Title
Revised CSC Rules on Appointments and Personnel
Law
Csc Memorandum Circular No. 40 S. 1998
Decision Date
Dec 14, 1998
The Civil Service Commission revises and consolidates rules and guidelines on appointments and personnel actions to respond to changing needs in personnel administration, adopting new forms and requirements for appointments and defining various employment statuses and appointment types.

Law Summary

Appointment Forms and Submission

  • The revised CS Form 33 (with Filipino and English) is used for career and non-career appointments except casuals, which use the Plantilla Appointment Form.
  • Appointments must be submitted in triplicate, properly signed, and show conformity to approved position titles and salary grades.
  • Non-compliance with requirements leads to disapproval of appointments.

Common Requirements for Regular Appointments

  • Appointments must be original, signed, position title consistent with the Position Allocation List and the Index of Occupational Service, and indicate salary grade.
  • Employment status must be stated (permanent, provisional, temporary, substitute, co-terminus, casual, contractual).
  • Correct nature of appointment must be filled (original, promotion, transfer, reemployment, etc.).
  • Vacant positions for filling must be published per RA 7041 unless exempted.
  • Personnel Selection Board (PSB) evaluation required except for certain appointments like substitues, faculty, entry laborers, non-career staff.
  • Personal Data Sheet (CS Form 212) must be attached and properly accomplished.

Employment Status Defined

  • Permanent: Appointment to a fully qualified individual meeting all requirements.
  • Temporary: For those without appropriate eligibility but meet education and experience; limited to 12 months.
  • Substitute: Covers temporary replacements during leaves or absence lasting 3 months or more.
  • Co-terminus: Based on trust or tied to the duration of project or appointing authority's term.
  • Contractual: For specific work or job limited not exceeding one year.
  • Casual: For essential services with insufficient regular staff.

Employment Status of Teachers

  • Regular Permanent: Fully qualified teachers.
  • Provisional: Teachers who meet all requirements except eligibility.
  • Substitute: Temporary replacement when regular teacher is absent.

Nature of Appointment

  • Original: Initial entry requiring a 6-month probation with character investigation.
  • Initial: Non-original first-time appointments.
  • Promotion: Advancement to a higher position with increased duties and salary.
  • Transfer: Movement to a position of equivalent rank without break in service.
  • Reemployment: Appointment of previously separated officials without disciplinary cause.
  • Reappointment: For positions with no gap in service.
  • Reinstatement: For those separated without delinquency or exonerated.
  • Renewal: Extension of temporary/contractual appointments where no qualified eligibles are available.
  • Change of Status: Temporary to permanent or provisional to permanent.
  • Demotion: Movement to a lower rank, voluntary with consent if salary reduced.
  • Upgrading/Reclassification: Change in position title and salary grade, with appointees retained irrespective of qualifications.

Personnel Movements Not Requiring Appointment

  • Changes in item number, salary adjustments, step increments, reinstatements to the same position.
  • Reassignment: Temporary moves within agency, max one year without consent; must not be oppressive.
  • Detail: Temporary movement to another agency, salary paid by mother agency.
  • Secondment: Temporary movement possibly involving change in compensation; governed by clear guidelines and agreements.
  • Job Rotation: Sequential movement within agency for development, limited to 12 months.

Effectivity of Appointment

  • Takes effect upon issuance; salary entitlement begins when duties assumed.
  • No effectivity before issuance date.
  • For local government units, effectivity subject to Sanggunian Bayan concurrence.
  • Temporary appointment effective for 12 months from date of issuance.
  • Appointment copy must be furnished to appointee.
  • Service without appointment is not credited and is the liability of the person causing it.

Additional Requirements in Specific Cases

  • Erasures or alterations on appointments require authentication.
  • Attach administrative/criminal case decisions if applicable.
  • Discrepancies in name or birth data require formal correction process with authenticated birth certificate.
  • COMELEC ban appointments require prior exemption.
  • Local government appointments must have budget certifications and necessary resolutions.
  • Change of status appointments require relevant licenses or performance certifications.
  • Non-disciplinary demotion requires certification and employee consent.
  • Professional licenses required before appointment if mandated by law.

Submission and Approval Procedures

  • Appointments must be submitted within 30 days of issuance; if late, effective 30 days before submission.
  • Request for reconsideration/appeal allowed within 15 days of disapproval.
  • Disapproved services are not credited.
  • Appointing authority personally liable for unauthorized appointments violating laws.
  • Approved appointments delayed in submission result in salary liabilities for delay.
  • Change of status from temporary to permanent can be noted as footnote on temporary appointment if no gap exists.

Responsibilities of HRMO/Personnel Officer

  • Review completeness and verify documents.
  • Certify completeness and publication of vacancy.
  • Ensure PSB chairman certification.
  • Ensure accuracy and completeness of Personal Data Sheet.
  • Furnish copies of appointment to appointee.
  • Submit reports and documents timely to CSC.
  • Ensure oath-taking and license renewals.
  • Failure leads to administrative discipline.

Documents Retained in Agency

  • Position Description Form for all appointments except change of status.
  • Medical certificate for original appointment and reemployment including pre-employment exams.
  • Clearances including NBI and financial/property accountability.
  • Performance ratings for promotion and transfer.

Publication of Vacant Positions

  • Mandatory publication of vacant career positions under RA 7041, except for exempted categories (confidential, policy, technical, non-career, third-level positions, reorganization replacements).
  • Minimum 10 working days after publication before filling vacancies.
  • Renewal appointments require publication to avoid service gaps.
  • Chain promotions can have simultaneous publication of anticipated vacancies.

Qualification Standards

  • Appointee must meet approved qualification standards including education, experience, eligibility.
  • No substitution allowed for education and experience deficiencies.
  • Agencies may impose higher qualification standards.
  • Newly created positions have standards prescribed by CSC.
  • Non-career appointees must meet required standards except eligibility except when special laws apply.

Contracts of Services/Job Orders

  • Not covered by Civil Service Law; no employer-employee relationship; limited to short-term, lump sum, or piecework.
  • Do not enjoy government employee benefits.

Modes of Separation

  • Resignation requires written notice and acceptance for records.
  • Dropping from rolls for AWOL 30 days, unsatisfactory performance with due notice, and physical/mental incapacity.
  • Immediate execution of separation order with right to appeal within 15 days.
  • Separation under this mode is non-disciplinary and does not forfeit reemployment rights.
  • Dismissal requires submission of certified decision.
  • Other separations like retirement and death require notice to CSC.

Prohibitions

  • No person shall hold multiple offices unless allowed by law.
  • Elective officials cannot be appointed during their term.
  • No double or indirect compensation without law.
  • Election losers barred from appointment for one year.
  • Filing candidacy considered resignation.
  • No reemployment within six months after promoting candidacy before election.
  • No reassignment/detail within three months before election without COMELEC permission.
  • Prohibition against partisan political activities except voting.
  • Nepotism rules prohibit appointment of relatives within certain degrees; certain exceptions apply.
  • Appointment cannot be revoked after acceptance unless void due to fraud or illegality.
  • Dismissed persons barred from reappointment unless granted clemency.
  • Compulsory retirement age is 65; exceptions for confidential positions under temporary status.
  • Restrictions on transfers of oversight agency heads.
  • Non-career employees cannot supervise career personnel.
  • No discrimination on political, religious, sex, or civil status grounds.
  • Position re-designation restrictions in LGUs.

Repealing Clause

  • All inconsistent Civil Service Commission issuances are repealed or amended by these rules.

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