1908 Proclamation Setting Special Elections for Replacement Councilor in Balayan
On 5 November 1907, one Ignacio Lainez was elected municipal councilor of Balayan, something certified by the town’s Municipal Board of Canvassers. However, the Provincial Board later certified that said Lainez declined “to qualify and take office as Municipal Councilor of Balayan on the ground of ineligibility.”
Thus, in a proclamation1 issued by James F. Smith, Governor-General of the Philippines, a special election was set to elect a replacement councilor. The full text of the proclamation is provided below:
BY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF THE PHILIIPPINE ISLANDS – A PROCLAMATION
Whereas, at the election held on November fifth, nineteen hundred and seven, in the Municipality of Balayan, Province of Batangas, Ignacio Lainez received a plurality of votes legally cast and was certified by the municipal board of canvassers of Balayan to have been elected municipal councilor of said municipality; and
Whereas, the provincial board of Batangas has certified to the Governor-General that Ignacio Lainez declines to qualify and take office as municipal councilor of Balayan on the ground of ineligibility, and there being no officer-elect to assume the said office;
Now, therefore, I, James F. Smith, Governor-General of the Philippine Islands, in pursuance of section four of Act Fifteen hundred and two, do hereby call a special election to be held on Tuesday, October sixth, nineteen hundred and eight, in the Municipality of Balayan, Batangas, for the purpose of electing a municipal councilor of said municipality. The successful candidate at this election will take office immediately after he has been declared elected by the proper board of canvassers.
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 third day of August, nineteen hundred and eight. (108609-a49)
[SEAL.]
JAMES F. SMITH
Governor-General