MANILA, Philippines – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) stated that individuals who pass the bar and board examinations are automatically recognized as civil service eligibles.
CSC clarified that Republic Act No. 1080, as amended, states that "the bar examinations and the various examinations conducted by government boards are regarded as civil service examinations.” Thus, those who pass the bar examinations administered by the Supreme Court (SC) and licensure exams conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) are automatically added to the list of eligibles.
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Since 2014, this eligibility has also extended to marine deck and engine officers licensed by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), following the transfer of the examination, licensing, and certification responsibilities from the PRC to MARINA under Republic Act No. 10635.
Additionally, passing the Shari'a Bar Examinations is also recognized as a qualification.
The CSC further explained that passers of the said examinations are no longer required to visit the CSC and its Regional or Field Offices to apply or to obtain a copy of their civil service eligibility from the CSC.
A valid professional license or a copy of the Certificate of Registration/Competency or Report of Rating issued by the SC, PRC, or MARINA can serve as proof of eligibility.
The Bar/Board Eligibility is essential for appointment to positions in the government that involve the practice of profession such as doctor, engineer, and lawyer. However, licensed professionals may also work in government positions unrelated to their field of practice.
For Bar/Board Eligibility gained by passing an examination that requires a bachelor’s degree, this eligibility is applicable not only to positions directly related to that examination but also to other first and second level government positions which are not governed by special laws or require additional eligibility or licenses.
Eligibilities obtained through examinations requiring less than four years of college study is suitable for appointment to positions related to the examination, as well as to other first level positions in government that are not covered by special laws or additional requirements.
Additionally, eligibility from the 13th Shari’a Bar Examinations held in January 2014 is recognized for first and second level positions in the civil service. Passers of the earlier Shari’a Bar Examinations are qualified to first level positions only.
The 2017 Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions, as amended, issued by the CSC also state that holders of Bar/Board Eligibility are exempt from the master’s degree requirement for division chief and executive/managerial roles in the second level, provided their duties involve professional practice or are related to positions regulated by bar or board laws.
Furthermore, lawyers and doctors are exempt from the master’s degree requirement for division chief or executive/managerial roles that do not involve the practice of their profession or relate to positions regulated by bar or board laws.
The CSC reminded candidates that eligibility is only one of the qualifications for appointment in the civil service. Individuals applying for career service positions must also meet the education, training, experience, and competency requirements outlined in the Qualification Standards.
— The Summit Express
