Section 9. City Vice Mayor. —

There shall be a city vice mayor who shall be elected in the same manner as the city mayor and shall at the time of his election possess the same qualifications as the city mayor. He shall hold office for three (3) years, unless sooner removed, and shall receive a monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade Twenty-Six (26) as prescribed by Republic Act No. 6795 and the implementing guidelines issued pursuant thereto.

The city vice mayor shall:

1. Act as presiding officer of the sangguniang panlungsod and sign all warrants drawn on the city treasury for the sangguniang panlungsod;

2. Subject to Civil Service Law, rules and regulations, appoint all officials and employees of the sangguniang panlungsod, except those whose manner of appointment is specifically provided for under existing laws;

3. Assume the office of the city mayor for the unexpired term of the latter in the event of permanent vacancy;

4. Exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the city mayor in cases of temporary vacancy; and

5. Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.