Whereas the Secretary of Finance has informed the Chief Executive that the outbreak of the war in Europe may result in the reduction of the income of the Government due to a possible decrease of customs collections caused by a reduction of imports from European countries;

Whereas it is advisable for the Government to take precautionary measures to keep the budget in balance and maintain the stability of its finances;

Now, therefore, I, Manuel L. Quezon, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, hereby order that-

1. No vacant positions shall be filled without the prior approval of the President; and

2. Until further order, no increases in salary in the same position shall be authorized.

Meritorious cases of appointments and promotions submitted by the respective chiefs of Bureaus or offices prior to September fourth, nineteen hundred and thirty-nine, will be given due consideration.

Done at the City of Manila, this ninth day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and thirty-nine, and of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the fourth.


By the President:

JORGE B. VARGAS
Secretary to the President