Filling of Special Vacancies in Local Legislative Bodies.
Section 8
SEC. 8. Filling of Special Vacancies in Local Legislative Bodies.—Vacancy occurring in Board or Council as a consequence of the preceding Section shall be filled automatically by the Board or council member who obtained the second highest number of votes, or if the provincial, city or municipal board members are elected by districts, the second highest percentage of total votes cast in the last election. Succeeding vacancy or vacancies as a result of such succession shall be filled automatically by other members as ranked on the basis of the number of votes or percentage of votes received. Vacancies occurring in the board or council created through death, resignation, permanent incapacity, removal from office or as a consequence of the preceding paragraph prior to sixty days of a presidential election shall be filled by special election coinciding with such presidential election. Any person so elected shall be last in the ranking of board or council members. If the vacancy occurs after such period, the President alone, in the case of elective provincial and city officials and the provincial governors in the case of elective municipal officials, shall appoint qualified person belonging to the political party or faction of the officer whom he is to replace, upon recommendation of the said political party or faction and who shall serve the unexpired term of the office: Provided, That in cities where councilors are elected by district, the qualified person shall come from the same district where the vacancy exists. Such appointment shall be made within fifteen days after the recommendation of the respective political party or faction has been received. In case of temporary vacancies, the provisions of existing laws shall continue b be applicable.