Composition and Appointment
- Comprised of a Commissioner and Associate Commissioners.
- Members appointed by the Civil Service Commission.
- Removal only for cause as provided by law.
Qualifications of Members
- Commissioner and Associate Commissioners must have qualifications equivalent to judges of the court of first instance.
Salary of Members
- Commissioner to receive a minimum annual salary of P42,000.
- Associate Commissioners to receive a minimum annual salary of P36,000.
Powers and Functions of the Merit Systems Board
- Hear and resolve administrative cases involving civil service officers and employees.
- Address grievances regarding appointments, promotions, transfers, details, reassignments, and other personnel actions.
- Mange complaints against government officials arising from abuses related to personnel actions or merit system violations.
- Investigate complaints of malpractices among civil service employees.
- Formulate rules and regulations, subject to CSC approval, to implement its functions.
- Administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and conduct investigations or inquiries.
- Authority to punish for contempt following court rules.
- May delegate hearing officers from other government departments with CSC approval.
- Maintain a small staff including lawyers and clerks appointed by the CSC Chairman.
- Receive assistance from the Office of Legal Affairs consisting of prosecutors and defense lawyers.
Functions of the Commissioner
- Serves as the Executive Officer of the Merit Systems Board.
- Implements policies, rules, orders, and resolutions approved by the Board.
- Supervises operations and internal administration.
- Prescribes operating procedures.
- Performs additional functions as assigned by the CSC.
Duties and Responsibilities of Associate Commissioners
- Share responsibility with the Commissioner for rule-making and adjudicative functions.
- Senior Associate Commissioner acts as temporary head during the Commissioner’s absence or disability.
Relationship with the Civil Service Commission
- Decisions involving removal from service are automatically reviewed by the CSC.
- CSC reviews appeals from other Board decisions.
- CSC decisions are final and only subject to court review.
Restructuring of the Office of Legal Affairs
- Divided into three divisions:
- Pool of prosecutors.
- Pool of defense lawyers providing legal assistance to civil service employees.
- Advisers to the CSC in appellate and review functions.
Effectivity
- The decree became effective upon approval on June 8, 1978.