QuestionsQuestions (Act No. 5)
To establish and maintain an efficient and honest civil service in the executive branches of the Philippine government, with appointments and promotions according to merit and (where practicable) competitive examinations.
The United States Philippine Commission appoints three persons to be members of the Philippine Civil Service Board.
A member must be a native of the Philippine Islands owing and acknowledging allegiance to the United States, or a citizen of the United States.
They must reside in Manila and receive an annual salary of three thousand dollars plus necessary traveling expenses; if designated as chief examiner, an additional annual compensation of five hundred dollars is provided.
Appointments and promotions by merit, and by competitive examinations where practicable.
Appointments of civilians to executive positions under specified offices including the Military Governor, the United States Philippine Commission, key island officials (Treasurer, Auditor, Collector of Customs, Collector of Inland Revenue, Director of Posts), the Civil Service Board, the bureaus of Forestry and Mines, the General Superintendent of Public Instruction, penitentiary/prison wardens, the Provost-Marshal-General, and the Captain of the Port at Manila.
The Board must provide rules for classification of offices; determine appointment rules for technical/professional/scientific positions via competitive or noncompetitive examinations; provide procedures for police/fire/guards selection; govern laborer selection; provide promotion by competitive examination; require probation; and establish open competitive exams (in the Philippines and in the United States), among others.
The Board may allow credit for previous experience and efficiency in the civil service of the Islands, estimated by the supervising officer(s), subject to limitations and only if the applicant attains a minimum average percentage fixed by the Board.
A period of probation before permanent appointment or employment is made is required.
Applicants who are citizens of the United States must be examined in Spanish; applicants who are natives of the Philippine Islands must be examined in English; whenever the Board believes knowledge of both languages is essential to efficient discharge of duties.
If applicants fail to compete after due notice of an open competitive examination to fill a vacancy, noncompetitive examinations may be held.
The Board supervises preparation, rating, and control of examinations in the Philippines under the Act, designates committee members/examiners (including those with special technical qualifications), and may employ qualified non-public persons if necessary.
They must notify the Board in writing without delay of appointments (permanent, temporary, probational), rejections after probation, transfers, promotions, reductions, resignations, and vacancies, including the date thereof; the Board keeps a record.
Payment becomes illegal; the disbursing officer does not receive credit for the paid salary/wages, and the auditing officer who authorizes payment is liable on the official bond for losses to the proper government.
Any willful/corrupt defeat, deception, or obstruction of a person’s right to examination; willful/corrupt false rating/grade/estimate/report; willful/corrupt false representations; or willful/corrupt furnishing of special/secret information to improve/injure prospects in examination/appointment/promotion. Penalty: fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, for each offense.
No civil service officer/employee may directly or indirectly give or hand over money or valuable things to promote any political object; violators face a penalty not exceeding five hundred dollars or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both, and on conviction shall be removed from office.
No inquiry or consideration may be given to political or religious opinions/affiliations for examination/promotion, but disloyalty to the United States of America as the supreme authority in these Islands is a complete disqualification to hold office in the Philippine civil service.
The applicant swears/affirms recognition and acceptance of U.S. supreme authority, commitment to obey laws/legal orders/decrees, and voluntary obligation without reservation; the oath is filed with the Secretary of the Board.