The Manila Times
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded local government units (LGUs) that regular and special sessions of their respective councils must not be conducted outside their territorial jurisdiction, stressing that legislative proceedings should remain accessible to the public. In a statement, the DILG said council sessions are official legislative functions governed by the Local Government Code of the Philippines, which generally requires that such proceedings be held within the locality concerned. The department warned that holding sessions beyond an LGU’s jurisdiction could undermine public access to deliberations and decisions affecting residents, and may be subject to legal challenge before the courts. Officials responsible for such violations may also face administrative sanctions. However, the DILG acknowledged that exceptions may be allowed under extraordinary and compelling circumstances, such as force majeure, natural or human-induced disasters, public emergencies, or serious threats to safety and security within the LGU. In these cases, it said any temporary alternative venue must remain open and reasonably accessible to the public and all council members. It added that proceedings must be properly recorded and reflected in official minutes. The DILG also reiterated the rules on quorum, emphasizing that presiding officers must be included in determining the required number of officials present to conduct valid sessions. At the provincial and city or municipal levels, the vice governor or vice mayor should be counted for quorum purposes, while at the village level, the village head must likewise be included. The department said the guidelines are meant to uphold transparency, ensure legal order, and protect the public’s right to observe how local policies and decisions are made.
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