Civil Service Exam (Subprofessional) General Information — Constitutional Commissions & Local GovernmentFlash Cards

What are the three Constitutional Commissions of the Philippines?

The three Constitutional Commissions are: 1) Civil Service Commission (CSC) - oversees government personnel and civil service integrity; 2) Commission on Elections (COMELEC) - enforces election laws and conducts elections; 3) Commission on Audit (COA) - audits government revenues, expenditures, and accounts. All three are independent constitutional bodies with specific terms and qualifications.

What is the composition and term of office for the Civil Service Commission?

The CSC consists of: 1) One Chairman - 7 years without reappointment; 2) Two Commissioners - First Commissioner serves 5 years, Second Commissioner serves 3 years, both without reappointment. Key limitations: single term only, appointment to vacancy is only for unexpired term, no temporary or acting capacity appointments allowed.

What are the qualifications required for Civil Service Commission members?

CSC members must be: 1) Natural-born Filipino citizens; 2) At least 35 years old at appointment; 3) Have proven capacity for public administration and local management; 4) Must not have been candidates for elective positions in immediately preceding elections; 5) Appointed by the President with consent of Commission on Appointments.

What is the scope of the civil service in the Philippines?

The civil service embraces ALL: 1) Branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial); 2) Subdivisions (provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays); 3) Instrumentalities and agencies; 4) Government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) with original charters. This comprehensive coverage ensures merit-based appointments across the entire government structure.

What is the composition and terms of office for COMELEC?

COMELEC consists of: 1) One Chairman - 7 years without reappointment; 2) Six Commissioners with staggered terms: 3 members for 7 years, 2 members for 5 years, 1 member for 3 years, all without reappointment. This staggered system ensures continuity and prevents complete turnover at once.

What are the key qualifications for COMELEC members?

COMELEC members must be: 1) Natural-born Filipino citizens; 2) At least 35 years old; 3) College degree holders; 4) Not candidates in immediately preceding elections; 5) The majority, including the Chairman, must be Philippine Bar members with at least 10 years law practice. This ensures legal expertise in election law.

List three major powers and functions of COMELEC.

Key COMELEC powers include: 1) Enforce and administer all election laws, conduct elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referendums, and recalls; 2) Exercise exclusive jurisdiction over election contests for regional, provincial, and city officials, with appellate jurisdiction over municipal and barangay contests; 3) Register political parties and organizations after sufficient publication, ensuring they meet platform requirements and constitutional adherence.

What is the composition and terms of office for the Commission on Audit?

COA consists of: 1) One Chairman - 7 years without reappointment; 2) Two Commissioners - First Commissioner for 5 years, Second Commissioner for 3 years, both without reappointment. The Constitution provides for rotation of appointments at regular intervals every 2 years to ensure continuity.

What are the special qualifications required for COA members?

COA members must be: 1) Natural-born Filipino citizens; 2) At least 35 years old; 3) Either Certified Public Accountants with at least 10 years auditing experience, OR members of Philippine Bar with at least 10 years law practice; 4) Not candidates in immediately preceding elections. This ensures financial and legal expertise for audit functions.

What are the four levels of Local Government Units in the Philippines?

The four levels are: 1) Autonomous Regions (highest special level with enhanced powers); 2) Provinces (highest regular level, governed by governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan); 3) Cities and Municipalities (governed by mayors and Sangguniang Panlungsod/Bayan respectively); 4) Barangays (smallest unit, led by Punong Barangay and Sangguniang Barangay).

What are the three types of cities in the Philippines and their characteristics?

Three types: 1) Highly Urbanized Cities (HUC) - minimum 200,000 population and ₱50 million annual income, independent of provinces; 2) Independent Component Cities (ICC) - charters prohibit residents from voting for provincial officials; 3) Component Cities (CC) - residents can vote for provincial officials, considered part of the province where located.

What is the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) and its main purposes?

RA 7160 provides for responsive and accountable local government structure through: 1) System of decentralization with mechanisms for recall, initiative, and referendum; 2) Allocating powers, responsibilities, and resources to LGUs; 3) Providing qualifications, elections, appointments, terms, salaries, and functions of local officials; 4) All matters relating to LGU organization and operation.

What is the difference between decentralization of administration and decentralization of power?

Decentralization of Administration: Transfer of responsibility for planning, financing, and managing public functions from central government to field units while maintaining central authority. Decentralization of Power: Actual abdication of political power to autonomous local government units that become accountable to constituents rather than central authorities.

What powers do Local Government Units have regarding taxation and revenue?

LGUs have power to: 1) Create their own sources of revenue; 2) Levy taxes on businesses and amusement places; 3) Charge fees for markets and health services; 4) Receive just share in national taxes (automatically released); 5) Get equitable share in proceeds from utilization of national wealth within their areas, including direct benefits to inhabitants.

What are the current autonomous regions in the Philippines and their background?

Currently: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) - replaced ARMM in 2019 through Bangsamoro Organic Law, ratified by plebiscite, headed by Chief Minister (currently Murad Ebrahim). Cordillera region failed autonomy twice (1990, 1998 plebiscites) - only individual provinces voted yes but Supreme Court requires multiple provinces for autonomous region creation.

What are the legislative powers granted to autonomous regions under their organic acts?

Autonomous regions have legislative powers over: 1) Administrative organization; 2) Creation of revenue sources; 3) Ancestral domain and natural resources; 4) Personal, family, and property relations; 5) Regional urban and rural planning; 6) Economic, social, and tourism development; 7) Educational policies; 8) Cultural heritage preservation and development; 9) Other matters authorized by law for regional welfare.

What is RA 6713 and what are its main ethical standards for public officials?

RA 6713 is the 'Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.' Main standards include: 1) Commitment to public interest over personal interest; 2) Professionalism in service delivery; 3) Justness and sincerity without discrimination; 4) Political neutrality; 5) Responsiveness to the public; 6) Nationalism and patriotism; 7) Commitment to democracy; 8) Simple living appropriate to position.

What are the prohibited acts under RA 6713 for public officials?

Prohibited acts include: 1) Having financial/material interest in transactions requiring office approval; 2) Outside employment in regulated enterprises; 3) Private practice conflicting with official functions; 4) Disclosure/misuse of confidential information; 5) Soliciting/accepting gifts, gratuities, or favors; 6) Recommending persons to private enterprises with pending official transactions. Violations carry penalties including fines, suspension, removal, and imprisonment.

What is the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) requirement?

All public officials (except honorary, laborers, casual/temporary workers) must file SALN and Disclosure of Business Interests covering: 1) Real property details; 2) Personal property; 3) Investments and assets; 4) Liabilities; 5) Business interests and financial connections. Filed within 30 days of assumption, annually by April 30, and within 30 days after separation. Available for public inspection after 10 working days.

What are the career service levels and their characteristics in the Philippine Civil Service?

Three levels: 1) First Level - clerical, trades, crafts, custodial positions requiring less than 4 years college; 2) Second Level - professional, technical, scientific work requiring at least 4 years college; 3) Third Level - Career Executive Service positions. Career Service features: merit-based entry, competitive exams, advancement opportunities, security of tenure, political neutrality, standardized compensation.