A Brief Yet Meaningful History of the Philippine Civil Service
When you think of 'civil service,' what comes to mind? For most, it's the dreaded exam that seems to have more legends than answers. But behind that test is a rich history of reform, resilience, and the ever-evolving quest to build an efficient, honest, and people-centered bureaucracy. Let's rewind the tape and trace the roots of the Philippine Civil Service system, a tale that spans over a century and several constitutions.
Historical Timeline of the Civil Service Exam
Public Law No. 5
The Humble Beginnings
The Philippine Civil Service officially began under Public Law No. 5, enacted by the Second Philippine Commission, titled: "An Act for the Establishment and Maintenance of an Efficient and Honest Civil Service in the Philippine Islands." It created the Civil Service Board, composed of a Chairman, a Secretary, and a Chief Examiner, to administer examinations and set appointment standards.
Established the foundation for qualifying exams.
Bureau of Civil Service
From Board to Bureau
The Civil Service Board was reorganized into the Bureau of Civil Service to professionalize government appointments and counter the 'palakasan system'.
Professionalized government appointments.
1935 Constitution
Merit Over Favoritism
The 1935 Constitution formalized the merit system as the cornerstone of public employment and expanded its coverage to all branches of government.
Enshrined the merit system in the constitution.
Republic Act No. 2260
The Civil Service Law
RA 2260, the Civil Service Law, provided the first comprehensive legal framework, superseding scattered administrative orders and elevating the Bureau into a full-fledged Civil Service Commission (CSC) with department status.
Established the modern Civil Service Commission.
Presidential Decree No. 807
The Civil Service Decree
Presidential Decree No. 807, the Civil Service Decree of the Philippines, redefined the CSC's role as the central personnel agency of the government.
Centralized personnel management in the CSC.
The Constitution & Admin Code
The Present Mandate
The 1987 Constitution and Book V of Executive Order No. 292 (the 1987 Administrative Code) gave the CSC its modern-day mandate, upholding the merit system, promoting ethical behavior, and recognizing the right of government employees to unionize.
Strengthened and modernized the CSC's mandate.
Notable Figures in the History of the Civil Service Exam
William Howard Taft
First Civil Governor
Established merit system in Philippines
1901-1903Ferdinand Marcos
President of the Philippines
Issued the Civil Service Decree of 1975
1965-1986Corazon C. Aquino
President of the Philippines
Oversaw the 1987 Constitution and Administrative Code
1986-1992Civil Service Exam by the Numbers
Of civil service system
Total examinees since 1900
Current government employees
Annual examinees today
Evolution of the Examination
Early Years (1900-1950s)
- • Written essays and oral interviews
- • Limited to major cities
- • English language only
- • Small candidate pool
Modernization (1960s-1990s)
- • Multiple choice format
- • Standardized testing
- • Bilingual examinations
- • Nationwide coverage
Digital Age (2000s-Present)
- • Online applications
- • Computer-based testing
- • Real-time results
- • Accessibility features
Legacy and Impact
Achievements:
- • Eliminated political patronage in government hiring
- • Established merit-based career advancement
- • Created professional civil service culture
- • Improved government service quality
Continuing Challenges:
- • Balancing efficiency with accessibility
- • Adapting to technological changes
- • Maintaining examination integrity
- • Meeting diverse candidate needs
CSE Basics
Get to know all the basics of the Civil Service Exam.