The President appoints Emilio Melchor as Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission. Upon confirmation of Melchor’s appointment, the President issues an executive order including him as Ex-Officio member of the Board of Trustees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), and the Board of Directors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH). Allegedly, this is based on the Administrative Code of 1997 (E.O. No. 292), particularly Section 14, Chapter 3, Title I-A, Book V. This provision reads: “The chairman of the CSC shall be a member of the Board of Directors of other governing bodies of government entities whose functions affect the career development, employment, status, rights, privileges, and welfare of government officials and employees… ” A taxpayer questions the designation of Melchor as ex-officio member of the said corporations before the Supreme Court based on two (2) grounds, to wit: (1) it violates the constitutional prohibition on members of the Constitutional Commissions to hold any other office or employment during his tenure; and (2) it impairs the independence of the CSC. Will the petition prosper? Explain. (4%)
Suggested answer only. Not an official answer and not legal advice.
Yes, the petition will prosper. Under Section 2, Article IX-A of the 1987 Constitution, members of Constitutional Commissions are strictly prohibited from holding any other office or employment during their tenure. In Funa v. Duque III, the
Unlock the full Political Law answers365 days of full access. GCash, Maya and card accepted.
This is not an official scoring system and carries no weight with the Supreme Court or any bar review provider. It measures how much of the suggested answer's wording your response covers, not whether your reasoning is correct. For practice only.
Quick check
Under Section 2, Article IX-A of the 1987 Constitution, what is the rule on members of Constitutional Commissions holding other offices during tenure?
Article IX-A, Section 2 strictly prohibits members of Constitutional Commissions from holding any other office or employment during their tenure without exception.
In Funa v. Duque III, how did the Supreme Court rule regarding the ex-officio designation of the CSC Chairperson to GSIS and PHILHEALTH boards?
The Supreme Court declared the ex-officio designation unconstitutional as Section 2, Article IX-A admits no ex-officio exception for Constitutional Commissioners.
How does the prohibition on dual office holding under Article IX-A (Constitutional Commissions) differ from Section 13, Article VII (Executive Department)?
The prohibition in Article IX-A is absolute and lacks the ex-officio exception allowed under Section 13, Article VII for executive officials.
Why does appointing the CSC Chairperson to government corporate boards impair the independence of the Civil Service Commission?
Choices available with full access.
What is the legal status of Section 14, Chapter 3, Title I-A, Book V of E.O. No. 292 insofar as it mandates CSC ex-officio board memberships?
Choices available with full access.
Learn more about these topics
1. Dual Office Prohibition
Under Section 2, Article IX-A of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, members of Constitutional Commissions are strictly prohibited from holding any other office or employment during their tenure. Unlike Section 13, Article VII governing Cabinet members, which permits ex-officio positions required by the primary functions of their office, Article IX-A contains no such exception. The Supreme Court in Funa v. Duque III held that this constitutional prohibition is absolute. Consequently, any statutory provision or executive order designating a Constitutional Commissioner to an ex-officio position in another government entity is unconstitutional.
2. Commission Independence Protection
The Civil Service Commission is an independent constitutional body created under Article IX-A of the 1987 Constitution to preserve the merit system in public service. Placing the CSC Chairperson on the governing boards of government-owned or controlled corporations like GSIS, ECC, and PHILHEALTH subjects the officer to executive oversight and corporate policy decisions. In Funa v. Duque III, the Supreme Court ruled that such dual membership impairs the constitutional independence of the Commission. Serving on executive boards creates inherent conflicts of interest and compromises the Chairperson's duty to impartially regulate government personnel.
3. Executive Designation Limits
Section 14, Chapter 3, Title I-A, Book V of Executive Order No. 292 attempted to mandate ex-officio membership for the CSC Chairperson in government entities affecting employee welfare. However, statutory or administrative provisions cannot override express constitutional prohibitions. In Funa v. Duque III, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the designation of the CSC Chairperson to corporate governing boards. Because the Constitution explicitly bars Constitutional Commissioners from holding multiple offices, any legislative or executive attempt to expand their official duties into ex-officio board memberships is null and void.