Title
Establishing Mountain Province and Goverce
Law
Acts No. 1876.
Decision Date
Aug 18, 1908
Act No. 1876 establishes the Mountain Province and its subprovinces, defining their boundaries and establishing officials, compensation, and governance, while also transferring funds and changing territorial boundaries, with the Act going into effect upon executive order.

Law Summary

Provincial and Subprovincial Executive Officers and Compensation

  • Appointment of a governor for the entire Mountain Province residing in Bontoc.
  • Appointment of lieutenant-governors for each subprovince, with specified capitals and compensation caps varying from 2,800 to 3,600 pesos per annum, some with provided quarters.
  • Appointment of a provincial secretary-treasurer and supervisor residing at the provincial capital, with respective maximum salaries.
  • Approval and recommendation process for subordinate employees by the provincial board and Executive Secretary.

Governmental Organization and Powers of Lieutenant-Governors

  • The Mountain Province is governed under the Special Provincial Government Act No. 1396 and Township Government Act No. 1397.
  • Lieutenant-governors have powers and duties as prescribed in specified sections of the Special Provincial Government Act within their subprovince territories.

Financial Provisions and Fund Transfers

  • Transfer of all unexpended balances from respective provincial and subprovince treasuries, including non-Christian inhabitants funds, to the treasury of the Mountain Province for its use.
  • Mountain Province entitled to a share of ten percent of internal revenue collections, replacing existing provisions under Act No. 1853.

Internal Revenue Distribution Based on Population

  • Auditor to allocate internal revenue funds based on approximate population counts certified by the Secretary of the Interior and approved by the Philippine Commission.
  • Population figures for Kalinga and Nueva Vizcaya subprovinces subject to correction after enumeration.

Addition to the Territory of Nueva Vizcaya

  • Addition of the territory inhabited by Ilongo or Ibilaos in the former Spanish comandancia of Binatanagn to the Province of Nueva Vizcaya.
  • Boundaries of this added territory may be adjusted by executive order.

Compensation for Constabulary Officers Acting as Executives

  • Constabulary officers assigned as governor or lieutenant-governor may receive additional compensation not exceeding the salary of the position they serve.

Amendment to the Mountain Judicial District Composition

  • Modification of the Mountain Judicial District to consist of the Mountain Province and the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and La Union.

Courts of First Instance: Locations, Terms, and Jurisdiction

  • Specification of times and places for regular court sessions in the Mountain District including subprovinces and provinces.
  • Process service by the provincial governor, sheriffs, or authorized deputies.
  • Exclusive jurisdiction rules established to resolve jurisdictional conflicts between courts of adjoining districts or provinces, especially favoring courts with the first acquired jurisdiction.
  • Special jurisdiction preference given to courts of the Mountain District when accused belong to non-Christian tribes.

Continuation of Pending Cases Despite District Boundary Changes

  • Pending cases in Courts of First Instance at the time of the Act’s effect remain under jurisdiction of those courts until final resolution, regardless of boundary changes.

Establishment of a Provincial and Insular Prison at Bontoc

  • Creation of a prison for the Mountain Province at Bontoc for confinement of provincial prisoners and Insular prisoners from non-Christian tribes in Mountain Province or Nueva Vizcaya.
  • Maintenance and transportation costs of Insular prisoners borne by Mountain Province or Nueva Vizcaya appropriations.

Repeal of Inconsistent Laws

  • All laws or parts of laws conflicting with provisions of this Act are repealed.

Effectivity and Enforcement

  • The Act shall take effect wholly or partially as determined by executive order of the Governor-General.
  • Expedited enactment acknowledged due to public necessity under specified procedural law.

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