to extend over any number of municipalities, townships, municipal districts, or other minor polit ical divisions or places not included in the jurisdiction of a justice of the peace already appointed; and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance and Justice, the Governor-General may, with the approval of the Upper House of the Philippine Leg islature, combine the offices of justice of the peace for two or more such jurisdictions already established, and may appoint to the combined jurisdiction one justice of the peace and one auxiliary justice, at a salary not to exceed seventy-five per centum  of the sum of the salaries of the combined positions. [2409-2.] SECTION  236 . Jurisdiction of Justice of Peace as Affected by Territorial Changes . — When a new political division affecting the territorial jurisdiction of a justice of the peace is formed or the boundaries limiting the same are changed, the Governor-Gener al may, in the absence of special provision, designate which of the justices and auxiliary justices within the territory affected by the change shall continue in office; and the powers of any others therein shall cease. [2441-1.] SECTION  237 . Oath of Office of Justice of Peace . — The oath of office of the justice of the peace shall be the same in substance as that prescribed for a judge of first instance. Said oath shall be filed with the clerk of the Court of First Instance in the  province and shall be there preserved. [136-7.] SECTION  238 . Tenure of Office . — A justice of the peace having the requisite legal qualifications shall hold office during good behavior unless his office be lawfully abolished or merged in the jurisdiction of some other justice. [2041-1.] SECTION  239 . Qualifications for Office of Justice of Peace . — No person shall be eligible to appointment as justice of the peace or auxiliary justice unless he shall be (1) at least twenty-three years of age; (2) a citizen of the Philippine Islands or of t he United States; (3) of good moral character; and (4) admitted by the Supreme Court to practice law, or be a person who has at least finished the courses of legal study in a recognized school, or shall have passed the civil-service examination for clerk of  court, or an examination to be held in each province before a board composed of the judge of the Court of First Instance, the provincial fiscal, and a practicing lawyer appointed by the judge, under rules and regulations to be prescribed by the Attorney- General with the approval of the Secretary of Finance and Justice. 83 Copyright 2012 CD Technologies Asia, Inc. and Accesslaw, Inc. Philippine Law Encyclopedia 2011