Why is August 25, 2026, a “non-working special public holiday” in Iloilo City?
The date happens to be the 89th anniversary of the formal inauguration of Iloilo City Charter by virtue of Commonwealth Act (CA) 158 passed by the Philippine Assembly on November 9, 1936 and signed by President Manuel L. Quezon.
CA 158 provided for a mayor to be appointed by the President for a 6-year term, and 7 councilors for 3-year term, all could be “removed anytime”.
By then, Iloilo as a chartered city were comprised of the city proper, La Paz, Molo, Mandurriao and Arevalo.
Then came the US-sponsored “Philippine Independence” Proclamation on July 4, 1946 through the Philippine Commonwealth and Independence Act (the Tydings-Mcduffie Act).
Republic Act (RA) 276, approved on June 15, 1948 amended CA 158 by increasing the number of councilors from 7 to 10, 5 still appointed and 5 elected by popular vote.
RA 276 was in turn amended by RA 365 with the addition of an “appointed vice mayor” to the existing mayor and 10 councilors.
On April 29, 1955 Ilongos for the first time became eligible to vote for their city mayor, vice mayor and 10 councilors with the passage into law of Republic Act (RA) 1209, which amended RA 365 of June 9, 1949.
RA 1209 emanated from a bill authored by Rep. Rodolfo Ganzon of Iloilo’s 2nd district and signed into law by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay on April 29, 1955.
A major reconfiguration of the local administrative and political subdivisions happened as consequence of the EDSA People Power Revolution of February 1986.
The 1987 Constitution was ratified in February of the same year and elections for 24 senators were held in May, the top 12 getting the 6-year term, while those ranked 13-24 got the 3-year term.
As a highly urbanized city, Iloilo became eligible as a lone congressional district. Lawyer Rafael Lopez-Vito was elected the first Representative of Iloilo City lone district in the May 1987 elections.
Today, under RA 7160 (the Local Government Code) passed on October 10, 1991, Iloilo city voters elect 12 councilors at-large, as well as an ex-officio councilor representing the city barangays, and another representing the youth (SK). || JFT
