THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Former Senate President Senator Neptali A. Gonzales once said: 
"Congress, particularly the Senate, has become a great and 
strong institution of representative democracy. Because of the 
broad national mandate granted by the Constitution to Congress, if 
becomes the task of the Secretariat of both Houses to give their 
unqualified 
and 
professional 
support 
to 
senators 
and 
congressmen." 
This bill seeks to create and maintain a pool of strong, dedicated and 
competent public servants in the field of legislation to ensure that our elected 
senators and congressmen are provided the much-needed administrative and 
technical support to carry out their roles in a representative democracy. 
The establishment of a Legislative Career Service would allow the 
admission and training of competent and qualified civil servants in Congress. 
There is no doubt that the functions of Congress have gone beyond that of 
plenary work. Committee hearings and legislative inquires have to be conducted 
on various socio-economic and political issues that confront our nation. 
Legislative research, bill drafting and administrative management have to be 
undertaken to complement the lawmaking duties of our legislators. The role of 
the Secretariat as a support system in the Congress, therefore, becomes unique 
and specialized. Thus, the qualification standards of legislative personnel are 
specific and must conform not only to the Civil Service rules but also to 
parliamentary rules, precedents, practices, and traditions. 
This proposed measure likewise seeks the creation of a Legislative Career 
Service Board to ensure the recruitment and training of a service-wide pool of 
properly selected and development-oriented legislative corps and devises a 
retirement scheme for all officers and employees in the Legislative Career 
Service. 
Now is the time to acknowledge, through this bill, the men and women 
behind the work of the senators and representatives of the people if only for their 
untiring support and dedication to this great political institution. 
I therefore seek the support of this Body for the approval of this measure. 
N 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S. N 0 . 2 3  
Introduced by Senator Franklin M. Drilon 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING AND RATIONALIZING THE CAREER SERVICE 
OF THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES BY ESTABLISHING A 
LEGISLATIVE CAREER SERVICE, PROVIDING BENEFITS FOR ITS 
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Legidative Career Sewice. - There shall be established a 
Legislative Career Service for Congress composed of the following: 
(a) The Legislative Career Sewice Officers (LCSO) -to include the positions of 
the Deputy Secretary of the Senate, Deputy Secretary General of the House of 
Representatives, Deputy Secretary of the Commission on Appointments, and their 
equivalents, Executive Director, Bureau Director, Assistant Bureau Director, Service 
Chief, down to Director I Level, and equivalent levels which involve professional and 
technical work in a supervisory capacity; 
(b) 
The Legislative Career Service Employees (LCS€) - to include Legislative 
Staff Officer positions which involve professional and technical work in a non-supervisory 
capacity; 
(c) 
The Legislafive Sub-career Service (LSCS) - to include Legislative Staff 
AssistantEmployee positions which involve clerical, trades, crafts and custodial services 
in a non-supervisory capacity. 
SEC. 2. Coverage. - The Legislative Career Service (LCS) shall include the 
officers and employees of the Senate, 'the House of Representatives and the 
Commission on Appointments. 


SEC. 3. 
Objective. - It is the purpose of this measure to professionalize, 
upgrade and strengthen the work force of the Legislative Department to ensure that 
Congress and its Members shall be provided with qualified, efficient and effective 
legislative, administrative and security support services. Towards this end, a continuing 
pool of competent and development-oriented legislative career service officers and 
employees shall be established and maintained. 
SEC. 4. Legislative Career Service Board. - There shall be a Legislative 
Career Service Board hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be composed of the 
Secretary of the Senate and the Secretary General of the House, as Co-Chairmen; one 
(1) Career Official to be designated by the President of the Senate, one (1) Career 
Official to be designated by the Speaker of the House, and the Chairman of the Civil 
Service Commission. The two (2) Career Officials for both Houses shall serve for a term 
of three (3) years. 
SEC. 5. Functions of the Board. - The Board shall: 
(a) 
Determine and evaluate the qualification of the applicants for LCSO 
positions; 
(b) Prepare the examination questions for LCSO positions and conduct the 
examination, correct and rate examination papers in coordination with the Civil Service 
Commission and submit the results to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the 
House; 
(c) 
Conduct an annual review of the qualifications of LCSO and recommend 
deserving officers for appointment to the rank of LCSO; 
(d) Establish and conduct a performance evaluation system for LCSOs; 
(e) Keep a roster of those who have passed the LCSO examinations; and 
(f) 
Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the President of the 
Senate or the Speaker of the House pursuant to its mandate. 
SEC. 6. 
