Local government in the Philippine islands,

CHAPTER VI

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE
MILITARY OCCUPATION
The New Era for Municipalities.-With the advent of
American occupation came changes in local government and
administration.95 This period was the beginning of the
political ascendency of our municipalities. Municipal government was first temporarily provided for under the
new regime by General Orders No. 43, Series of 1899,
which were promulgated by Major-General Otis, Commander of the American forces of occupation in the Islands.
"The right of one belligerent to occupy and govern the
territory of the enemy while in its military possession, is
one of the incidents of war, and flows directly from the right
to conquer. We, therefore, do not look to the Constitution
or political institution of the conqueror, for authority to
establish a government for the territory of the enemy in
his possession, during its military occupation, nor for the
rules by which the powers of such government are regulated and limited. Such authority and such rules are derived
directly from the laws of war, as established by the usage
of the world, and confirmed by the writings of publicists
and decisions of courts-in fine, from the law of nations..
The Municipal laws of a conquered territory, or the laws
which regulate private rights, continue in force during
military occupation, except so far as they are suspended.5 Laurel, Jose P. Cases on Municipal Corporations (Manila,
1924), Ch. I. Establishment of Local Government under American
Administration.
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