CSC urges incoming officials: Avoid nepotism
The Civil Service Commission 6 (CSC-6) here advised all newly-elected national and local officials to strictly observe the ‘rule on nepotism’ as they will officially start their functions on July 1.
CSC-6 regional director Rodolfo Encajonado said nepotism is not a good public service and always construed as a main source of “corruption” that promotes patronage politics and breeds distrust on the government.
In the national level, Encajonado said that Administrative Code of 1987 prohibits appointments in the national government made in favor of relatives within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity of either the appointing authority, recommending authority, chief of bureau or office, or persons exercising immediate supervision over the appointee. Exempted from this rule are persons employed in a confidential capacity, teachers, physicians, and members of the Armed Forces.
For local level, on the other hand, Local Government Code of 1991 says that nepotism exists when an appointment is made within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity of the appointing or recommending authority.
Encajonado said his office will be very strict on appointments made by both national and local governments and will not allow or approve any appointment made in violation of the existing civil service regulation.
“Issuing of appointment to any relative to the civil service by the head of office or appointing authority is enough basis to hold the latter liable for nepotism,” Encajonado explained.
The penalty includes dismissal from the service with all the accessory penalties of forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of eligibility, disqualification to hold public office, and bar from taking civil service examination.
