township by the council thereof. [1397-63.] S ECTION  2394 . Ends to be Accomplished in Administration of Law. — The constant aim of provincial governors, provincial boards, and of the Secretary of the Interior in exercising the powers conferred upon them in the administration of the affairs of the non -Christian inhabitants shall be to aid these people to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary for successful local popular self-government, and their supervision and control over such people shall be exercised to this end, and to the end that law,  order, and individual freedom may be maintained. [1397-64.] SECTION  2400 . Title of Chapter . — This chapter shall be known as the Charter of the City of Manila. SECTION  2401 . Corporate Character of City of Manila . — The city of Manila constitutes a political body corporate and as such is endowed with the attribute of perpetual succession and possessed of the powers which pertain to a municipal corporation, to be e xercised in conformity with the provisions of this charter. EAcTDH SECTION  2402 . Seal and General Powers of City . — The city may have a common seal, and alter the same at pleasure, and may take, purchase, receive, hold, lease, convey, and dispose of real and personal property for the general interests of the city, condemn  private property for public use, contract and be contracted with, sue and be sued, and prosecute and defend to final judgment and execution, and Copyright 2012 CD Technologies Asia, Inc. and Accesslaw, Inc. Philippine Law Encyclopedia 2011 704 TITLE  XIII Chartered Cities The City of Manila CHAPTER  50 PRELIMINARY  ARTICLE Title of Chapter ARTICLE  I General Provisions