Tabuk, Kalinga

Tabuk became the Cordillera's second city after Baguio on June 23, 2007, when 17,060 voters ratified Republic Act No. 9404. On November 18, 2008, the Supreme Court voted 6–5 to revert Tabuk, among other 15 cities', status back to municipalities. However, on December 21, 2009, the court reversed its first decision, returning Tabuk and the 15 other municipalities back to cities again. It contended that these cities were not covered by Republic Act 9009 – the law enacted in June 2001 that increased the income requirement for cities from P20 million to P100 million – as proven by transcripts of Senate debates while crafting RA 9009.

But on August 24, 2010, the court made a reversal again, reinstating its November 2008 decision, making Tabuk with other 15 cities to regular municipalities again . It concluded that the Local Government Code as amended by RA 9009 should be followed, without exception.

Finally, on February 15, 2011, Tabuk and the 15 municipalities became cities again after the court made a third reversal. This time, the court acknowledged, among others, that the 16 cityhood laws amended RA 9009, effectively amending the Local Government Code itself.

After six years of legal battles, in its board resolution, the League of Cities of the Philippines acknowledged and recognized the cityhood of Tabuk and 15 other cities.

Tabuk is politically subdivided into 43 barangays. [6] These barangays are headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. All are elected every three years.

Tabuk, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Kalinga, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a city council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.