Local government in the Philippine islands,

AGUINALDO'S PROCLAMATION

346

in which he shall enter not only the description of each
person, but the services he renders. There shall be an
agreement with the chief to furnish clothing for the force
and the daily subsistence necessary, according to the rank
of each one, an amount which shall be previously fixed by
the junta and be taken from the town funds.
RULE 17.-The military commander of the province
shall agree with its chief and the chiefs of the respective
towns on the military instruction of the forces in question.
OF THE CONDUCT OF TRIALS, CIVIL REGISTERS,
AND THE POLL
RULE 18.-The chief of the town as judge, and the
commissioner of justice as secretary, shall direct the proceedings which may be instituted against any citizen, beginning with a clear and concise statement of the act, the
subject-matter of the trial, and the indispensable investigations to ascertain and secure the true culprit, concluding
with a precise and categorical declaration or statement of
the latter and of the witnesses for the prosecution and for
the defense.
Antiquated practices and formalities, which serve no
other purpose than to fill papers and make the course of
the trial interminable, shall be avoided.
RULE 19.-When the judge is of the opinion that there
are no further investigations to be made, he shall forward
the record, with the accused, to the provincial council,
which shall appoint a "ponente" (see note) to examine the
proceedings and report that the investigations have concluded, or that others are to be made, in the latter case
giving the necessary orders to the chief of the town to
supply any deficiencies observed.
RULE 20.-The proceedings having been completed,
the council shall order the accused to appear at a public
hearing; and, after the "ponente" has read a succinct and
classified statement of the process, the accused, or persons
whom he may designate for his defense, shall be heard,
and decision shall be pronounced after due deliberation.
An appeal from this decision lies with the commissioner of
justice to congress.
RULE 21.-The Spanish penal code, with the provisional law for the application of its provisions in these
islands, shall be in force temporarily until the revolution
shall triumph, in so far as it is not opposed to the decrees
of the Government.