QuestionsQuestions (Act No. 787)
The Act defined the Moro Province as portions of Mindanao and adjacent islands west or south of a specific boundary line (starting at Point Balato on Mindanao’s north coast and tracing rivers, bays, and watershed/parallel references). The boundary relied on precise geographical markers (rivers/bays and watershed crests plus specified parallels).
Under Section 2, the Moro Province was divided into five districts: Sulu, Zamboanga, Lanao, Cottabato, and Davao (each with its own territorial description).
The capital of the Moro Province was Zamboanga. The legislative council could change the capitals of the districts in its discretion.
The Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands, with the consent of the Philippine Commission, would appoint the governor, attorney, secretary, treasurer, superintendent of schools, and engineer.
The provincial governor discharged duties under the general supervision of the Civil Governor of the Islands, to whom he reported from time to time. He also supervised faithful execution of laws by provincial/district/subdistrict/municipal officers, and he conducted semi-annual visits and an annual condition report due between Sept 1–15.
Upon complaint or motu proprio, the governor could suspend a district officer for misconduct or incompetency, require the provincial attorney to prefer formal charges, hold a due hearing, and then dismiss the charges, impose penalties (loss of pay or definite suspension), or dismiss the officer from office.
The provincial governor could give assistance with the Constabulary and municipal police to ensure prompt enforcement of court decrees and judgments.
The provincial secretary acted as governor during vacancy, disability, or absence; performed inspections of civil affairs; aided with language/customs reporting; attested official acts; recorded governor acts required by law; served as custodian of the provincial seal and records; and acted as secretary of the legislative council.
He supervised assessment/appraisal and tax collection (except customs), posted bonds, controlled provincial funds, paid only upon lawful warrants duly endorsed, rendered quarterly accounts to the legislative council with examination and certification, forwarded copies to Insular Treasurer and Insular Auditor, and required quarterly examinations of district treasurers’ books/cash.
Section 22 required the provincial treasurer’s written certification that sufficient funds were available before any contract was entered into, treating the certified sum as not subject to warrant except to meet contractual obligations. Section 23 required letting to the lowest responsible bidder after notice, with provincial engineer/legislative council authority to reject bids or modify procurement (including possible purchase of materials and supervision).
The provincial engineer would let contracts with the approval of the legislative council. No payment (partial or final) would be authorized except upon the engineer’s certificate that the amount was due.
He served as legal adviser to the provincial government and officers and the legislative council; furnished written legal opinions when requested; represented the provincial government in suits; advised municipal authorities; exercised supervisory control over district fiscals; handled prosecutions when in the public interest; and coordinated under the Attorney-General’s supervision.
He established/reorganized schools across municipalities and settlements, fixed salaries within legal limits, set curricula, supervised construction and hygiene rules for schoolhouses, requisitioned supplies, prepared reports, defined school districts, and worked toward making English the basis of instruction while allowing instruction by native teachers in Arabic/Moro or local languages.
It was composed of the governor, secretary, treasurer, engineer, superintendent of schools, and attorney, each with a vote. The governor presided; in his absence the secretary presided. Four members constituted a quorum for legislative action, and in case of tie the vote of the governor prevailed.
Section 13(j) authorized the council to collect and codify Moro customary laws (and modify/amend them) to apply in civil and criminal actions among Moros, and in specified cases involving non-Moroses and Moros. Section 13(k) authorized laws organizing district courts to decide specified categories of disputes, with required composition by race/tribe and with approval requirements for judgments.
Judgments required approval by the governor of the district where the court was held. For death sentences or imprisonment longer than ten years, execution required approval by the provincial governor.
Courts of First Instance and justices of the peace generally had no jurisdiction over civil/criminal actions arising between Moros or between non-Christians (except as later provided by legislative council). However, the Court of First Instance had jurisdiction in all habeas corpus cases, regardless of parties, to decide release/remand based on the Code of Civil Procedure provisions.