You are on page 1of 8

1/11/2016

G.R.No.88979

TodayisMonday,January11,2016

RepublicofthePhilippines
SUPREMECOURT
Manila
ENBANC

G.R.No.88979February7,1992
LYDIAO.CHUA,petitioner,
vs.
THECIVILSERVICECOMMISSION,THENATIONALIRRIGATIONADMINISTRATIONandTHEDEPARTMENT
OFBUDGETANDMANAGEMENT,respondents.

PADILLA,J.:
Pursuanttothepolicyofstreamliningandtrimmingthebureaucracy,RepublicActNo.6683wasapprovedon2
December1988providingforbenefitsforearlyretirementandvoluntaryseparationfromthegovernmentservice
as well as for involuntary separation due to reorganization. Deemed qualified to avail of its benefits are those
enumeratedinSec.2oftheAct,asfollows:
Sec. 2. Coverage. This Act shall cover all appointive officials and employees of the National
Government, including governmentowned or controlled corporations with original charters, as well
asthepersonnelofalllocalgovernmentunits.ThebenefitsauthorizedunderthisActshallapplyto
allregular,temporary,casualandemergencyemployees,regardlessofage,whohaverenderedat
least a total of two (2) consecutive years of government service as of the date of separation.
Uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines including those of the PCINP are
excludedfromthecoverageofthisAct.
PetitionerLydiaChuabelievingthatsheisqualifiedtoavailofthebenefitsoftheprogram,filedanapplicationon
30 January 1989 with respondent National Irrigation Administration (NIA) which, however, denied the same
instead,shewasofferedseparationbenefitsequivalenttoonehalf(1/2)monthbasicpayforeveryyearofservice
commencingfrom1980.ArecoursebypetitionertotheCivilServiceCommissionyieldednegativeresults. 1 Her
letterforreconsiderationdated25April1989pleadedthus:

xxxxxxxxx
With due respect, I think the interpretation of the Honorable Commissioner of RA 6683 does not
conform with the beneficent purpose of the law. The law merely requires that a government
employeewhetherregular,temporary,emergency,orcasual,shouldhavetwoconsecutiveyearsof
governmentserviceinordertobeentitledtoitsbenefits.Imorethanmeettherequirement.Persons
who are not entitled are consultants, experts and contractual(s).As to the budget needed, the law
provides that the Department of Budget and Management will shoulder a certain portion of the
benefitstobeallottedtogovernmentcorporations.Moreover,personneloftheseNIAspecialprojects
artentitledtotheregularbenefits,such(sic)leaves,compulsoryretirementandthelike.Thereisno
reasonwhyweshouldnotbeentitledtoRA6683.
xxxxxxxxx2
Denyingthepleaforreconsideration,theCivilServiceCommission(CSC)emphasized:
xxxxxxxxx
We regret to inform you that your request cannot be granted.The provision of Section 3.1 of Joint
DBMCSC Circular Letter No. 891 does not only require an applicant to have two years of
satisfactoryserviceonthedateofseparation/retirementbutfurtherrequiressaidapplicanttobeona
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

