Section 20Sec./Art. 20

Permanent Vacancy in the Office of the Provincial Governor. (a) If a permanent vacancy occurs m the office of the provincial governor, the provincial vice governor shall become the provincial governor or in case of his or her permanent inability, the highest ranking sanggunian member shall become the provincial governor. If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the provincial vice governor, the highest ranking sangguniang panlalawigan member shall become the provincial vice governor or, in case of his or her permanent incapacity, the highest ranking sangguniang panlalawigan member shall become the provincial vice governor. Subsequent vacancies shall be filled automatically by other sanggunian members according to their ranking as defined herein:

(1) A tie between or among the highest ranking sangguniang panlalawigan members shall be resolved by drawing of lots;

(2) The successors as defined herein shall serve only the unexpired terms of the predecessors;

(3) For purposes of this Act, a permanent vacancy arises when an elective official fills a higher vacant office, refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, dies, is removed from office, voluntarily resigns or is otherwise permanently incapacitated to discharge the functions of his or her office; and

(4) For purposes of succession as provided for in this Act, ranking in the sangguniang panlalawigan shall be determined on the basis of the proportion of votes obtained by each winning candidate to the total number of registered voters in the province in the immediately preceding local elections.