LOCAL GOVERNMENT | PROVINCIAL — GOVERNOR

What a governor can do

• Call upon any employment stationed or assigned in the province to address him on matters affecting the province, as well us coordinate plans, programs, and projects with said official
• Enlist the attendance of national officials stationed in the province for a meeting of elective and appointed provincial officials on the promotion of the general welfare of the residents
• Initiate proper administrative or judicial action against any national government official or employee who may have committed an offence while stationed or assigned in the province
• Pursuant to an ordinance, exercise the power of eminent domain for public use, purpose, or welfare of the poor and the landless, upon payment of just compensation
• In executing a resolution of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, to direct the provincial attorney to file expropriation proceedings against a private property needed for public use, and to immediately take possession of said private property upon making a deposit with the proper court of least 15 percent of the fair market value of the property, based on its current market value
• Upon authorization by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, to enter into contracts needed to operationalize provincial development plans
• Initiate proper administrative or judicial action against any national government official or employee who may have committed an offence while stationed or assigned in the province
• Upon authorization of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, to negotiate and secure financial grants or donations in kind to support the operationalization of provincial development plans
• Exercise supervisory authority over component cities and municipalities of the province to ensure that they are operating within the scope of their prescribed powers and functions
• Upon concurrence of the Sanggunian, to provide financial or other forms of assistance to people's organizations, NGOs and the private sector for economic, socially oriented, environmental, or cultural projects to be implemented in the province
• Choose the provincial director of the Philippine National Police from a list of three eligible candidates recommended by the PNP regional director
• Oversee the implementation of the provincial public safety plan
• Accept the resignation of municipal mayors and municipal vice mayors, mayors and vice mayors of his or her province's component cities
• Approve the leaves of absence of the vice governor, municipal mayors and municipal vice mayors, mayors and vice mayors of his or her province's component cities
• Veto any particular item or items of an appropriations ordinance, an ordinance or resolution adopting a local development plan and public investment program or an ordinance directing the payment of money or creating liability
• Appoint the mandatory and optional appointive provincial officials, subject to the concurrence of a majority of all members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and consistent with service laws, rules and regulations
• Impose preventive suspension of an elective official of a component city or municipality of the province at any time after the issues are joined, when the evidence of guilt is strong, and given the gravity of the offence, when there is great probability that the continuance in office of the respondent could influence the witnesses or pose a threat to the safety and integrity of the records and evidence

What a governor cannot do

• Exercise the power of eminent domain in the absence of an ordinance and without a valid and definite offer previously made to, and accepted by, the owner
• Enter into contracts without the prior authorization by the Sanggunian
• Negotiate and secure financial grants or donations of any kind without the prior authorization by the Sanggunian
• Authorize any local official to assume duties and the powers and functions of his or her office other than the vice governor or the highest-ranking Sanggunian member
• Veto an ordinance or resolution more than once
• Appoint heads of offices and departments of the province without the concurrence of majority of the Sanggunian members
• Engage in any business transactions with the provincial government
• Hold such interest in any cockpits or other games licensed by his or her province
• Purchase any real estate or other property forfeited in favor of the province for unpaid taxes or assessments, or by virtue of a legal process at the instance of the province Act as surety for any person contracting or doing business with the province (for which a surety is required)
• Possess or use any property of the province for personal use
• Practice his or her profession or engage in any occupation other than the exercise of his or her functions as local chief executive
• Engage directly or indirectly in any partisan political activity or use his or her official authority or influence to cause the performance of any political activity by any person or body

READ ON