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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS ) < REPRESEN

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) eae ‘GN
First Reguler Session } / 3° RECEIVED “©

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodrig
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

3688

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 7, Article IX-A of the 1987 Philippine Constitution expressly states
that, “Each Commission shall decide by a majority vote of all its Members, any case
or matter brought before it within sixty days from the date of its submission for
decision or resolution. A case or matter is deemed submitted for decision or
resolution upon the filing of the last pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the
rules of the Commission or by the Commission Itself. Unless otherwise provided by
this Constitution or by law, any decision, order, or ruling of each Commission may be
brought to the Supreme Court on certiorari by the aggrieved party within thirty days
from receipt of a copy thereof,”

Of the three Constitutional Commissions covered by the above-mentioned
provision, it is only the Civil Service Commission (CSC) whose decision, order or
Tuling is subject to the appellate review of the Court of Appeals because of a
provision in Batas Pambansa Big, 29, as amended, otherwise known as the Judiciary
Reorganization Act of 1980. However, recognizing that the CSC, Just like the
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Commission on Audit (COA), is an
independent Constitutional Commission and is supreme in its own field, there has
been a strong move to restore to the Supreme Court the sole power to review
through a special civil action on certiorari any decision, order or ruling of the CSC. It
is high time that a highly regarded Constitutional Commission like the CSC be given
its just respect for, among other things, unceasingly protecting the security of tenure
of government officials and employees and promoting merit and fitness in the
bureaucracy.

in view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly requested.

(ou
10 Vii JR.



SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriquez, Jr.

House Bill No. _3688

AN ACT
RESTORING JURISDICTION OVER FINAL DECISIONS, ORDERS, OR
RESOLUTIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION FROM THE COURT OF
APPEALS TO THE SUPREME COURT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 9 (3) OF BATAS PAMBANSE BLG. 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION. 1 Section 9 of Batas Pambansa Big. 129, as amended, is hereby further
amended to read as follows:

“Section 9. Jurisdiction. — The Court of Appeals shall Exercise:
XXX

3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgments,
resolutions, orders or awards of Regional Trial Courts and quasi-
judicial agencies, instrumentalities, boards or commission,
including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Social
Security Commission, the Employees Compensation Commission,
[and the Civil Service Commission] except those falling within the
appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in accordance with the
Constitution, the Labor Code of the Philippines under Presidential
Decree No. 442, as amended, the provisions of this Act, and of
subparagraph (1) of the third paragraph and subparagraph 4 of
the fourth paragraph of Section 17 of the Judiciary Act of 1948.”
XXX

SEC. 2. Any decision, order or ruling of the Civil Service Commission may be
brought to the Supreme Court through a special civil action on certiorari under the
Revised Rules of Court by the aggrieved party in accordance with the Constitution

SEC, 3. Separability Clause. If for any reason, any part of or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. Any law, executive order, letter of instruction, rules and
regulations, circulars, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with any of the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,