The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) on Monday made a last-ditch effort to convince the Supreme Court (SC) to reverse its December 22, 2009 ruling that declared as valid and constitutional 16 new republic acts converting 16 towns into cities.

In a statement, the LCP National Executive Board said the time has come for the SC to rectify its mistake by changing or taking back its decision exempting the 16 new cities from a law that requires towns to have an annual income of P100 million to vie for cityhood.

The 122-member league issued the statement as the SC is expected to rule on its motion for reconsideration in Tuesday’s full court session.

Basically, the LCP was concerned that the existing cities would suffer a reduced share in the Internal Revenue Allotment – a subsidy given by the national government to local government units – with the creation of additional cities presumably with low income.

The SC, in a close 6-4 vote, granted last December the second motion for reconsideration filed by the towns that lost their city status because of the high tribunal’s decision on November 18, 2008, which found their “cityhood laws” unconstitutional.

The 16 towns converted into cities under various Republic Acts are Baybay in Leyte; Bogo in Cebu; Catbalogan in Samar; Tandag in Surigao del Sur; Borongan in Eastern Samar; Tayabas in Quezon; Lamitan in Basilan; Tabuk in Kalinga; Bayugan in Agusan del Sur; Batac in Ilocos Norte; Mati in Davao Oriental; Guihulngan in Negros Oriental; Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte; Carcar in Cebu; El Salvador in Misamis Oriental; and Naga in Cebu.