Legislative Career Service Officers (LCSO) Eligibility. - LCSO 
eligibility shall be conferred by the Board to any person who meets such managerial and 
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legislative experience and competence, leadership qualities and other relevant 
qualifications, and passes the examination prescribed by the Board. 
The examination shall consist of two stages: (a) Legislative/management 
aptitude test; and (b) Assessment of managerial capability and competence. 
Those who pass the managerial assessment will be subject to a validation 
process involving their superiors in order to ascertain their on-the-job performance. 
Successful completion of the managerial assessment and favorable results of the 
validation process and a final interview by the Board shall qualify the candidate for the 
grant of LCSO eligibility. 
Any incumbent officer or employee who is a Career Executive Service (CES) 
eligible prior to the effectivity of this Act shall automatically be conferred LCSO eligibility. 
SEC. 7. Qualification Requiremenis. - An applicant for LCSO eligibility must 
possess the following qualifications: 
(a) A Bachelor’s degree; 
(b) Not be over fifty-five (55) years of age; 
(c) Must be a citizen of the Philippines; and 
(d) Must not have been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of a crime 
involving moral aptitude. 
SEC. 8. 
Appointments. - Appointments to appropriate positions in the 
Legislative Career Service shall be made by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives or the Chairman of the Commission on Appointments, as 
the case may be. 
No person shall be eligible for appointment to any position in the Legislative 
Career Service unless he/she meets the qualification standards approved by the 
Legislative Career Service Board (LCSB) which shall at least be at par with the 
standards set by the Civil Service Commission. 
SEC. 9. 
Incumbents. - Upon approval of this Act, an incumbent, or an 
employee officially discharging the duties, of a regular career position herein classified 
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as an LCSO position shall be accorded LCSO eligibility and shall enjoy security of 
tenure. 
SEC. 10. Retirement Benefits. - Retirement shall be compulsory for an officer 
or employee in the Legislative Career Service upon reaching the age of sixty-five (65) 
years: Provided, That helshe has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service in the 
government, three (3) years of which have been continuously rendered in the Legislative 
Department. If helshe has rendered less than fifteen (15) years of service, helshe shall 
be allowed to continue in Service up to a maximum of one (1) year, subject to Civil 
Service rules and regulations. 
Upon compulsory retirement, an officer or employee shall be entitled to a monthly 
pension for the duration of hidher natural life equivalent to the salary of the incumbent of 
the position he was retired from and a lump sum gratuity of five (5) years or sixty (60) 
months multiplied by two (2) months salary plus the highest monthly aggregate of 
transportation, living and representation allowances received at the time of retirement. 
An officer or employee who has reached the age of sixty (60) years with at least 
fifteen (15) years of service in government, the last three (3) years of which have been 
continuously rendered in the Legislative Department, may opt to retire under the 
compulsory retirement plan: Provided, That helshe shall be entitled to a monthly pension 
only upon the lapse of five (5) years from retirement. 
Likewise an incumbent who has availed of any prior optional retirement plan and 
has an accumulated thirty (30) years of service in government, three (3) years of which 
have been continuously rendered in the Legislative Department, shall be given full credit 
for services rendered by him/her prior to hidher reinstatement and shall receive the full 
benefits granted under this Act if helshe retires under the compulsory retirement plan: 
Provjded, That he/she refunds all pensions and retirement benefits previously received. 
All pension benefits of retired officers and employees of the legislative 
department shall be automatically increased whenever there is an increase in the salary 
of the same position from which helshe retired. 
Except for the retirement benefits granted herein, officials and employees of the 
Legislative Career Service shall remain covered by the compulsory life insurance 
4 


program of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and shall therefore be 
entitled to and may avail of GSlS benefits: Provided, That the corresponding personal 
and employer share for the life insurance coverage is paid and remitted. 
SEC. 11. Survivorship Benefits. - Upon the death of an officer or employee 
who has been retired, his/her surviving spouse and surviving legitimate minor children 
shall receive in equal shares seventy percent (70%) of the monthly retirement pay which 
he/she has been receiving at the time of hislher death: Provided, That no payment 
under this Section shall be made to the surviving spouse who remarries. 
SEC. 12. Optional Retirement. - An officer or employee, who has rendered an 
accumulated twenty (20) years of government service, the last three (3) years of which 
have been continuously rendered in the Legislative Department, may choose to retire 
from the service under the optional retirement plan subject to the approval of the 
President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case 
may be. 
Incumbents who have rendered at least ten (IO) years of continuous service in 
Congress at the time of the adoption of this Act may likewise avail of the optional 
retirement. Helshe shall be entitled to receive a lump sum gratuity equivalent to two (2) 
months salary for every year of service plus highest monthly aggregate of transportation, 
living and representation allowances as of the date of hislher retirement. 
