Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 461)
The Chief of the Philippines Constabulary is authorized and directed to take charge of all telegraph or telephone lines previously operated by the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army that have been or may be abandoned or turned over to him, and to manage these lines as he deems in the public interest and feasible.
Yes, the Chief is authorized to convert telegraph lines into telephone lines or vice versa whenever it is desirable for reasons of economy.
The Chief is authorized and directed to receive and give receipts for all telegraph and telephone lines or other related property turned over by the Signal Corps.
The Chief can employ experienced telegraph operators, appoint them as inspectors or subinspectors of the Constabulary, assign them to duty in a telegraphic division, and promote them based on discretion for public interest.
A telegraphic division is created within the Philippines Constabulary dedicated to operating and maintaining telegraph and telephone lines.
Yes, the Chief can enlist privates, corporals, or sergeants as telegraph or telephone operators, or for any duty connected with telegraph and telephone lines, and fix their compensation subject to approval.
Yes, the Chief may use available Constabulary personnel he deems not necessary for other duties for the construction, repair, and maintenance of these lines.
Yes, the Chief is authorized to transmit messages over the lines for private entities and charge reasonable compensation, with the tariff approved by the Secretary of Commerce and Police.
The funds must be accounted for by the Chief and turned over to the Insular Treasury as other public funds.
The Chief must submit a separate quarterly report through the Secretary of Commerce and Police to the Commission, showing personnel numbers, increases, amounts received from tolls, and other relevant information.
The Act took effect upon its passage on September 15, 1902.