WHEREAS, many pre-war officers and employees in the civil service of the National, provincial, city, and municipal governments have not as yet been reinstated to the service; and

WHEREAS, as a matter of justice and in fairness to such officers and employees they should be given preference or priority in appointments to civil service positions in the Government;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MANUEL ROXAS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby ordain:

1. That officers and employees who were in the civil service of the National, provincial, city, and municipal governments in December, 1941 should be given preference in filling positions in the said governments;

2. That whenever a person who is not a pre-war officer or employee is appointed to any position in any bureau or office, the appointing officer must show that no pre-war officer or employee of such bureau or office who is qualified and willing to accept appointment is available or that sufficient legal cause exists against the reinstatement of such pre-war officer or employee.

The priority herein given to 1941 civil service officers and employees shall terminate on August 15, 1946.

Done in the City of Manila, this 15th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and forty-six, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the first.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EMILIO ABELLO
Chief of the Executive Office