Law Summary
Definitions Relevant to Civil Service
- "Agency" covers all government units, including government-owned or controlled corporations
- "Appointing officer" authorized to make appointments
- "Class" refers to groupings of positions with similar duties and qualifications
- "Commission" denotes the Civil Service Commission
- "Examination" includes CSC-administered or delegated civil service exams
- Various terms defined to clarify positions and processes in civil service
Scope and Classification of Civil Service Positions
- Covers all government branches, agencies, and government-owned or controlled corporations
- Positions classified into Career Service and Non-Career Service
- Career Service characterized by merit-based entrance, advancement opportunities, and security of tenure
- Non-Career Service characterized by appointment based on other criteria than merit exams and limited tenure
- Career Service further divided into Open Career, Closed Career, Career Executive Service, merit-based military officers, and government corporation personnel
Organizational Structure of the Civil Service Commission
- Composed of a Chairman and two Commissioners appointed by the President for staggered seven-year terms
- Commissioners must be natural-born Filipinos, at least 35 years old, and hold a college degree
- Prohibition on practicing professions or holding business interests during term
- Commission has prescribed powers: enact rules, approve appointments (except presidential appointees), conduct audits, adjudicate disciplinary cases, issue subpoenas, and report annually to the President
Administrative Offices and Regional Presence
- Offices: Recruitment, Career and Employee Development, Personnel Planning and Evaluation, Personnel Relations, Legal Affairs, and Administrative Service
- Regional offices empowered to enforce Civil Service laws locally, conduct recruitment/examinations, and provide technical advice
Personnel Policies and Standards
- Recruitment based on merit and fitness with preference for next-in-rank internal promotions
- Qualification standards set by agencies with CSC assistance
- Civil service exam results released simultaneously nationwide
- Register of eligibles maintained to facilitate appointments
- Special exams for cultural communities to facilitate integration
- Personnel actions encompasses appointments, promotions, transfers, reinstatements, reemployment, details, reassignment, demotion, and separation
- Appointment types: permanent and temporary (max 12-month duration)
- Salary adjustments need not require new appointment but must be reported to the CSC
- Procedures for reduction in force based on fitness, efficiency, and seniority
Career Development and Employee Relations
- Policy for continuous career and personnel development with integrated national plans
- Merit promotion plans and performance evaluation systems mandated
- Commission responsible for training coordination, with assistance from academic institutions and government agencies
- Government-wide employee suggestions and incentive awards system
- Departments must maintain sound personnel relations and handle grievances expeditiously
Discipline and Appeals Framework
- Officers and employees may only be suspended or dismissed for cause after due process
- Grounds for discipline include dishonesty, neglect, misconduct, incompetence, immoral conduct, insubordination, political activity violations, nepotism, and others
- Complaints must be written and sworn to
- Penalties include removal, transfer, demotion, suspension, fines, and reprimands
- Appeal processes to the Commission and intermediate authorities defined
- Preventive suspension allowed pending investigation; reinstatement automatic if case not decided within 90 days
Prohibitions Related to Public Office
- Elective officials cannot be appointed to other government offices during their term
- Candidates losing elections barred from appointment for one year
- Politically partisan activities prohibited for civil servants and uniformed personnel except voting and non-coercive expression of views
- Limit on receiving additional compensation and accepting foreign gifts without Presidential consent
- Laborers barred from being assigned clerical duties
- No details or reassignments allowed within three months before elections
- Nepotism prohibited within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, with limited exemptions
Liability and Penal Provisions
- Appointing officers liable for unlawful appointments and related pay
- Disbursing officers prohibited from unauthorized salary deductions
- Fines and imprisonment penalties for violations of the decree and related rules
Transitory and Miscellaneous Provisions
- Government corporation permanent personnel allowed to stay pending qualification
- Appropriations to fund CSC operations included in General Appropriations Decree
- Vested rights under previous civil service laws respected
- Repeal of inconsistent laws and clauses on separability
- Decree takes effect immediately upon promulgation
The Decree establishes a comprehensive framework to professionalize the civil service in the Philippines, balancing meritocracy, administrative efficiency, discipline, and development of government personnel under the oversight of the Civil Service Commission.