Section 22September 7, 2007, Sec./Art. 22

Permanent Vacancy in the Office of the Provincial Governor. - (a) If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the provincial governor, the provincial vice governor concerned shall become the provincial governor. If the provincial vice governor refuses to assume the position of the provincial governor, the highest ranking sangguniang panlalawigan 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 or, in the case of his permanent incapacity, the second highest ranking sangguniang panlalawigan member shall become the provincial governor or the provincial vice governor, as the case may be.

Subsequent vacancies in the said offices shall be filled in automatically by the other sanggunian members according to their ranking as defined herein.

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

(c) The successors as defined herein shall serve only the unexpired terms of their predecessors.

(d) For purposes of this Act, a permanent vacancy arises when an elective local official fills in 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 office.

(e) 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 immediately preceding local elections.