By Danny Estacio
LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines – Weeks ago, opinions from legal offices in the province and city on the issue of highly urbanized city status became trending on social media, whether to remain the status or to return as a component city.
Edisson Sy Bang, a businessman who studied law and an active member of a civic organization, expressed his opinion on the controversial issue on Friday, Aug. 7.
According to him, as posted on social media, the legal status of Lucena City as a Highly Urbanized City (HUC) is not founded upon assumption, administrative convenience, or historical practice alone. It is supported by the Constitution, statutory law, settled principles of administrative law, the longstanding and uniform recognition of the National Government, and equitable doctrines safeguarding stability in public administration.
He added that unless and until Congress validly reclassifies Lucena City or a court of competent jurisdiction, in a final and executory judgment, declares otherwise, Lucena City remains a Highly Urbanized City under Philippine law.
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, establishes the qualifications and procedures governing the classification of cities as Highly Urbanized Cities, he stated.
He cited Article X of the 1987 Constitution, which establishes the framework for local autonomy and recognizes the distinct legal personality of local government units. The constitutional policy is not merely to create local governments but to preserve their institutional integrity, ensure stability in governance, and promote decentralization.
For decades, every branch and instrumentality of the Philippine Government has consistently treated Lucena City as a Highly Urbanized City. Such recognition has never been casual nor sporadic; rather, it has been continuous, official, and relied upon in the discharge of governmental functions.
In law, these official acts are presumed valid and effective until set aside by competent authority. Consequently, Lucena City enjoys not only the presumption of legality but also the protection afforded by constitutional principles of due process, stability of governmental institutions, and fairness in public administration, Sybang added.
“Accordingly, any interpretation of the Code that would retrospectively disturb Lucena City’s long-recognized classification would be contrary to the plain language of the statute and the legislative intent underlying its enactment”, he said.
“Any assertion that Lucena is not a Highly Urbanized City necessarily carries the burden of overcoming the strong legal presumption that every official act recognizing such status was validly undertaken”.
The executive branch has consistently implemented the law on the premise that Lucena City is a Highly Urbanized City, for more than three decades.
This long-standing administrative interpretation constitutes persuasive evidence of the proper construction of the governing statutes.
Congress has repeatedly amended the Local Government Code and enacted numerous statutes affecting local governments.
At no time has Congress enacted legislation withdrawing, revoking, or modifying Lucena City’s recognition as a Highly Urbanized City.
