Bogo City
The supreme court has once again ruled that acts making Bogo and 15 other cities an official Philippine City as invalid and unconstitutional. The vote was 6 to 5. This close vote has given some of the cities continued hope and they appear ready to file for their third reconsideration.
Some of the mayors are taking a pretty defiant attitude but the Mayor of Bogo has been quoted as saying that “We will continue to do what our lawyers tell us to do.”
I had read an online article a few weeks ago that indicated the supreme court had ruled against the cities but found no official word. I didn’t really understand the tone of the article. It was written by a Pinoy. The article was mocking the city mayors. I don’t understand why. The decision was reached a few weeks ago but the mayors got the written decision this week. It appears that blogger had the information early.
Photo of Seal of Bogo City in Front of Library.
The reason this matters is that there is a set amount of money that goes to the cities. The cities also are able to collect more taxes. The Constitution of The Philippines, often called the Charter sets the requirements for municipality’s to become cities. Charter maybe the correct word. I’m not 100% certain. There are many articles around the net referring to Cha-Cha change and that is referring to some of the efforts to change the constitution or charter.
I don’t know what filing for reconsideration does. Does that keep the new cities as official cities as long as it is still under reconsideration? I got the impression the cities can file for reconsideration three times. Seems they would be smart to do so if that keeps their funds coming. Perhaps someone will know.
I live in one of the affected cities so it is important to me that Bogo gets its city hood back. For the last week, I’ve started referring to it as a town. I’m not sure which is correct during this period of reconsideration. Bogo has signs all over town with the term city. The city seal is all around with the seal of Bogo City displayed rather than municipality.
The mayor of Bogo City has plans to develop diving locations near the city and I certainly would like to see that happen. The employees in the city also got raises based on the city hood status. Will the mayor have to now lower their salaries?
When the supreme court first ruled against the cities it seemed likely they would reverse the ruling. The cities fail to meet the income requirements of a city which is 100 million Philippine Peso per year. Bogo City meets half that amount.
I believe, next month will be the second anniversary of Bogo City becoming a city.. Last year they had a big party. I’m guessing they will again this year? I don’t know. I hope they do. Their chances seem bleak after loosing three times now but the close vote does help to keep the hopes of many high.
Popularity: 1%
Hi Rusty,
I have just been learning about cities, municipalities and barangays in the Philippines. So you are saying that if a city does not meet “the income requirements of a city which is 100 million Philippine Peso per year” then it reverts back to a municipality?
Not questioning you – just curious – where did you find out about this 100 million PHP amount? Is it an official government rule, or?
Curiouser and curiouser!
I don’t think they revert back. It probably isn’t likely they would fall back below in any case.
The constitution has the requirement of 100M to BECOME a city. I don’t know what would happen if they later fell below that amount.
The original ruling can be found here:
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2008/11/11180803.php
This may not have been clear.
I mean that if a cities income were to drop back below the P100 million they would be demoted. These cities never made it to P100 million.
Maybe I didn’t explain it well.
For Bogo and the other 15 cities to become cities laws were passed to give them expemptions from the P100 million requirement. The supreme court ruled those laws were unconstitutional.
Hi Rusty, I’m in the dark about what the criteria would be for Bogo being able to be called a city, but from my observation, I can’t imagine Bogo not being a city. It’s well maintained and has what seem to be all the trappings that other cities in Cebu has.
Well when are you going to find to stop by? Huh?
Bogo has been awarded three times, back to back as the cleanest and greenest in all of the Philippines. Sounds like quite the honor. to me.
Maybe we don’t have enough crime.
Its the income level, it should be 100 million peso but it’s only half that.
Thanks for stopping by!
Don’t worry, I’ll get there sooner or later! Really though Bogo is a great place–consider yourself lucky to have all the ammenities and still a small-town feel. One thing I’d get into trouble having a Jollibee’s so close! I love Jollibee’s…
Yeah, Jollibee’s reminds me of how McDonald’s use to be. The fries actually taste good! instead of the health food groups started suing McDonald’s for making others fat.
I can’t imagine a lawsuit like that here.
