Law Summary
Constitutional Context on Public Service Employment
- Competitive examinations are prescribed by the Constitution as the primary method for determining merit and fitness for public employment.
- The Constitution allows for other methods to be adopted aside from competitive examinations.
Rationale for Granting Civil Service Eligibility to Honor Graduates
- Students who graduate with honors, particularly those who were scholars, demonstrate sufficient merit and fitness for public service roles.
- Graduating with honors under competitive academic conditions is considered equivalent to passing competitive civil service exams.
- Immediate absorption of honor graduates into public service is intended to enhance civil service quality.
Scope of Eligibility and Coverage
- Honor graduates of four-year or longer courses from recognized, reputable schools, colleges, and universities may be granted civil service eligibility.
- Eligibility grades:
- Second Grade Civil Service Eligibility for positions requiring knowledge and skills outside their field of study.
- First Grade Civil Service Eligibility for positions within their field of study.
Definition of Honor Graduate
- Honor graduates are defined as students who finish their courses with at least cum laude honors.
Granting and Prescribing Civil Service Eligibility
- The civil service eligibility granted under this law shall be prescribed as outlined in Section 19 (9) of Presidential Decree No. 807.
Implementation and Rulemaking Authority
- The Civil Service Commission is tasked with promulgating rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this law.
Effectivity and Retroactivity
- The decree takes effect upon its approval.
- Honor graduates from the school year 1972-73 and subsequent years are eligible for civil service eligibility under this law.
Signatories and Authority
- Signed into law by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on March 11, 1976.
- Administrative oversight by the Presidential Executive Assistant, Jacobo C. Clave.