Source: http://lawlibrary.chanrobles.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=45892:152574&amp;catid=1459&amp;Itemid=566
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 18:20:40+00:00

Document:
FRANCISCO ABELLA JR., Petitioner, v. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, Respondent.
Both the appointing authority and the appointee are the real parties in interest, and both have legal standing, in a suit assailing a Civil Service Commission (CSC) order disapproving an appointment. Despite having legal interest and standing, herein petitioner unsuccessfully challenges the constitutionality of the CSC circular that classifies certain positions in the career service of the government. In sum, petitioner was appointed to a Career Executive Service (CES) position, but did not have the corresponding eligibility for it; hence, the CSC correctly disapproved his appointment.
The challenged Resolution denied petitioner's Motion for Reconsideration.
"Petitioner Francisco A. Abella, Jr., a lawyer, retired from the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA), now the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), on July 1, 1996 as Department Manager of the Legal Services Department. He held a civil service eligibility for the position of Department Manager, having completed the training program for Executive Leadership and Management in 1982 under the Civil Service Academy, pursuant to CSC Resolution No. 850 dated April 16, 1979, which was then the required eligibility for said position.
'3. the duties and responsibilities of the position require the performance of executive or managerial functions.
"Two years after his retirement, petitioner was hired by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on a contractual basis. On January 1, 1999, petitioner was issued by SBMA a permanent employment as Department Manager III, Labor and Employment Center. However, when said appointment was submitted to respondent Civil Service Commission Regional Office No. III, it was disapproved on the ground that petitioner's eligibility was not appropriate. Petitioner was advised by SBMA of the disapproval of his appointment. In view thereof, petitioner was issued a temporary appointment as Department Manager III, Labor and Employment Center, SBMA on July 9, 1999.
"Petitioner appealed the disapproval of his permanent appointment by respondent to the Civil Service Commission, which issued Resolution No. 000059, dated January 10, 2000, affirming the action taken by respondent. Petitioner's motion for reconsideration thereof was denied by the CSC in Resolution No. 001143 dated May 11, 2000."
"A. Whether or not Respondent Court committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction in ruling that petitioner lacks the personality to question the disapproval by respondent office of petitioner's appointment as Department Manager III, Labor and Employment Center, SBMA.
"B. Whether or not Respondent Court committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction in ruling that petitioner is not the real party in interest to question the disapproval by respondent office of petitioner's appointment as Department Manager III, Labor and Employment Center, SBMA.
Petitioner imputes to the CA "grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction" for ruling that he had no legal standing to contest the disapproval of his appointment.12 Grave abuse of discretion is a ground for a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court. Nevertheless, this Court resolved to grant due course to the Petition and to treat it appropriately as a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court. The grounds shall be deemed "reversible errors," not "grave abuse of discretion."
"Section 2. Request for Reconsideration of, or appeal from, the disapproval of an appointment may be made by the appointing authority and submitted to the Commission within fifteen (15) calendar days from receipt of the disapproved appointment."
While petitioner does not challenge the legality of this provision, he now claims that it is merely a technicality, which does not prevent him from requesting reconsideration.
The CSC's disapproval of an appointment is a challenge to the exercise of the appointing authority's discretion. The appointing authority must have the right to contest the disapproval. Thus, Section 2 of Rule VI of CSC Memorandum Circular 40, s. 1998 is justified insofar as it allows the appointing authority to request reconsideration or appeal.
While there is justification to allow the appointing authority to challenge the CSC disapproval, there is none to preclude the appointee from taking the same course of action. Aggrieved parties, including the Civil Service Commission, should be given the right to file motions for reconsideration or to appeal.30 On this point, the concepts of "legal standing" and "real party in interest" become relevant.
If legal standing is granted to challenge the constitutionality or validity of a law or governmental act despite the lack of personal injury on the challenger's part, then more so should petitioner be allowed to contest the CSC Order disapproving his appointment. Clearly, he was prejudiced by the disapproval, since he could not continue his office.
Although petitioner had no vested right to the position,33 it was his eligibility that was being questioned. Corollary to this point, he should be granted the opportunity to prove his eligibility. He had a personal stake in the outcome of the case, which justifies his challenge to the CSC act that denied his permanent appointment.
