SC upholds 16 new cities

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC), in a 7-6 vote with two abstentions, has reversed itself anew as it declared constitutional the laws that converted 16 municipalities into cities.

With the ruling, the SC granted the motion for reconsideration filed by the 16 municipalities whose laws had earlier been declared unconstitutional.

Declared as valid and constitutional are Republic Act No. 9389 (Baybay City in Leyte), RA 9390 (Bogo City in Cebu), RA 9391 (Catbalogan City in Samar), RA 9392 (Tandag City in Surigao del Sur), RA 9393 (Lamitan City in Basilan), RA 9394 (Borongan City in Samar), RA 9398 (Tayabas City in Quezon), RA 9404 (Tabuk City in Kalinga), RA 9405 (Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur), RA 9407 (Batac City in Ilocos Norte), RA 9408 (Mati City in Davao Oriental), RA 9409 (Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental), RA 9434 (Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte), RA 9435 (El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental), RA 9436 (Carcar City in Cebu), and RA 9491 (Naga City in Cebu). Read more