

House of Representatives, Minutes of the House of Representative General Assembly, 17 December 1997. 18-20

Senate: History of Bills and Resolutions: Tenth Congress 1995-1998 vol. 2., HBN8931, p. 411

Congressman Dragon sponsored in 1997 also sponsored House Bill No. 8960 for Imus and House Bill No. 8959 for Bacoor, but only House Bill No. 8931 reached the Senate for approval.

pg. 36