FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

House Bill No,_2690

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. Uniess 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 ruling 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. Itis 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.

‘

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

Yy

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

House Bill No., 2630

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 alll 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,