Although the earlier discussion demonstrates that the appointing authority is adversely affected by the CSC's Order and is a real party in interest, the appointee is rightly a real party in interest too. He is also injured by the CSC disapproval, because he is prevented from assuming the office in a permanent capacity. Moreover, he would necessarily benefit if a favorable judgment is obtained, as an approved appointment would confer on him all the rights and privileges of a permanent appointee.
Section 2 of Rule VI of CSC Memorandum Circular 40, s. 1998 should not be interpreted to restrict solely to the appointing authority the right to move for a reconsideration of, or to appeal, the disapproval of an appointment. PD 807 and EO 292, from which the CSC derives the authority to promulgate its rules and regulations, are silent on whether appointees have a similar right to file motions for reconsideration of, or appeals from, unfavorable decisions involving appointments. Indeed, there is no legislative intent to bar appointees from challenging the CSC's disapproval.
The view that only the appointing authority may request reconsideration or appeal is too narrow. The appointee should have the same right. Parenthetically, CSC Resolution 99-193638 recognizes the right of the adversely affected party to appeal to the CSC Regional Offices prior to elevating a matter to the CSC Central Office.39 The adversely affected party necessarily includes the appointee.
This judicial pronouncement does not override Mathay v. Civil Service Commission,40 which the CA relied on. The Court merely noted in passing - - by way of obiter - - that based on a similar provision,41 only the appointing officer could request reconsideration of actions taken by the CSC on appointments.
"1. Positions Covered by the Career Executive Service.
"3. the duties and responsibilities of the position require the performance of executive or managerial functions."
"4. Status of Appointment of Incumbents of Positions Under the Coverage of the CES. Incumbents of positions which are declared to be Career Executive Service positions for the first time pursuant to this Resolution who hold permanent appointments thereto shall remain under permanent status in their respective positions. However, upon promotion or transfer to other Career Executive Service (CES) positions, these incumbents shall be under temporary status in said other CES positions until they qualify."
Petitioner argues that his eligibility, through the Executive Leadership and Management (ELM) training program, could no longer be affected by a new eligibility requirement. He claims that he was eligible for his previous position as department manager of the Legal Services Department, PEZA; hence, he should retain his eligibility for the position of department manager III, Labor and Employment Center, SBMA, notwithstanding the classification of the latter as a CES position.
The Constitution mandates that, as "the central personnel agency of the government,"47 the CSC should "establish a career service and adopt measures to promote the morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in the Civil Service."48 It further requires that appointments in the civil service be made only through merit and fitness to be determined by competitive examination.49 Civil Service laws have expressly empowered the CSC to issue and enforce rules and regulations to carry out its mandate.
In the exercise of its authority, the CSC deemed it appropriate to clearly define and identify positions covered by the Career Executive Service.50 Logically, the CSC had to issue guidelines to meet this objective, specifically through the issuance of the challenged Circular.
The challenged Circular did not revoke petitioner's ELM eligibility. He was appointed to a CES position; however, his eligibility was inadequate. Eligibility must necessarily conform to the requirements of the position, which in petitioner's case was a CSEE.
The challenged Circular protects the rights of incumbents as long as they remain in the positions to which they were previously appointed. They are allowed to retain their positions in a permanent capacity, notwithstanding the lack of CSEE. Clearly, the Circular recognizes the rule of prospectivity of regulations;53 hence, there is no basis to argue that it is an ex post facto law54 or a bill of attainder.55 These terms, which have settled meanings in criminal jurisprudence, are clearly inapplicable here.
The government service of petitioner ended when he retired in 1996; thus, his right to remain in a CES position, notwithstanding his lack of eligibility, also ceased. Upon his reemployment56 years later as department manager III at SBMA in 2001, it was necessary for him to comply with the eligibility prescribed at the time for that position.
The argument of petitioner that his security of tenure is impaired is unconvincing. First, security of tenure in the Career Executive Service - - except in the case of first and second level employees in the civil service - - pertains only to rank, not to the position to which the employee may be appointed.57 Second, petitioner had neither rank nor position prior to his reemployment. One cannot claim security of tenure if one held no tenure prior to appointment.