1/8

1/11/2016

G.R.No.88979

casual, emergency, temporary or regular employment status as of December 2, 1988, the date of
enactmentofR.A.6683.Thelawdoesnotcontemplatecontractualemployeesinthecoverage.
Inasmuch as your employment as of December 31, 1988, the date of your separation from the
service, is coterminous with the NIA project which is contractual in nature, this Commission shall
sustainitsoriginaldecision.
xxxxxxxxx3
Inviewofsuchdenial,petitionerisbeforethisCourtbywayofaspecialcivilactionforcertiorari,insistingthatshe
isentitledtothebenefitsgrantedunderRepublicActNo.6683.Herarguments:
ItissubmittedthatR.A.6683,aswellasSection3.1oftheJointDBMCSCCircularLetterNo.891
requires an applicant to be on a casual, emergency, temporary or regular employment status.
Likewise, the provisions of Section 23 (sic) of the Joint DBMCSC Circular Letter No. 881,
implementingguidelinesofR.A.No.6683,provides:
"2.3ExcludedfromthebenefitsunderR.A.No.6683arethefollowing:
a) Experts and Consultants hired by agencies for a limited period to perform specific
activities or services with a definite expected output: i.e. membership in Task Force,
PartTime,Consultant/Employees.
b) Uniformed personnel of theArmed Forces of the Philippines including those of the
PhilippineConstabularyandIntegratedNationalPolice(PCINP).
c) Appointive officials and employees who retire or elect to be separated from the
service for optional retirement with gratuity under R.A. No. 1616, 4968 or with pension
under R.A. No. 186, as amended by R.A. No. 6680 or P.D. No. 1146, an amended, or
viceversa.
d)Officialsandemployeeswhoretiredvoluntarilypriortotheenactmentofthislawand
havereceivedthecorrespondingbenefitsofthatretirement/separation.
e) Officials and employees with pending cases punishable by mandatory separation
fromtheserviceunderexistingcivilservicelaws,rulesandregulationsprovidedthatif
such officials and employees apply in writing within the prescriptive period for the
availmentofthebenefitshereinauthorized,shallbeallowedonlyifacquittedorcleared
of all charges and their application accepted and approved by the head of office
concerned."
Basedontheaboveexclusions,hereinpetitionerdoesnotbelongtoanyoneofthem.Ms.Chuaisa
full time employee of NIA entitled to all the regular benefits provided for by the Civil Service
Commission.SheheldapermanentstatusasPersonnelAssistantA,apositionwhichbelongstothe
AdministrativeService....IfcasualsandemergencyemployeesweregiventhebenefitofR.A.6683
withmorereasonthatthispetitionerwhowasholdingapermanentstatusasPersonnelAssistantA
and has rendered almost 15 years of faithful, continuous service in the government should be
similarlyrewardedbythebeneficient(sic)purposeofthelaw.4
The NIA and the Civil Service Commission reiterate in their comment petitioner's exclusion from the benefits of
RepublicActNo.6683,because:
1. Petitioner's employment is coterminous with the project per appointment papers kept by theAdministrative
Service in the head office of NIA (the service record was issued by the Watershed Management and Erosion
ControlProject(WMECP),Pantabangan,NuevaEcija).Theproject,fundedbytheWorldBank,wascompletedas
of31December1988,afterwhichpetitioner'spositionbecamefunctusofficio.
2.PetitionerisnotaregularandcareeremployeeofNIAherpositionisnotincludedinitsregularplantilla.She
belongstothenoncareerservice(Sec.6,P.D.No.807)whichisinherentlyshortlived,temporaryandtransient
ontheotherhand,retirementpresupposesemploymentforalongperiod.Themostthatanoncareerpersonnel
canexpectupontheexpirationofhisemploymentisfinancialassistance.Petitionerisnotevenqualifiedtoretire
undertheGSISlaw.
3.Assumingarguendothatpetitioner'sappointmentispermanent,securityoftenureisavailableonlyfortheterm
ofoffice(i.e.,durationofproject).
4. The objective of Republic Act No. 6683 is not really to grant separation or retirement benefits but
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

2/8

1/11/2016

G.R.No.88979

reorganization5tostreamlinegovernmentfunctions.Theapplicationofthelawmustbemadeconsistentwiththepurpose
for which it was enacted.Thus, as the expressed purpose of the law is to reorganize the government, it will not have any
applicationtospecialprojectssuchastheWMECPwhichexistsonlyforashortanddefiniteperiod.Thisbeingthenatureof
specialprojects,thereisnonecessityforofferingitspersonnelearlyretirementbenefitsjusttoinducevoluntaryseparation
asasteptoreorganization.Infact,thereisevennoneedofreorganizingtheWMECPconsideringitsshortandlimitedlife
span.6

