High Court asked to reverse decision on cityhood

March 15, 2011

ANGELES CITY — City Hall employees here appealed to the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its decision upholding the constitutionality of laws converting 16 municipalities into cities.
During their flag raising rites on Monday, City Hall employees wore shirts printed with “Stop the illegal conversion of municipalities – League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).”
In his speech, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan expressed his dismay on the SC for reversing its decision for the third time favoring the conversion of the towns into cities.
“Unfortunately, it creates a perception that our Supreme Court justices are not studying the cases carefully and meticulously,” he said.
Pamintuan, who is currently the public relations officer of LCP, said the reversal of a final decision is setting “a bad precedent and will disturb the well-established legal principles on finality of judgment.”
Pamintuan said he is worried that this move will result in a decrease in the internal revenue allotment (IRA) share of Angeles in favor of the new cities.
“Because of the SC decision, some of our programmed projects this year would be jeopardized as our share of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) would be significantly reduced,” Pamintuan said.
The City Government will be losing up to P32-million share from the IRA every year due to the conversion of the 16 municipalities into cities, he added.
The 16 new cities are Lamitan, Basilan; Tabuk, Kalinga; Bayugan, Agusan del Sur; Batac, Ilocos Norte; Mati, Davao Oriental; Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; Carcar, Cebu; El Salvador, Misamis Oriental; Naga, Cebu; Baybay, Leyte; Bogo, Cebu; Catbalogan, Western Samar; Tandag, Surigao del Sur; Borongan, Eastern Samar and Tayabas, Quezon.
El Salvador has an annual income of P17 million and about 17,000 residents, Pamintuan said.
Last week, city mayors belonging to the LCP marched along Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila to dramatize the filing of their motion for reconsideration.
In a motion for reconsideration, the LCP said the SC had no jurisdiction anymore to issue its February 15 resolution, declaring constitutional the 16 cityhood laws because there was no longer any controversy to settle.
“No province, city, municipality or barangay shall be created, divided, merged, abolished or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with the criteria established in the Local Government Code and subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected,” the LCP said, quoting the Constitution.
It added that the cityhood laws violated Republic Act 9009, which amended the Local Government Code six years before the cityhood laws and increased the annual income requirement for conversion of a municipality into a city from P20 million to P100 million.
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2011/03/14/high-court-asked-reverse-decision-cityhood-144819

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com