Petitioner contends that his due process rights, as enunciated in Ang Tibay v. Court of Appeals,58 were violated.59 We are not convinced. He points in particular to the CSC's alleged failure to notify him of a hearing relating to the issuance of the challenged Circular.
The classification of positions in career service was a quasi-legislative, not a quasi-judicial, issuance. This distinction determines whether prior notice and hearing are necessary.
In sum, while petitioner was able to demonstrate his standing to appeal the CSC Resolutions to the courts, he failed to prove his eligibility to the position he was appointed to.
WHEREFORE, the Petition is GRANTED insofar as it seeks legal standing for petitioner, but DENIED insofar as it prays for the reversal of the CSC Resolutions disapproving his appointment as department manager III of the Labor and Employment Center, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Costs against petitioner.
Davide, Jr., C.J., Puno, Quisumbing, Ynares-Santiago, Sandoval-Gutierrez, Carpio, Austria-Martinez, Carpio-Morales, Callejo, Sr., Azcuna, TINGA, Chico-Nazario, and Garcia, JJ., concur.
2 Id., pp. 7-13. Third Division. Penned by Justice Marina L. Buzon, with the concurrence of Justices Buenaventura J. Guerrero (Division chair) and Alicia L. Santos (member).
4 Assailed Decision, p. 6; rollo, p. 12.
5 Id., pp. 1-5 & 7-11.
6 Id., pp. 5-6 & 11-12 (citing People v. Pinca, 376 Phil. 377, November 17, 1999).
7 371 Phil. 17, August 9, 1999.
8 Assailed Decision, p. 5; rollo, p. 11.
9 Assailed Resolution, p. 2; rollo, p. 15.
10 This case was deemed submitted for decision on July 23, 2003, upon this Court's receipt of the Office of the Solicitor General's Memorandum, signed by Assistant Solicitor General Renan E. Ramos and Associate Solicitor Tomas D. Tagra Jr. Respondent CSC's Memorandum, signed by Director Engelbert Anthony D. Unite and Atty. Bonifacio O. Tarenio Jr., was filed on June 30, 2003. Petitioner's Memorandum, signed by Attys. A.B.F. Gaviola Jr. and Marie Josephine C. Suarez, was filed on July 3, 2003.
11 Petitioner's Memorandum, pp. 8-9; rollo, pp. 185-186. Original in upper case.
12 Petitioner's Memorandum, p. 9; rollo, p. 186.
13 '27, Title I, Book V, EO 292, "The Administrative Code of 1987"; Chua v. Civil Service Commission, February 7, 1992, 206 SCRA 65; Achacoso v. Macaraig, 195 SCRA 235, 239, March 31, 1991. In contrast, a temporary appointment is one made to fill a vacancy in the absence of appropriate eligibles (ibid.).
14 Ferrer v. Hechanova, 125 Phil. 524, 528, January 25, 1967.
15 Umoso v. Civil Service Commission, 234 SCRA 617, 623, July 29, 1994; EspaÃ±ol v. Civil Service Commission, 206 SCRA 715, 721, March 3, 1992.
16 Tomali v. Civil Service Commission, 238 SCRA 572, 576, December 1, 1994.
17 Tomali v. Civil Service Commission, Id., p. 575; Mitra v. Subido, 128 Phil. 128, 143, September 15, 1967. See also Cortez v. Civil Service Commission, 195 SCRA 216; 222, March 13, 1991.
"(2) Prescribe, amend and enforce rules and regulations for carrying into effect the provisions of the Civil Service Law and other pertinent laws"
19 Aquino v. Civil Service Commission, 208 SCRA 240, 247, April 22, 1992; Mitra v. Subido, supra.
20 Guieb v. Civil Service Commission, 229 SCRA 779, February 9, 1994; Lapinid v. Civil Service Commission, supra, p. 388; Central Bank of the Philippines v. Civil Service Commission, 171 SCRA 744, 752, April 10, 1989; Luego v. Civil Service Commission, supra, p. 333.
21 Sevilla v. Parina, 128 Phil. 639, 643, October 30, 1967; Manalang v. Quitoriano, 94 Phil. 903, 911, April 30, 1954.
22 227 Phil. 303, August 5, 1986.