5.Thelawappliesonlytoemployeesofthenationalgovernment,governmentownedorcontrolledcorporations
withoriginalchartersandlocalgovernmentunits.
Due to the impossibility of reconciling the conflicting interpretations of the parties, the Court is called upon to
definethedifferentclassesofemployeesinthepublicsector(i.e.governmentcivilservants).
Who are regularemployees? The Labor Code inArt. 280 (P.D. No. 492, as amended) deems an employment
regularwheretheemployeehasbeenengagedtoperformactivitieswhichareusuallynecessaryordesirablein
theusualbusinessortradeoftheemployer.NoequivalentdefinitioncanbefoundinP.D.No.807(promulgated
on 6 October 1975, which superseded the Civil ServiceAct of 1965 R.A. No. 2260) or in theAdministrative
Codeof1987(ExecutiveOrderNo.292promulgatedon25July1987).TheEarlyRetirementLawitself(Rep.Act
No.6683)merelyincludessuchclassofemployees(regularemployees)initscoverage,unmindfulthatnosuch
specieisemployedinthepublicsector.
Theappointmentstatusofgovernmentemployeesinthecareerserviceisclassifiedasfollows:
1. permanent one issued to a person who has met the requirements of the position to which appointment is
made, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil ServiceAct and the Rules and Standards promulgated in
pursuancethereof7
2. temporary In the absence of appropriate eligibles and it becomes necessary in the public interest to fill a
vacancy,atemporaryappointmentshouldbeissuedtoapersonwhomeetsalltherequirementsfortheposition
to which he is being appointed except the appropriate civil service eligibility: Provided, That such temporary
appointmentshallnotexceedtwelvemonths,buttheappointeemaybereplacedsoonerifaqualifiedcivilservice
eligiblebecomesavailable.8
TheAdministrativeCodeof1987characterizestheCareerServiceas:
(1)OpenCareerpositionsforappointmenttowhichpriorqualificationinanappropriateexamination
isrequired
(2)ClosedCareerpositionswhicharescientific,orhighlytechnicalinnaturetheseincludethefaculty
and academic staff of state colleges and universities, and scientific and technical positions in
scientificorresearchinstitutionswhichshallestablishandmaintaintheirownmeritsystems
(3) Positions in the Career Executive Service namely, Undersecretary,Assistant Secretary, Bureau
Director, Assistant Bureau Director, Regional Director, Assistant Regional Director, Chief of
Department Service and other officers of equivalent rank as may be identified by the Career
ExecutiveServiceBoard,allofwhomareappointedbythePresident.
(4) Career officers, other than those in the Career Executive Service, who are appointed by the
President,suchastheForeignServiceOfficersintheDepartmentofForeignAffairs
(5)CommissionofficersandenlistedmenoftheArmedForceswhichshallmaintainaseparatemerit
system
(6)Personnelofgovernmentownedorcontrolledcorporations,whetherperforminggovernmentalor
proprietaryfunctions,whodonotfallunderthenoncareerserviceand
(7)Permanentlaborers,whetherskilled,semiskilled,orunskilled.9
TheNonCareerService,ontheotherhand,ischaracterizedby:
. . . (1) entrance on bases other than those of the usual tests of merit and fitness utilized for the
careerserviceand(2)tenurewhichislimitedtoaperiodspecifiedbylaw,orwhichiscoterminous
withthatoftheappointingauthorityorsubjecttohispleasure,orwhichislimitedtothedurationofa
particularprojectforwhichpurposeemploymentwasmade.
Includedinthenoncareerserviceare:

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

3/8

1/11/2016

G.R.No.88979

1.electiveofficialsandtheirpersonalorconfidentialstaff
2. secretaries and other officials of Cabinet rank who hold their positions at the pleasure of the
Presidentandtheirpersonalconfidentialstaff(s)
3.ChairmanandMembersofCommissionsandboardswithfixedtermsofofficeandtheirpersonal
orconfidentialstaff
4. contractual personnel or those whose employment in the government is in accordance with a
specialcontracttoundertakeaspecificworkorjobrequiringspecialortechnicalskillsnotavailablein
theemployingagency,tobeaccomplishedwithinaspecificperiod,whichinnocaseshallexceedone
year and performs or accomplishes the specific work or job, under his own responsibility with a
minimumofdirectionandsupervisionfromthehiringagency.
5.emergencyandseasonalpersonnel.10
Thereisanothertypeofnoncareeremployee:
Casual where and when employment is not permanent but occasional, unpredictable, sporadic
andbriefinnature(Carov.Rilloroza,102Phil.70Manuelv.P.P.GochecoLumberCo.,96Phil.945)
Considerpetitioner'srecordofservice:
Service with the government commenced on 2 December 1974 designated as a laborer holding
emergencystatuswiththeNIAUpperPampangaRiverProject,R&RDivision. 11 From 24 March
1975to31August1975,shewasaresearchaidewithtemporarystatusonthesameproject.On1September
1975to31December1976,shewaswiththeNIAFESIIIR&RDivision,thenon1January1977to31May
1980, she was with NIA UPR IIS (Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems) DRD. On 1 June
1980,shewenttoNIAW.M.E.C.P.(WatershedManagement&ErosionControlProject)retainingthestatus
of temporary employee. While with this project, her designation was changed to personnel assistant on 5
November1981starting9July1982,thestatusbecamepermanentuntil the completion of the project on 31
December 1988. The appointment paper 12 attached to the OSG's comment lists her status as coterminus
withtheProject.

Theemploymentstatusofpersonnelhiredunderforeignassistedprojectsisconsideredcoterminous,thatis,
theyareconsideredemployeesforthedurationoftheprojectoruntilthecompletionorcessationofsaidproject
(CSCMemorandumCircularNo.39,S.1990,27June1990).
RepublicAct No. 6683 seeks to cover and benefits regular, temporary, casual and emergency employees who
haverenderedatleastatotaloftwo(2)consecutiveyearsgovernmentservice.
ResolutionNo.87104oftheCSC,21April1987,provides:
WHEREAS,pursuanttoExecutiveOrderNo.966datedJune22,1984,theCivilServiceCommission
ischargedwiththefunctionofdeterminingcreditableservicesforretiringofficersandemployeesof
thenationalgovernment
WHEREAS,Section4(b)ofthesameExecutiveOrderNo.966providesthatallpreviousservicesby
an officer/employee pursuant to a duly approved appointment to a position in the Civil Service are
considered creditable services, while Section 6 (a) thereof states that services rendered on
contractual,emergencyorcasualstatusarenoncreditableservices
WHEREAS, there is a need to clarify the aforesaid provisions inasmuch as some contractual,
emergency or casual employment are covered by contracts or appointments duly approved by the
Commission.
NOW, therefore, the Commission resolved that services rendered on contractual, emergency or
casual status, irrespective of the mode or manner of payment therefor shall be considered as
creditableforretirementpurposessubjecttothefollowingconditions:(emphasisprovided)
1.Theseservicesaresupportedbyapprovedappointments,officialrecordsand/orother
competent evidence. Parties/agencies concerned shall submit the necessary proof of
saidservices
2.SaidservicesareonfulltimebasisandrenderedpriortoJune22,1984,theeffectivity
dateofExecutiveOrderNo.966and
3.Theservicesforthethree(3)yearsperiodpriortoretirementarecontinuousandfulfill
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

4/8

1/11/2016

G.R.No.88979

theservicerequirementforretirement.
What substantial differences exist, if any, between casual, emergency, seasonal, project, coterminous or
contractual personnel?All are tenurial employees with no fixed term, noncareer, and temporary. The 12 May
1989CSCletterofdenial 13characterizedhereinpetitioner'semploymentascoterminous with the NIA project which in
turn was contractual in nature. The OSG says petitioner's status is coterminous with the Project. CSC Memorandum
CircularNo.11,seriesof1991(5April1991)characterizesthestatusofacoterminousemployee

