Proclamation of the Governor-General of the Philippine Islands No. 15

by Francis Burton Harrison

BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS―A PROCLAMATION.

No. 15.

It is hereby announced that the President of the United States did, on the twenty-ninth day of August, anno Domini nineteen hundred and sixteen, approve the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled "An Act to declare the purpose of the people of the United States as to the future political status of the people of the Philippine Islands, and to provide a more autonomous government for these islands."

Pursuant to the provisions of the said Act of the Congress of the United States, and of Joint Resolution Numbered Eight, adopted by the Philippine Legislature on February twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and sixteen, I do hereby call an election for senators to be held on Tuesday, October third, nineteen hundred and sixteen, in the senate districts respectively composed of the provinces hereinbelow named;

First District.―Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

Second District.―La Union, Pangasinan, and Zambales.

Third District.―Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Bulacan.

Fourth District.―Bataan, Rizal, Manila, and Laguna.

Fifth District.―Batangas, Mindoro, Tayabas, and Cavite.

Sixth District.―Sorsogon, Albay, and Ambos Camarines.

Seventh District.―Iloilo and Capiz.

Eighth District.―Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Antique, and Palawan.

Ninth District.―Leyte and Samar.

Tenth District.―Cebu.

Eleventh District.―Surigao, Misamis, and Bohol.

In each of the senate districts above constituted, there shall be chosen two senators, the one receiving the highest number of votes to serve for a term of six years and the other for a term of three years.

So much of the provisions of the Election Law now in force as provide for the elections of delegates to the Philippine Assembly and provincial officers, except sections five hundred and one and five hundred and two thereof, which require the filing of certificates of candidacy, is hereby declared applicable to the election of senators to be held on October third, nineteen hundred and sixteen: Provided, however, That for the purpose of registration of voters for the election of senators herein called, the provisions of sections five hundred and thirty-seven and five hundred and thirty-eight of the Election Law shall govern. Accordingly, ten days before October third, nineteen hundred and sixteen, the boards of election inspectors shall hold a meeting for the registration of voters. Inasmuch as the aforesaid Act of Congress does not change the qualifications of electors required by the present law in so far as the first election for senators is concerned, the electors at the election of senators called for October third, nineteen hundred and sixteen, shall be those whose names remain in the registers of voters used at the last general elections, after proceedings in accordance with the provisions of section five hundred and thirty-eight of the Election Law, and those presenting themselves for registration at the special meeting of the boards of election inspectors stated above, whose names may be added to such registers as possessing the qualifications required by the law now in force.

After receiving all statements of election returns from all municipalities and canvassing the votes cast in their respective provinces, as provided by the Election Law, the provincial boards of canvassers shall immediately forward a copy of the certificate of their canvass, together with a correct statement by municipalities of the number of votes cast for each candidate, to the Governor-General, who will thereupon make the final canvass of the votes cast in each senate district as shown by the respective certificates of canvass of the provincial boards of canvassers, and proclaim the result of the elections accordingly.

In case the Governor-General finds that the votes of two or more candidates receiving the highest number of votes or the second highest number of votes are tied, he will submit the tie to the Philippine Senate, forwarding the certificates of canvass and such papers as may be pertinent, for determination, in such manner as the Philippine Senate may deem proper, as to which elected candidate shall serve for six years and which for three years, or as to which of the candidates tying for the second place shall be declared elected, as the case may be.

Provincial governors will furnish a copy of this Proclamation to each of the municipal presidents in their provinces with instruction to give the same as wide publicity as possible.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Government of the Philippine Islands to be affixed.

Done at the city of Manila this thirtieth day of August, nineteen hundred and sixteen.

[SEAL.]

FRANCIS BURTON HARRISON,
Governor-General.

By the Governor-General:
JAIME C. DE VEYRA, Executive Secretary.