Press Release
April 13, 2008

Angara seeks to establish stringent qualification standards for legislative officers

In an effort to strengthen the legislative appointment and career development systems in Congress, Senator Edgardo J. Angara filed a bill seeking to establish a legislative career service that would allow the admission and training of competent and qualified civil servants.

"There is a need to create and maintain a pool of strong, dedicated and competent public servants in the field of legislation to ensure that our elected Senators and House Representatives are provided the much-needed administrative and technical support to carry out their roles in a representative democracy," Angara said.

"There is no doubt that the functions of Congress have gone beyond that of plenary of work. Legislative research, bill drafting and administrative management have to be undertaken to complement the lawmaking duties of our legislators. The role of the Secretariat as a support system in Congress, therefore, becomes unique and specialized. Thus, the qualification standards of legislative personnel are specific and must conform not only to the Civil Service rules but also to parliamentary rules, precedents, practices and traditions," he added.

The proposed measure likewise seeks the creation of Legislative Career Service Board to ensure the recruitment and training of a service-wide pool of properly selected and development-oriented legislative corps and devices a retirement scheme for all officers and employees in the Legislative Career Service.

The Board shall determine and evaluate the qualifications of applicants for Legislative Career Service Officers (LCSO) positions, conduct an annual review of the qualifications of LCSO, establish and conduct a performance evaluation system for LCSOs and perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Senate President or House Speaker.

"Now is the time to acknowledge the men and women behind the work of senators and representatives of the people if only for their untiring support and dedication to this great political institution," he stressed.

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