The City Charter

The charter of the City of Cebu was approved when the Philippine Congress enacted Commonwealth Act No. 58 on 20 October 1936. Senator Vicente R. Rama sponsored the bill in the Senate. The charter provided the framework for the government of the city.

The City of Cebu was formally inaugurated in ceremonies held in front of the pre-war City Hall building at Plaza Rizal on 24 February 1937. Secretary of Interior Elpido Quirino (later Philippine President) came to Cebu to attend the ceremonies in representation of President Manuel Quezon. Quirino administered the oath of office to the newly appointed mayor and members of the city council, all of who were appointed by the president to serve until their successors, in the case of the councilors, shall have been elected in the next elections. The charter at this time made the position of mayor appointive and did not provide for the position of vice-mayor.

The post of vice-mayor was created when Congress passed Republic Act No. 244 on 12 June 1948.

On 7 June 1955, Republic Act No. 1243 was approved, amending the charter by providing for the election-at-large of the mayor and the vice-mayor. The amendment also increased the membership of the city council from eight to nine. The first general election for local officials was held on 8 November 1955. The first elected city mayor was Sergio Osmeña, Jr. Ramon Duterte was elected vice-mayor and subsequently served as mayor when Osmeña resigned to run for the Philippine Congress.

On 10 June 1964, the charter of the city was again revised by virtue of Republic Act No. 3857. Among the major revisions were the creation of the position of City Administrator and the manner of electing the presiding officer of the city council from among the councilors themselves instead of the vice-mayor automatically assuming the post as stipulated in most city charters.

Since 1937, the Cebu City government has run under 22 mayors. At various turns several persons have served for brief lengths of time as Acting Mayor.

Source from City Government of Cebu.