SECTION  17 . Custody and Use of Great Seal.  — The Great Seal shall be and remain in the custody of the Executive Secretary, and shall be affixed to or placed upon all commissions signed by the Governor-General, and upon such other official documents and pap ers of the Government of the Philippine Islands as may by law be provided, or as may be required by custom in the discretion of the Governor-General. [1365-3.] SECTION  18 . Solemn Affirmation in Lieu of Oath . — Solemn affirmation shall in all cases be accepted in lieu of oath if the person of whom an oath is required is conscientiously scrupulous about taking an oath. SECTIONS 19. Officials Authorized to Administer Oaths . — The following officers have general authority to administer oaths, to wit:  ASHICc Notaries public; judges of courts; clerks of Courts of First Instance and the clerk of the Supreme Court; the Secretary of the Upper House of the Philippine Legislature; the Secretary of the Philippine Assembly; registers of deeds; justices of the peace an d the auxiliary justices of the peace; the governor of a province; the president of a municipality; any other officer in the Philippine service appointed by the Governor-General, Secretary of War, or President of the United States. A person who by authority  of law shall act in the capacity of any of the officers mentioned above shall possess the same power. [82-60; 136-88; 162-1, 2; 190-384; 234-2; 742-1; 809-1 (a); 1407-36; 1699-5; 1792-37; 2041-3; Comp. 2274.] SECTION  20 . Duty to Administer Oaths . — With the exception of notaries public, justices of the peace, and clerks of court, officers authorized to administer oaths are not obliged to administer oaths or execute certificates save in matters of official busin ess; and with the exception of notaries public, the officer performing the service in such matters shall charge no fee unless so provided by law. [1165-2; 1407-36; 2139-2; Comp. 3388 to 3394.] ARTICLE  VII Oaths of Office ARTICLE  VI Administration of Oaths in General Copyright 2012 CD Technologies Asia, Inc. and Accesslaw, Inc. Philippine Law Encyclopedia 2011 6