Local government in the Philippine islands,

140 LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN TIE PHILIPPINES

vil Governor and later by the Board under the Civil Service Law.
The Board exercised general supervision over these
departments and had the power to examine all official books
and the papers of all officers at least once a year.
Under this Act, the people of the City of Manila were
given only a little share in the administration of their affairs, for the members of the Board and other responsible
officers were responsible to the Governor-General and the
Commission. The chief reason for having a board composed of appointive members was the cosmopolitan character of the population of the city. 199
In addition to the Municipal Board, there was created
an Advisory Board composed of one representative from
each of the districts into which the City of Manila was divided under the Spanish Government. At first, it was composed of eleven members; but with the creation of the districts of Santa Ana and Pandacan, the number was increased to 13 under Act 447 (August, 1902). The members of
the advisory body were appointed by the Governor-General
with the consent of the Commission. It was the duty of
this body to bring to the attention of the Municipal Board
the special needs of the city and its inhabitants. The Municipal Board could pass any ordinance fixing license fees
or incurring a liability of $10,000 (p20,000) without first
submitting the proposed ordinance to the Advisory Board.
The primary object of having this Advisory Board
was to give the residents and tax-payers of each of the
thirteen districts a share in the affairs of the city. It was
also hoped that it would greatly help the Municipal Board in
the development of the city. These expectations were not
realized; for as the Commission puts it, "instead of an aid in
199 Report of the Philippie Commission (1900-1903), p. 53.