Constitutional Commissions & Local Government - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Constitutional Commissions and Local Government - covering all exam-critical facts for CSE Professional preparation
Civil Service Commission (CSC)
Important facts
- Established in 1900 through Public Law No. 5
- One of three Constitutional Commissions of the Philippines
- Chairman serves 7 years without reappointment
- Two Commissioners: 1st serves 5 years, 2nd serves 3 years
- Members must be natural-born citizens, at least 35 years old
- No temporary or acting capacity appointments allowed
- Civil service embraces all government branches, subdivisions, and instrumentalities
Key definitions
Civil Service Commission
Example
Conducts civil service examinations and oversees government appointments
Central personnel agency responsible for civil service policies, plans, and programs concerning all government employees
Career Service
Example
Professional positions requiring competitive examinations
Positions characterized by entrance based on merit, advancement opportunity, and security of tenure
Merit and Fitness
Example
Civil service exams to determine eligibility for government positions
Principle requiring appointments based on qualifications and competitive examinations
Diagrams to know
- CSC organizational structure
- Career vs Non-career service classification
Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
Common values
Value
35 years
Symbol
Age
Quantity
Minimum age for COMELEC members
Value
10 years
Symbol
Experience
Quantity
Required legal practice for lawyer-members
Important facts
- Created by 1940 amendment to 1935 Constitution
- 1 Chairman (7 years) + 6 Commissioners (varying terms: 3, 2, 1 members for 7, 5, 3 years respectively)
- Majority including Chairman must be lawyers with 10+ years practice
- Can sit en banc or in two divisions
- Has exclusive original jurisdiction over regional, provincial, city election contests
- Can deputize law enforcement agencies with Presidential concurrence
- Religious denominations cannot be registered as political parties
Key definitions
COMELEC
Example
Supervises presidential, senatorial, and local elections
Constitutional commission enforcing all laws and regulations relative to conduct of elections
En Banc
Example
Major decisions made en banc rather than by division
COMELEC sitting as a whole body with all commissioners present
Diagrams to know
- COMELEC structure and composition
- Election jurisdiction hierarchy
Commission on Audit (COA)
Common values
Value
10 years minimum
Symbol
Experience
Quantity
Required CPA auditing experience
Important facts
- 1 Chairman (7 years) + 2 Commissioners (5 years, 3 years)
- Members must be CPAs with 10+ years auditing experience OR lawyers with 10+ years practice
- Has power to examine, audit, and settle all government accounts
- Covers GOCCs with original charters on post-audit basis
- No law can exempt any government entity from COA jurisdiction
- Submits annual report to President and Congress
- Authority to define scope of audit and establish techniques
Key definitions
Commission on Audit
Example
Audits all government revenues and uses of public funds
Supreme State Audit Institution examining all government accounts and expenditures
Post-audit
Example
COA reviews government spending after funds have been disbursed
Audit conducted after transactions have been completed
Diagrams to know
- COA audit coverage scope
- Government entities under COA jurisdiction
Local Government Units
Common values
Value
200,000
Symbol
Population
Quantity
HUC minimum population
Value
₱50,000,000
Symbol
Income
Quantity
HUC minimum annual income
Value
3 years
Symbol
Term
Quantity
Local official term
Important facts
- Four levels: Provinces, Cities/Municipalities, Barangays, Autonomous Regions
- Governed by Local Government Code (RA 7160) enacted 1991
- Under supervision of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Local officials serve 3-year terms, maximum 3 consecutive terms
- Can create own revenue sources and levy taxes, fees, charges
- Entitled to just share in national taxes (automatic release)
- President provides for regional development councils
Key definitions
Local Government
Example
Provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays
Political subdivision with substantial control of local affairs and locally selected officials
Highly Urbanized City
Example
Independent from provincial government
City with minimum 200,000 population and ₱50M annual income
Barangay
Example
Basic political unit in Philippine local government
Smallest local government unit led by Punong Barangay
Diagrams to know
- LGU hierarchy structure
- Local government branches (Legislative and Executive)
Autonomous Regions
Common values
Value
August 1, 1989
Symbol
Date
Quantity
ARMM establishment date
Important facts
- Constitution limits creation to Muslim Mindanao and Cordilleras
