Section 18. Transitory Provisions: Incumbents; Vacation of Offices. —

The provision of the second paragraph of the preceding section notwithstanding, all officials in the prosecution service whose appointments are by this Decree vested in the President shall continue in office until, and shall vacate the same only upon, the appointment and qualification of the officials to whom their powers, functions and responsibilities substantially pertain: Provided, however, that with respect to the incumbent district state prosecutors, each of them shall continue in office until the appointment and qualification of the Regional State Prosecutor of the region to which his district pertains.

An incumbent who is appointed by the President to a similar or equivalent position created in this Decree shall be allowed to receive either the salary rate authorized for the position or his present salary whichever is higher.