This pertains to Ms. Adelle Chua’s article entitled “Headless Commissions” published on Manila Standard Today on February 23, 2015.
Paragraph 12 of the article says: “While he was supposed to serve at the CSC until 2017, Duque seems to have chosen to step down earlier following a Supreme Court decision voiding Arroyo’s executive order that made him an ex-officio director or trustee of various other agencies concurrent to being CSC chairman, according to the PCIJ.”
For accuracy, we wish to clarify that Dr. Duque’s term as CSC Chairperson ended at the close of office hours on February 1, 2015. Pursuant to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the CSC Chairperson and Commissioners are appointed for a fixed term of seven years. Since former Chairperson Karina Constantino-David ended her term on February 1, 2008, the succeeding chairperson shall fill the post for the next seven years or until February 1, 2015. Former Chair Ricardo Saludo served from July 2008 to September 2009. Thereafter, Dr. Duque was appointed in January 2010, leaving him with five years to complete the unexpired term of Mr. Saludo.
Thus, Dr. Duque left the CSC for no other reason but because his term of office as its chairperson has expired.
While the CSC remains “headless” up to this time, it does not necessarily mean that it is directionless. It continues to observe its mandate and functions. Since adopting the Performance Governance System in 2010, we have treaded the path toward our vision to become Asia’s leading center of excellence in strategic human resource and organization development—guided by a strategy map, annual enterprise targets, and office and individual performance commitments. Rest assured that the CSC will continue to implement HR programs for the bureaucracy and render services to its clientele and stakeholders during this crucial transition period.
I hope that this letter would be accommodated in your publication to correct any misinformation among your readers.
(Sgd.) ROBERT S. MARTINEZ
Commissioner
Civil Service Commission