MANILA, (PIA) -- The Career Executive Service Board (CESB) has issued CESB Resolution No. 1676 to clarify the definition of “on-stream candidates” as provided for in Office of the President Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 12, series of 2022.  MC 12 amends MCs No. 1 and 3, both series of 2022, which direct all non-Career Executive Service (CES) Officials to remain in office only until 31 December 2022.

Under MC No. 12 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on 29 December 2022, CES Eligibles, as well as “on-stream candidates” are authorized to continue to perform their duties and responsibilities until they are reappointed or replaced, or their respective successors are appointed or designated.

“This is a welcome development, but on our part, we need to define ‘on-stream candidates’ for the sake of our stakeholders”, said CESB Chairperson Karlo Alexei B. Nograles.   The members of the Board met on 3 January 2023 and promulgated CESB Resolution No. 1676, which defines ‘on stream candidates’ under the three (3) modes of acquiring CES Eligibility as applied to MC 12.

In defining the “on-stream candidates”, the Board adhered to the principle of liberal application of rules based on substantial justice, recognizing that the intent of MC 12 to ensure continuity of government operation while promoting competence, merit and fitness in the selection and appointment of government officials and employees of departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices in the Executive Branch.

Under the said resolution, the following are considered on-stream candidates: (1) those who have passed the Written Examination; (2) those Portfolio Assessment for the CES (PACES) applicants whose required documents were received by the CESB Secretariat for processing on or before 29 December 2022 and subsequently approved by the Board as embodied in a CESB Resolution  during its first Regular Meeting for 2023; and (3) those Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) graduates occupying CES positions whose required documents were received by the CESB Secretariat on or before 29 December 2022 and subsequently approved by the Board as embodied in a CESB Resolution during its first Regular Meeting for 2023.  The Board emphasizes that this definition shall only be used to interpret MC No. 12. 

MC 12 likewise authorizes officers-in-charge of departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices, including non-CES Officials occupying Career Executive Service (CES) positions to continue to perform their duties and responsibilities until a replacement has been appointed or designated, unless otherwise sooner terminated.  

Government officials covered by MC 12 were reminded to abide by the high standards of ethics in public and discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and patriotism.  Meanwhile, the OP through the MC commits to promote competence, merit, and fitness in the selection and appointment of government officers and personnel of departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices in the executive branch. (PIA-NCR)