By Ruffy Magbanua
As Kagay-anons are poised to celebrate the 75th Charter Day of the cityhood of Cagayan de Oro on June 15, a daring truth comes out — that the historical note about the cityhood of this emerging metropolis is replete with error,
an act of imprudent deviation of telling the truth or accuracy.
Here are the basic facts discovered that Kagay-anons ought to know:
Who was the Congressman from 1946 to December 30,1949 who authored the city hood of Cagayan de Oro?
From 1946 to December 30, 1949, the Congressman representing Misamis Oriental was Pedro S. Baculio. During his term, he actively worked in the Philippine Congress for the conversion of Cagayan de Misamis into a city, recognizing the need for post-war development and modernization.
Although Baculio initiated the push for cityhood, it was his successor, Congressman Emmanuel Pelaez, who formally introduced House Bill No. 54 on December 17, 1949. This bill led to the enactment of Republic Act No. 521, officially granting Cagayan de Oro its city charter on June 15, 1950.
Therefore, while Pedro S. Baculio laid the groundwork for the cityhood of Cagayan de Oro during his tenure from 1946 to 1949, it was Emmanuel Pelaez who saw the legislative process through to completion.
When did the first Congress end its term and when did the second Congress start?
The First Congress of the Republic of the Philippines (under the 1935 Constitution, after independence from the United States) had the following term:
Start of Term: May 25, 1946
End of Term: December 13, 1949
The Second Congress of the Republic of the Philippines began shortly after:
Start of Term: December 30, 1949
End of Term: December 8, 1953
These congressional terms followed the regular elections and inauguration schedules set after Philippine independence was recognized on July 4, 1946.
When did sessions formally start in the second Congress?
The Second Congress of the Republic of the Philippines officially started its first regular session on January 23, 1950.
Here is a breakdown:
Term Start: December 30, 1949 (this is the date when newly elected officials, including the President and members of Congress, formally assumed office)
First Regular Session Convened: January 23, 1950
This session marked the beginning of the legislative work of the Second Congress, which was composed during the administration of President Elpidio Quirino following the 1949 national elections.
If the second congress didn’t have jurisdiction over the enrolled bill of the city hood of Cagayan de Misamis in December 17, 1949 ,is it possible that Congressman Pelaez merely filed a resolution to change the name of Cagayan de Misamis City to Cagayan de Oro City considering that from January 23,1950 ,the first day of session and few months before June 15,1950,it’s charter day that it is impossible to finish the city hood bill in just a few months?
It is both possible and historically plausible that Congressman Emmanuel Pelaez initially filed a resolution—or even a separate bill—merely proposing to change the name of “Cagayan de Misamis” to “Cagayan de Oro” rather than initiating the cityhood process from scratch in early 1950.
Here’s why:
- Timeline Constraints
The Second Congress only convened its first session on January 23, 1950.
Republic Act No. 521, which granted cityhood to Cagayan de Oro, was signed into law on June 15, 1950.
The process of enacting a full city charter law—including drafting, committee referrals, readings in both chambers, and bicameral approval—typically takes several months to a year, making a six-month window unusually short for an entirely new bill. - Likely Legislative Scenario
There may have already been a prior cityhood bill drafted or passed in the late First Congress, possibly under a different name (“Cagayan de Misamis City”).
Pelaez, upon assuming office at the start of the Second Congress, may have filed a resolution or supplemental bill to amend the proposed name to “Cagayan de Oro” before the final enactment.
This would explain how the city charter could be completed within months of the Second Congress’ start—because the main legislative effort predated it, and Pelaez’s contribution was corrective or symbolic. - Supporting Context
Changing a city name typically requires less legislative effort than passing a full city charter.
The name “Cagayan de Oro” was already used informally or culturally, and aligning the city’s official name with public usage would have been politically popular and practically straightforward.
Conclusion
It is reasonable to infer that the major legislative work on the cityhood of Cagayan de Misamis may have started during the First Congress, and Congressman Pelaez’s role at the beginning of the Second Congress may have focused on finalizing or renaming the city—rather than initiating a full cityhood bill from scratch.
