A city is
a political unit of a more urbanized and developed community than
a municipality. Highly urbanized cities have a minimum population
of 150,000 with the most recent income of at least 50 million
pesos. The Department of Local Government may declare a place
a highly urbanized city within 30 days after it passes the criteria.
Makati is an exception and by its own choice has remained a municipality.
City Officials
have a similar function and powers to municipal officials.
Chartered
cities are independent from provinces. The mayor there has many
functions that match those of governors.
Governors
and mayors wield considerable influence. Many governors in those
provinces where control of the central government is weak are
said to have their own private armies and mayors have immediate
control over the police force of a city. This direct control of
the mayors over the police forces was re-established by the Aquino
government after Marcos had integrated the police into the military.
However, the
local police are not the only armed force with police powers in
the Philippines. There is also the Philippines Constabulary which
is under the control of the Department of Defense, and which is
highly centralized. Many of the more dangerous police tasks are
handled by the constabulary.