A retiree under this Section shall not be eligible for appointment to or 
employment in Congress whether on a permanent, temporary, casual or emergency 
status within a period of three (3) years after retirement. 
An officer or employee who has been separated from the service shall be given 
full credit for services rendered by him prior to his reinstatement for purposes of 
determining his/her retirement or separation benefits under this Ad: Provided, That 
helshe refunds all pensions and retirement benefits previously received. 
An officer or employee who shall retire under the compulsory or optional 
retirement plan shall be entitled to a refund of GSlS personal contributions and the 
corresponding share of the government with interest earned. 
Likewise, all retiring 
5 


officers and employees shall be entitled to the commutation of unused vacation and sick 
leave in accordance with existing rules and regulations. 
SEC. 13. Separation Benefits. -When an officer or employee is permanently 
incapacitated to discharge the duties of hidher office, or dies while in the service or is 
otherwise separated from the service for reasons beyond hidher control and who is not 
qualified far retirement under Section 10 hereof, he/she or hidher heirs shall be paid a 
lump sum equivalent to two (2) months salary for every year of service, computed on the 
basis of the last monthly salary plus the highest monthly aggregate of transportation, 
living and representation allowances which he was receiving on the date of his 
incapacity, death or separation from the service. This shall be properly certified by the 
Secretary of the Senate, the Secretary General of the House of Representatives or the 
Secretary of the Commission on Appointments, as the case may be. 
SEC. 14. Suspension/Deprivation of Benefits. - Benefits due under this Act to 
any officer or employee shall be withheld if the officer or employee has unliquidated 
accounts or any pending administrative, criminal or civil case connected with his or her 
position. 
If the officer or employee is found guilty, all benefits shall be forfeited; 
otherwise, the benefit shall be paid in full plus interest as soon as the officer or employee 
is cleared of all charges. 
SEC. 15. Retirement Benefits of the Secretary of the Senate, fhe Secretary 
General of the House of Representatives, the Sergeant-at-Arms of both Houses, 
the Secretary and the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Commission on Appointments, and 
Co-Terminous Employees. - The Secretary of the Senate, the Secretary General of 
the House of Representatives, the Sergeant-at-Arms of both Houses, the Secretary and 
the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Commission on Appointments, and co-terminus staff of the 
Members of Congress and of the Commission on Appointments, with at least fifteen (15) 
years of service in the government, the last three (3) years of which have been 
continuously rendered in the Senate, the House of Representatives or the Commission 
6 


on Appointments, may avail of the retirement and separation benefits subject to the 
conditions provided under Sections 10, 11, 12, and 13 hereof. 
SEC. 16. 
Enforcement of Retirement Benefits. - The Senate of the 
Philippines, the House of Representatives and the Commission on Appointments, or 
their successors shall take charge of the enforcement and operation of retirement 
benefits under this Act and no officer or employee of Congress shall be entitled to 
receive any gratuity or pension herein provided for unless from the month following the 
approval of this Act, in case of an actual incumbent, or from the month following his/her 
appointment and qualification as such, in case of a future appointment, hekhall have 
contributed to the retirement funds, by paying a monthly contribution equivalent to ten 
percent (10%) of hidher basic monthly salary, three percent (3%) shall be allotted for 
insurance premium and seven percent (7%) for retirement, with employer counterpad of 
twelve percent (12%). The retirement fund shall be held in trust by the Government 
Service Insurance System which fund shall be made available for the payment of the 
benefits under this Act. In case of deficiency in the fund, the deficiency shall be paid out 
of the appropriation of either the Senate of the Philippines, the House of Representatives 
and the Commission on Appointments, or their successors. 
The President of the Senate and/or Speaker of the House of Representatives 
may avail of management and technical assistance of the GSlS or enter into an 
agreement concerning the administration and operation of the retirement funds of their 
respective Houses. They may jointly or separately, authorize the GSlS or any other 
government financing institution to invest the investible amounts of the said retirement 
funds in accordance with existing laws and sound and prudent investment policies and 
practices. 
SEC. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Upon the recommendation 
of the Secretary of the Senate and the Secretary General of the House of 
Representatives, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, shall jointly promulgate such rules and regulations for the proper 
implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 18. 
Appropriafions. - The amount needed to carry out the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's Appropriations for 
the Organizations Adjustment Fund and Miscellaneous Benefits Fund. Thereafter, such 
sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 19. Separability Clause. -Any portion or provision of this Act that may be 
declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or 
provisions thereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given 
effect in their entirety. 
SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. -All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, 
and other issuances, or parts 'thereof, inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 21. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
8