Policy on Status of Government Appointments

The circular sets a uniform standard for determining the appropriate employment status for every appointment.
The CSC issues the circular in the exercise of its powers as the central personnel agency of government.
The circular governs the employment status that must be reflected when appointments are issued.

Permanent status shall be issued to a person who meets all requirements for the position to which the person is being appointed or promoted.
Permanent status requires the appointee to meet the appropriate eligibility prescribed for the position.
Permanent status is issued in accordance with provisions of law and the rules and standards promulgated pursuant to those laws.

Temporary status shall be issued to a person who meets the requirements for the position to which the person is being appointed.
Temporary status applies when the appointee does not meet the civil service eligibility requirement.
Temporary status may be issued only in the absence of qualified civil service eligible persons willing to accept the appointment.
A temporary appointment issued in the interest of the service shall not exceed twelve months.
The appointee with temporary status may be replaced sooner if a qualified civil service eligible becomes available and is willing to accept the appointment.

Co-terminous status shall be issued when the appointee’s entry into the service is characterized by:
- Confidentiality by the appointing authority; or
- Appointment subject to the appointing authority’s pleasure; or
- Appointment that is co-existent with the appointee’s tenure.
Co-terminous status may be classified as one of the following categories:
- Co-terminous with the project: co-existent with the duration of a particular project for which employment was made or subject to the availability of funds for the same.
- Co-terminous with the appointing authority: co-existent with the tenure of the appointing authority.
- Co-terminous with the incumbent: co-existent with the appointee, such that after the resignation, separation, or termination of the incumbent, the position is deemed automatically abolished.
- Co-terminous with a specific period: issued for a specific period (e.g., “co-terminous for a period of 3 years”), after which the position is deemed abolished upon expiration.
The circular emphasizes that, in the last two co-terminous classifications (incumbent-based and specific-period), what is co-terminous is the position, not the appointee.
In the incumbent-based classification, security of tenure of the appointee is guaranteed during incumbency.
In the specific-period classification, security of tenure is limited to the specific period.

For teachers, the CSC recognizes the provisional and substitute status of appointment as provided for and defined under the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670).

The CSC shall not act on any appointment when the status of appointment does not conform with the policy set in the circular.