Authority of the Mayor to Conduct Preliminary Examination.
Section 143
SEC. 143. Authority of the Mayor to Conduct Preliminary Examination.— (1) In case of temporary absence of the judge assigned to the municipality, the mayor may conduct the preliminary examination in criminal cases when, in his opinion the investigation cannot be delayed without prejudice to the interest of justice. (2) No examination shall be conducted unless the parties are assisted by lawyers. (3) In cases where he may conduct preliminary examination, the mayor shall, upon probable cause after examination of witnesses, have authority to order the arrest of the accused and to grant him bail in the manner and cases provided in the Revised Rules of Court and order his provisional release. (4) The mayor shall make a report of any preliminary examination so made immediately after the return of the judge assigned in the area, or upon the designation of his replacement. (5) The judge assigned in the area may review, revise, alter or revoke the action taken by the municipal mayor.