Duties of the Director of Civil Service
- Maintain records of officers and employees in classified and certain unclassified services.
- Manage attendance and absences records.
- Provide annual reports to the Governor-General on civil service activities.
- Oversee all civil service examinations, including appointing examiners, with authority to hire external experts if needed.
- Conduct investigations with power to administer oaths and require documents.
- Prepare and certify rules for civil service enforcement, subject to Governor-General approval.
Rules for Examinations and Appointments
- Competitive examinations mandatory for most positions; noncompetitive allowed in specific circumstances.
- Separate provisions for skilled workmen and bilingual applicant examinations.
- Physical fitness examinations required.
- Credit for experience in examinations.
- Certification of eligibles to bureaus and offices.
- Probationary period before permanent employment.
- Procedures for promotions, transfers, and reinstatements detailed.
- Fixed age limits and submission of detailed applicant information mandated.
- Regulation of appointments, suspensions, separations, working hours, leaves, and travel expenses.
Bureau of Civil Service Office Provisions
- Permanent office established in Manila.
- Public buildings must be made available for examinations.
Appointment and Employment Conditions
- Appointments must comply with law and approved rules; unauthorized appointments yield no salary rights.
- Hiring for unclassified positions barred from clerical or classified work.
- Classified employees require Director approval before reassignment outside original grade or scope.
Appointment Preferences
- Preference order: natives or politically recognized Filipinos, honorably discharged U.S. military veterans, and U.S. citizens.
- Governor-General may approve appointments outside this preference.
Promotions and Examinations
- Promotion to chiefs or assistant chiefs can be made without examination if qualified employees are available unless requested otherwise.
Penalties for Examination Fraud and Corruption
- Fines up to 2,000 pesos and/or imprisonment up to one year for willful corruption or cheating in examinations.
- Same penalties apply to beneficiaries of such fraudulent acts.
Political Contributions and Activities Prohibited
- Civil service employees are not required to contribute or render political services.
- Solicitation among subordinates for political funds is prohibited.
- Violations result in removal and fines up to 1,000 pesos and/or imprisonment up to six months.
Non-Discrimination Policies
- Political or religious opinions not considered in examinations or promotions.
- Disloyalty to the United States is an absolute disqualification.
- Ineligibility for those who took arms against U.S. authority post-1901 unless covered by amnesty.
Applicant Oath Requirement
- Applicants must swear allegiance to U.S. sovereignty in the Philippines before examination.
- Oath submitted with examination application.
Classification of Officers and Employees
- Classification system based on salary ranges from Class 1 (highest) to Class K (lowest).
Appointment and Removal Procedures
- Subordinate appointments/removals by bureau heads with necessary approvals.
- Specific provisions for laborers and temporary/emergency employees.
Temporary Assignments
- Provisions for temporary substitution in case of absence or disability, with conditions on compensation.
- Additional expenses reimbursed when bond premiums are incurred.
Disciplinary Actions
- Chiefs of bureaus may reduce pay, deduct salary, or suspend without pay for neglect or violation of rules, subject to higher approval.
- Suspension pending investigation with no pay unless otherwise directed.
Authority and Powers Reserved
- Philippine Commission may make appointments/removals under its general powers.
Salary and Position Adjustments
- Filling vacancies with lower-class employees allowed, subject to salary limits.
- Bureau chiefs may adjust positions and salaries within authorized budgets, excluding certain appointments.
- Governor-General can consolidate or separate positions with salary adjustments accordingly.
Working Hours and Overtime
- Minimum of 6.5 hours work per day, excluding lunch, Sundays, and holidays.
- Work on Sundays/holidays allowed without extra pay unless authorized.
- Saturday hours may be reduced at discretion of department heads.
- No overtime payment unless specifically authorized by law.
- Different rules apply to judges and public school sessions.
Leave of Absence Provisions
- Accrued leave granted after 2 years of faithful service, with varying days depending on salary class.
- Leave may accumulate up to 5 years’ entitlement.
- Leave for visiting the U.S. allowed once every 3 years with half pay and travel expenses.
- Teachers have tailored leave provisions tied to vacation periods.
- Specific classes of employees excluded from leave benefits.
- Leave provisions applied retroactively.
Vacation and Sick Leave
- Vacation leave granted after 6 months service, with duration based on salary and role.
- Sick leave charged first against vacation then accrued leave; payment rules specified.
- Special provisions for injury in service with pay and medical expense coverage.
Death Benefits
- Unused accrued leave converted to salary paid to estate upon employee’s death.
Commutation of Leave
- Governors can commute leave to cash payment under conditions.
- Return to service requires refunding commuted leave.
- Special provisions for employees separated due to lack of work.
Leave Application Process
- Applications processed by bureau chiefs, Director of Civil Service, then department heads or Governor-General.
- Director may be authorized to grant leave.
Appointments of U.S. Residents
- Conditions for travel expenses, salary payment while in transit, required service contracts.
- Breach of contract results in salary/travel payment withholding and disqualification.
- Retirement benefits include additional half salary and transportation to the U.S. if applicable.
Exclusions
- Provisions do not apply to Supreme Court, First Instance, or Land Registration judges regarding leave and travel.
Repeal of Inconsistent Laws
- Several prior acts and amendments repealed to harmonize civil service provisions.
Effective Date
- Act effective from August 31, 1907, known as the Revised Civil Service Act.