Jollibee’s is kind of expensive though, that keeps me out of there.
Hi Rusty, According to this Nov. 2008 article, it appears the cities have been ‘demoted’ to municipalities. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20081121-173541/Cities-demotion-worries-DepEd-execs
I’ve seen the word demoted many times.. I see some of the same projects our mayor wanted to implement with the extra funds still underway.
Some new lamp post, two gravel roads have been paved. There is another road being widened along with its bridge.
I haven’t actually read that the cities have applied for reconsideration again.
I’m not sure that article actually said that and it didn’t take into account that reconsideration was filed.
At first, one of the SC justices said it would likely be reversed, I think it was the chief justice.
I ‘m not saying your wrong, I’m saying I don’t know. I thought the demotion was already in effect but these improvements in the city make me wonder.
I would prefer my town to stay as a town rather than a city…there are too many crimes in the city…people tend to migrate to the city and squatters will be all over. I hope this will not happen to Bogo…look at Lapu-lapu, Talisay, Mandaue, etc.
Rusty, the Martinez who is a friend of mine here is a cousin of the Mayor.
I don’t think being designated as a city would really make the difference.
The growth might make a difference. If the growth is too fast for police too keep up with it will have an adverse affect on crime.
Davao is not full of crime. Other than the 269 unsolved murders they had there last year. Most were believed to be a part of the death squads. I don’t know if they have a lot of homeless. Bogo already has homeless down by the public market. There are a lot of structures down that way that are only used during the festival coming up later this month. They have been using those during the rest of the year. Some development is planned there that will put an end to that. They will have to go some place.
I’ve recently seen a story that indicates that Bogo City may have its own vigilante squads like Davao City is known for. I am not offering an opinion on such just there was a story in the Freeman indicating that was the case.
There is an article in the Zamboanga times that indicates the supreme court has said they will not hear additional reconsideration motions. So this is a final verdict.
The article does a good job of demonstrating how this ruling hurts the people of the town:
http://www.zambotimes.com/index.php?/archives/13443-Lamitenos-disappointed-by-Supreme-Court-final-ruling.html
please study also why the city of bogo experienced earthquake now a days. hoping for your kind response…
Hi Ailine,
Sorry, I overlooked your comment.
Since you left your comment, you know we’ve now had two of them.
I don’t know much about them. What I wrote about them can be found here:
http://heyjoe.ph/living-in-cebu/living-in-bogo/earthquake-in-bogo-round-two/2905/
Then there are links to two other stories about earthquakes including the first one.
Hi Rusty, I’ve recently met a girl from Bogo City and I plan a trip there next year toward the first part of the year. I am touched by your desire to help the hungry children there. That was a dream of mine, to go to the philippines and feed hungry children. As a matter of fact I made a deal with god that if he would get my disability approved thats what I would do. Well guess what, It was approved, either by god or by the fact that I have arthritis in my knees and ankles. Anyway I hope I can meet you there in Bogo when I get there. Thanks for being there. Sincerely, Jerry
I haven’t been able to accomplish much though. Trying to keep myself fed can be draining on my resources. lol Sometimes I have bigger ambitions than I do ability.
The problem is there are too few jobs and once a person reaches 25, finding a job becomes next to impossible. I see ads running for help wanted that usually exclude anyone over 25 or perhaps 30 if they are management jobs. A Filipino needs a skill so that they can build homes or other such thing. Wages here are very low, too low but that’s what makes the cost of living here much lower. Its the thing that makes my pension worth more money.
If that is SS disability, you’ll be able to live here if you like but it wont be easy.
Glad things are working out for you!
Rusty it is social security disability, why do you say it won’t be easy to live there on that. It is a little over $1000 per month, I’ve been told that it is plenty to live off of there. Have I been misled ? Thanks, Jerry
I think Each a new fight City specially in Bogo is a need all residense barangay to support.both economic program.
1.The problem of cebu city can be solve to this city like planting tress for firewood and charcoal
you need only 100 hectars to plant.ipil ipil tree..and can generate income 10 million see more http://ipilipiltree.blogspot.com/2010/01/why-you-invest-ipil-ipil.html