Local government in the Philippine islands,

420 LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

aged fifteen thousand pesos or more, but less than thirty
thousand pesos, during the last three years, and shall have
six councilors; of the fourth class, those the annual receipts of which averaged five thousand pesos or more, but
less than fifteen thousand pesos, during the last three
years, and shall have six councilors; of the fifth class,
those the annual receipts of which averaged less than five
thousand pesos during the last three years, and shall have
four councilors: Provided, That the councilors elected at
the last general election in each municipality shall continue
to hold office during the term for which they were elected,
and the reduction or increase of the number of councilors
in accordance with the classification of municipalities prescribed in this Act shall take effect beginning with the
general election of nineteen hundred and twenty-eight.
SEC. 2171. Change of amount of receipts as affecting classification of municipalities.2-Beginning with the
year nineteen hundred and twenty-five, and for each period of three consecutive years after said date, the Secretary of the Interior shall order the classification of the
municipalities readjusted in accordance with the rules
established in the last preceding section.
SEC. 2172. Additional councilors for municipality
passing to higher class.-In case the class of a municipality
shall be raised the additional councilors appropriate to its
new class shall be obtained by electing, at the regular election next following the change, one-half of the total number of councilors prescribed for municipalities of that class
and at each succeeding election an equal number. During
the interim between the change and the seating of the
councilors first elected thereafter the council shall consist
of the former number of councilors. After the seating of
said first elected councilors and until the seating of those
next elected it shall consist of a number midway between
the former number and the number prescribed for the new
class.
SEC, 2173. Reduction in number of councilors for
municipality passing to lower class.-In case a municipality is reduced in class all of the councilors in office shall
be allowed to serve out their full terms, except that in case
of death, resignation, or removal of any such councilor the
vacancy thereby caused shall not be filled unless such
vacancy reduces the number of councilors below that prescribed for the new class, in which case the vacancy shall
be filled as hereinafter in this title provided. At the elec2 As amended by Section 2 of Act No. 3261.