- Only BARMM currently exists (replaced ARMM)
- Created through plebiscite majority approval
- ARMM established August 1, 1989 via RA 6734
- BOL signed by President Duterte created BARMM
- Cordillera autonomy failed in 1990 and 1998 plebiscites
- Chief Minister heads regional government
- Murad Ebrahim current interim Chief Minister
Key definitions
Autonomous Region
Example
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
First-level administrative division with authority to control region's culture and economy
Bangsamoro
Example
Covers Muslim-majority areas of Mindanao
Current autonomous region replacing ARMM, established through BOL
Diagrams to know
- Autonomous regions in the Philippines
- BARMM governmental structure
Code of Ethics (RA 6713)
Common values
Value
15 working days
Symbol
Days
Quantity
Response time to public requests
Value
30 days after assumption
Symbol
Days
Quantity
SALN filing deadline
Important facts
- RA 6713 - Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials
- Eight norms of conduct including public interest commitment
- 15 working days to respond to public letters/requests
- SALN must be filed within 30 days of assumption and annually
- Prohibited: financial interest in transactions, outside employment
- Gifts from foreign governments require Congressional consent
- Violations punishable by fine, suspension, or removal
Key definitions
Public Trust
Example
All government actions must serve public interest
Principle that public office is a public trust requiring accountability to the people
SALN
Example
Filed within 30 days of assumption, annually by April 30
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth required from public officials
Diagrams to know
- Code of Ethics norms and standards
- SALN filing requirements and timeline
Must remember
- CSC established 1900, COMELEC 1940 amendment, all serve single terms without reappointment
- All Constitutional Commission members must be natural-born citizens, 35+ years old
- Civil service embraces ALL government branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, GOCCs
- COMELEC has exclusive original jurisdiction over regional, provincial, city election contests
- COA has authority over ALL government accounts - no law can exempt any entity
- Local officials serve 3-year terms, maximum 3 consecutive terms
- Only BARMM exists as autonomous region; Cordillera autonomy failed twice
- RA 6713 requires 15-day response to public requests, SALN within 30 days
- HUC requirements: 200,000 population minimum, ₱50M annual income
- Career service based on merit/fitness; Non-career on other bases with limited tenure
Last minute tips
- Remember the specific years: CSC 1900, COMELEC 1940, ARMM 1989, LGC 1991, RA 6713
- Constitutional Commissions have staggered terms to ensure continuity - memorize the exact term lengths
- COMELEC majority must be lawyers with 10+ years; COA needs CPA or lawyer with 10+ years
- Local autonomy vs autonomous regions are different concepts - don't confuse them
- SALN filing has three deadlines: 30 days after assumption, April 30 annually, 30 days after separation
Comparison tables
Constitutional Commissions Comparison
| Commission | Chairman Term | Commissioner Terms | Key Qualifications | Main Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC | 7 years | 5 years, 3 years | Natural-born, 35+ years, public admin capacity | Civil service oversight |
| COMELEC | 7 years | 7,5,3 years (staggered) | Natural-born, 35+ years, college degree | Election enforcement |
| COA | 7 years | 5 years, 3 years | Natural-born, 35+ years, CPA/Lawyer | Government audit |
Career vs Non-Career Service
| Aspect | Career Service | Non-Career Service |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance Basis | Merit and fitness via competitive exam | Bases other than merit tests |
| Advancement | Opportunity for career advancement | Limited advancement opportunity |
| Tenure | Security of tenure | Limited or coterminous tenure |
| Examples | Professional positions, technical roles | Elective officials, confidential staff |
Local Government Levels
| Level | Executive Head | Legislative Body | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province | Governor | Sangguniang Panlalawigan | Highest-level LGU |
| City/Municipality | Mayor | Sangguniang Panlungsod/Bayan | Component or independent |
| Barangay | Punong Barangay | Sangguniang Barangay | Smallest LGU |
| Autonomous Region | Chief Minister | Regional Assembly | Most autonomous powers |
Diagrams
Constitutional Commissions Overview
Mind map showing the three Constitutional Commissions and their primary functions and responsibilities
Local Government Hierarchy
Hierarchical structure of Philippine local government units showing relationships and levels
Constitutional Commissions Historical Timeline
Timeline showing key dates in the establishment and evolution of Constitutional Commissions and local government