Bill wants CESO eligibility for doctorate degree holders

In an effort to bring in more competent people in the government service, Senator Panfilo Lacson wants to allow doctorate degree holders to hold executive positions without the need of securing Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) eligibility.

Senate Bill 261 filed by Lacson aims to declare the conferment of a doctorate degree equivalent to entry-level CESO eligibility in the civil service.

“This is to grant (holders of doctorate degrees), many of whom are academicians, the equal opportunity with CESO holders in terms of growth and career advancement in the civil service,” Lacson said.

Lacson noted that Republic Act No. 1080 allowed the treatment of examinations by various government boards, including the Bar exams as civil service examinations, and those who pass them may be appointed into the civil service without need to pass the civil service examinations.

However, in the case of executive positions in the civil service, appointments and promotions require CESO eligibility.

“This bill aims to grant the same, if not a more fitting privilege, to holders of doctorate degrees in recognition of their educational competence and fitness for appointment or promotion to executive positions in the civil service by reason of their having completed post-graduate studies which is equivalent, if not more than passing the Bar or board examinations,” Lacson said.

Under Lacson’s bill, the doctorate degree must be conferred by an institution accredited by the Commission on Higher Education.

Registrars or other responsible officers of duly accredited colleges and universities shall regularly furnish the Civil Service Commission with a list of graduates conferred with doctorate degrees within 60 days from conferment.