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MANILA, Philippines - For the third time, the Supreme Court (SC) has reversed itself on the constitutionality of laws passed by the 11th Congress that paved the way for the conversion into cities of 16 municipalities.

The Court reverted back to its second ruling issued in December 2009, which declared the cityhood laws constitutional and reversed a supposed final ruling in November 2008.

BATAC, Ilocos Norte (15 August) -- The League of Cities of the Philippines will challenge the status of newly converted cities and stop the plebiscites scheduled to ratify the laws that would create more cities in the country.

According to Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, the LCP has engaged the services of a law firm that would seek a court injunction to stop scheduled plebiscites.

MANILA, Philippines - Three more cities have been created - two in Luzon on Saturday and one in the Visayas on Thursday -- and their proclamation as such would entitle them to a bigger share of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) fund.

Despite questions about the viability and its readiness, Borongan, the capital of Eastern Samar province, was proclaimed a city at about 11:20 p.m. on Thursday.

About 300 people gathered at the plaza as city officials released balloons and lighted fireworks to celebrate the occasion.

ILOILO City: The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) will ask President Arroyo to veto the bill on the conversion of 12 municipalities into cities. LCP President Mayor Jerry Treñas said he was dismayed by the Senate’s approval on third reading of the bill.

Earlier, Treñas said the LCP would be campaigning against reelectionist senators who would vote for the conversion of the 12 towns into cities.

The LCP will hold its 30th National Executive Board Meeting on Thursday, February 9, at the CSB Hotel in Malate, Manila. Treñas said they would discuss their next moves.

The Senate approved yesterday 12 House of Representatives bills creating 12 cities throughout the country. Before this legislative fiat, there were 118 cities in the nation. This brings to 130 the total number of cities in the Philippines.

This came after Sen. Alfredo S. Lim, chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, successfully led on the Senate floor the approval of the 12 House bills that had not been approved by three past Congresses.