peace of Iloilo and Cebu shall each be allowed two clerks at the expense of those respective municipali ties. [1741-2.] The justices of the peace at the provincial capitals of Palawan and Batanes shall serve as clerks of the Court of First Instance in their provinces, without additional compensation. [2617.] Exercise of Functions of Justices of Peace SECTION  246 . Miscellaneous Powers of Justice of Peace . — A justice of the peace shall have power anywhere within his territorial jurisdiction to solemnize marriages, authenticate merchants' books, administer oaths, and take depositions and acknowledgments;  and in his capacity as  ex officio  notary public may perform any act within the competency of a notary public. [2041-3.] SECTION  247 . Attendance at Court — Permission for Justice to Pursue Other Vocation. —  A justice of the peace or auxiliary justice shall be present as often as the business of his court requires; and a justice of the peace shall be present at least once eac h business day at an appointed hour in his office or at the place where his court is held, but he may during his incumbency, with the permission of the judge of first instance of the district, pursue any other vocation or hold any other office or position. No justice or auxiliary justice may act as the attorney for any party to a cause commenced in his court or elsewhere except by special permission of the said judge. [1627-29.] SECTION  248 . Hearing of Cause at Place Other than Office of Justice of Peace . — Upon written request of both parties to a cause, a justice of the peace may hear the same at any suitable place in his jurisdiction; and in such case his necessary travel expen se from his official station to the place of trial, and upon return therefrom, not exceeding two and one-half pesos per day in all, may be taxed as costs, but if the trial of more than one of such cases is requested in a particular locality, he shall arran ge to try them as nearly as possible at the same Copyright 2012 CD Technologies Asia, Inc. and Accesslaw, Inc. Philippine Law Encyclopedia 2011 86 ARTICLE  II