An Act Authorizing the Construction of a Pantheon of Illustrious Filipinos, and Providing for the Appointment of a Committee to Take Charge of the Matter

June 13, 1908

ACT NO. 1856

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PANTHEON OF ILLUSTRIOUS FILIPINOS, AND PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE MATTER

SECTION 1. The construction of a pantheon, to be known as the "Pantheon of Illustrious Filipinos," is hereby authorized for the purpose of collecting and keeping therein the mortal remains of those illustrious sons of the Philippines who, on account of the patriotism, knowledge, or other salient qualities possessed by 'them in life, attracted to themselves the respect and veneration of their fellow citizens and who, in the opinion of the committee hereinafter created, deserve the honor and privilege of reposing in said pantheon.

SECTION 2. The Governor-General shall appoint a committee composed of seven members, and fill such vacancies therein as may occur, to collect by subscription in the Philippine Islands the funds necessary for the erection of said pantheon and to expend same in said erection and for such other purposes as may be necessary as a result of said erection according as said committee may approve and the Governor-General sanction.

SECTION 3. The committee mentioned in the next preceding section shall elect its president and secretary and inform the Insular Auditor and the Treasurer of the Philippine Islands, in writing, of said election. Said committee is hereby authorized to select the site for the erection of the pantheon and to prescribe the rules that in its judgment may be advisable duly, carefully, and impartially to select the mortal remains which ought to be transferred to the Pantheon of Illustrious Filipinos, and shall, in every respect, have power to adopt all measures which may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act, subject, in all things, to the approval of the Governor-General. HSTCcD

Any public officer of the Philippine Islands shall be eligible for appointment as member of the said committee, and when such appointment shall have been made the time necessarily employed by said officer in the performance of his duties as member of said committee shall be considered as time employed in the performance of his official duties.

SECTION 4. The Insular Treasurer shall receive and safely keep all funds which said committee may collect for the erection of the said pantheon, and shall pay out same on a requisition of the president of said committee duly certified by the secretary and approved by resolution of the committee, and shall make such an accounting of his transactions to the Insular Auditor from time to time as the said Auditor may order. The Insular Auditor is hereby authorized and instructed to audit these accounts of the Insular Treasurer and of the committee referred to and to publish in the press the result of his audit if he deems it advisable to do so.

SECTION 5. The Director of Public Works and the Consulting Architect to the Commission may be required to render, without compensation or reimbursement, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in the existing laws, their technical cooperation in the survey of land or lands in connection with this matter, and in the preparation of plans of same of the pantheon, and, in general, to give their technical opinion to the committee, and the expenses which may be incurred by them in such labor shall be a lawful charge against appropriations for contingent expenses of their Bureaus.

SECTION 6. The government of the city of Manila is hereby authorized to donate the land for said pantheon, subject to the approval of the Governor-General. HAaDTI

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on its passage.

ENACTED, June 13, 1908.