23 Id., p. 307. See also Rimonte v. Civil Service Commission, 314 Phil. 421, 430, May 29, 1995.
24 Lapinid v. Civil Service Commission, 274 Phil. 381, 387, May 14, 1991, per Cruz J. See also Jimenez v. Francisco, 100 Phil. 1025, 1032, February 28, 1957; Branganza v. Commission on Elections, 127 Phil. 442, 447, August 15, 1967.
25 Lapinid v. Civil Service Commission, supra; Amponin v. Commission on Elections, 128 Phil. 412, 415, September 29, 1967.
26 Sevilla v. Parina, supra; Manalang v. Quitoriano, supra. See also Torio v. Civil Service Commission, 209 SCRA 677, 691, June 9, 1992; Medalla v. Sto. Tomas, 208 SCRA 351, 357, May 5, 1992.
27 171 SCRA 744, 756, April 10, 1989.
28 Id., p. 757, per Gancayco, J.
30 See Civil Service Commission v. Dacoycoy, 366 Phil. 86, 104, April 29, 1999.
32 Id., pp. 695-696, per Mendoza, J. See also Agan v. Philippine International Air Terminals Co., Inc., GR No. 155001, January 21, 2004.
33 This Court has recognized that while public office is not property to which one may acquire a vested right, it is nevertheless a protected right. Bince Jr. v. Commission on Elections, 218 SCRA 782, 792, February 9, 1993 (citing Cruz, I.A., Constitutional Law , 101; and Bernas, J., The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines , Vol. 1, 40).
According to existing jurisprudence, protection begins upon the favorable action of the CSC. Thus, no title to the office may be permanently vested in favor of the appointee without the favorable approval of the CSC. Until it has become a completed act through the CSC's approval, an appointment can still be recalled or withdrawn by the appointing authority (Grospe v. Secretary of Public Works & Communications, 105 Phil. 129, 133, January 31, 1959). It would likewise be precipitate to invoke the rule on security of tenure or to claim a vested right over the position (Tomali v. Civil Service Commission, supra, p. 576. See also Corpuz v. Court of Appeals, 348 Phil. 801, 812, January 26, 1998).
34 '2, Rule 3, Rules of Court; Agan v. Philippine International Air Terminals Co., Inc., GR No. 155001, January 21, 2004; Kilosbayan v. Morato, 316 Phil. 652, 697, July 17, 1995; Salonga v. Warner Barnes & Co., Ltd., 88 Phil. 125, 131, January 31, 1951.
35 Mathay v. Court of Appeals, 378 Phil. 466, 482, December 15, 1999; Ralla v. Ralla, 199 SCRA 495, 499, July 23, 1991; Guinobatan Historical and Cultural Association v. CFI, 182 SCRA 256, 262, February 15, 1990.
36 De Leon v. Court of Appeals, 343 Phil. 254, 265, August 15, 1997 (citing Manuel V. Moran, 1 Commentaries on the Rules of Court 154 ).
37 Mathay v. Court of Appeals, supra; Ralla v. Ralla, supra.
38 Issued August 31, 1999. This Resolution governs disciplinary and non-disciplinary proceedings in administrative cases.
"Section 71. Complaint or Appeal to the Commission. -Other personnel actions, such as, but not limited to, x x x action on appointments (disapproval, invalidation, recall, and revocation) x x x, may be brought to the Commission, by way of an appeal."
"Section 72. When and Where to File. -A decision or ruling of a department or agency may be appealed within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof by the party adversely affected to the Civil Service Regional Office and finally, to the Commission Proper within the same period. x x x"
41 Then Item I (3) of Memorandum Circular 38, s. 1993. Id., pp. 26-27.
43 Ibid. '1, Rule 65 of the Rules of Court, states that a petition for certiorari may be availed of when a tribunal, a board or an officer has acted without or in excess of jurisdiction or with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction; and there is no appeal or any plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law.
44 '4, paragraph (3), Article VIII of the Constitution, states: "No doctrine or principle of law laid down by the Court in a decision rendered en banc or in division may be modified or reversed except by the Court sitting en banc."
45 Petitioner's Memorandum, p. 14; rollo, p. 191.
46 The Memorandum Circular, addressed to "All Heads of Departments, Bureaus and Agencies of the National and Local Government including Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations and State Colleges and Universities," was issued pursuant to CSC Resolution 94-2925, dated May 31, 1994.
49 '2, paragraph 2, Article IX-B. Recognized in '5, PD 807 and '7, Title I, Book V, EO 292.
50 Whereas Clause, CSC Resolution 94-2925, dated May 31, 1994.
51 '8, Title I, Book V, EO 292; '7, PD 807. See also CSC Resolution 94-2925.
52 Memorandum Circular 37, s. 1998, dated October 20, 1998; Memorandum Circular 1, s. 1997, dated January 24, 1997.
53 Article 4 of the Civil Code states: "Laws shall have no retroactive effect, unless the contrary is provided."
54 An ex post facto law is one (1) which criminalizes an action that was done before the passing of the law and that was innocent when done, and punishes such action; (2) which aggravates a crime or makes it greater than when it was committed; (3) which changes the punishment and inflicts a greater punishment than that imposed by the law annexed to the crime when it was committed; or (4) which alters the legal rules of evidence and receives less or different testimony than that which the law required at the time of the commission of the offense in order to convict the defendant. NuÃ±ez v. Sandiganbayan, 111 SCRA 433, 447-448, January 30, 1982. See also People v. Sandiganbayan, 211 SCRA 241, 249, July 3, 1992.
55 A bill of attainder is a legislative act that inflicts punishment on individuals without judicial trial. Misolas v. Panga, 181 SCRA 648, 659, January 30, 1990.
56 Reemployment is defined as "the reappointment of a person who has been previously appointed to a position in the career or non-career service and was separated therefrom as a result of reduction in force, reorganization, retirement, voluntary resignation, non-disciplinary actions such as dropping from the rolls and other modes of separation. Reemployment presupposes a gap in the service." Memorandum Circular 15, s. 1999, dated August 27, 1999, amending Memorandum Circular 40, s. 1998.
57 General v. Roco, 350 SCRA 528, 533, January 29, 2001; Cuevas v. Bacal, 347 SCRA 338, 351, December 6, 2000.
58 69 Phil. 635, 624-644, February 27, 1940. The cardinal primary requirements that must be respected in administrative proceedings are as follows: (1) there must be a right to a hearing, including the right to present one's case and submit evidence in support thereof; (2) the tribunal must consider the evidence presented; (3) the decision must have something to support itself; (4) the evidence must be substantial; (5) the decision must be rendered on the evidence presented at the hearing or at least contained in the record and disclosed to the parties affected; (6) the tribunal must act on its own consideration of the law and the facts of the controversy, and not simply accept the views of a subordinate in arriving at a decision; and (7) the tribunal should render its decision in such a manner that one can know the various issues involved and the reasons for the decision rendered.
59 Petitioner's Memorandum, p. 15; rollo, p. 192.
60 Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Court of Appeals, 329 Phil. 987, 1018, August 29, 1996.
61 Villarosa v. Commission on Elections, 377 Phil. 497, 506, November 29, 1999.
62 See Vigan Electric Light Co., Inc. v. Public Service Commission, 119 Phil. 304, 313, January 30, 1964.
63 Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Court of Appeals; supra, p. 1019.
64 Corona v. United Harbor Pilots Association of the Philippines, 347 Phil. 333, 342, December 12, 1997; Philippine Consumers Foundation, Inc. v. Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports, 153 SCRA 622, 628, August 31, 1987. Taxicab Operators of Metro Manila, Inc. v. Board of Transportation, 202 Phil. 925, 934, September 30, 1982; Central Bank of the Philippines v. Cloribel, 150-A Phil. 86, 101, April 11, 1972.
65 TaÃ±ada v. Tuvera, 230 Phil. 528, 535, December 29, 1986. See also Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Court of Appeals, supra, p. 1018. At any rate, Memorandum Circular 21, s. 1994, was allegedly published in the Manila Standard on June 14, 1994. CSC's Memorandum, p. 21; rollo, p. 165.
66 Debulgado v. Civil Service Commission, 237 SCRA 184, 199, September 26, 1994.

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