(3)Coterminousstatusshallbeissuedtoapersonwhoseentranceintheserviceischaracterizedby
confidentialitybytheappointingauthorityorthatwhichissubjecttohispleasureorcoexistentwith
histenure.
Theforegoingstatus(coterminous)maybefurtherclassifiedintothefollowing:
a) coterminous with the project When the appointment is coexistent with the
duration of a particular project for which purpose employment was made or subject to
theavailabilityoffundsforthesame
b) coterminous with the appointing authority when appointment is coexistent with
thetenureoftheappointingauthority.
c) coterminous with the incumbent when appointment is coexistent with the
appointee,inthataftertheresignation,separationorterminationoftheservicesofthe
incumbentthepositionshallbedeemedautomaticallyabolishedand
d)coterminouswithaspecificperiod,e.g."coterminousforaperiodof3years"the
appointmentisforaspecificperiodanduponexpirationthereof,thepositionisdeemed
abolished.
Itisstressed,however,thatinthelasttwoclassifications(c)and(d),whatistermedcoterminousis
theposition,andnottheappointeeemployee.Further,in(c)thesecurityoftenureoftheappointee
isguaranteedduringhisincumbencyin(d)thesecurityoftenureislimitedtoaspecificperiod.
A coterminousemployeeis a noncareer civil servant, like casualandemergency employees. We see no solid
reason why the latter are extended benefits under the Early Retirement Law but the former are not. It will be
notedthatRep.ActNo.6683expresslyextendsitsbenefitsforearlyretirementtoregular,temporary,casualand
emergencyemployees.ButspecificallyexcludedfromthebenefitsareuniformedpersonneloftheAFPincluding
thoseofthePCINP.Itcanbearguedthat,expressiouniusestexclusioalterius.Thelegislaturewouldnothave
madeaspecificenumerationinastatutehadnottheintentionbeentorestrictitsmeaningandconfineitsterms
andbenefitstothoseexpresslymentioned 14orcasusomissusproomissohabendusestAperson,objectorthing
omittedfromanenumerationmustbeheldtohavebeenomittedintentionally. 15Yetadherencetotheselegalmaximscan
resultinincongruitiesandinaviolationoftheequalprotectionclauseoftheConstitution.

ThecaseofFegurin,etal.v.NLRC,etal.,16comestomindwhere,workersbelongingtoaworkpool,hiredandrehired
continuouslyfromoneprojecttoanotherwereconsiderednonprojectregularandpermanentemployees.

PetitionerLydiaChuawashiredandrehiredinfour(4)successiveprojectsduringaspanoffifteen(15)years.
Althoughnoproofoftheexistenceofaworkpoolcanbeassumed,herservicerecordcannotbedisregarded.
Art.III,Sec.1ofthe1987Constitutionguarantees:"Nopersonshallbedeprivedoflife,liberty,orpropertywithout
dueprocessoflaw,norshallanypersonbedeniedtheequalprotectionofthelaws."
...InFelwavs.Salas,L26511,Oct.29,1966,Weruledthattheequalprotectionclauseappliesonly
topersonsorthingsidenticallysituatedanddoesnotbarareasonableclassificationofthesubjectof
legislation, and a classification is reasonable where (1) it is based on substantial distinctions which
makerealdifferences(2)thesearegermanetothepurposeofthelaw(3)theclassificationapplies
notonlytopresentconditionsbutalsotofutureconditionswhicharesubstantiallyidenticaltothoseof
thepresent(4)theclassificationappliesonlytothosewhobelongtothesameclass.17
Applyingthecriteriasetforthabove,theEarlyRetirementLawwouldviolatetheequalprotectionclausewerewe
to sustain respondents' submission that the benefits of said law are to be denied a class of government
employees who are similarly situated as those covered by said law.The maxim of Expressio unius est exclusio
alteriusshouldnotbetheapplicablemaximinthiscasebutthedoctrineofnecessaryimplicationwhichholdsthat:
Nostatutecanbeenactedthatcanprovideallthedetailsinvolvedinitsapplication.Thereisalways
anomissionthatmaynotmeetaparticularsituation.Whatisthought,atthetimeofenactment,tobe
anallembracinglegislationmaybeinadequatetoprovidefortheunfoldingeventsofthefuture.So
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

5/8

1/11/2016

G.R.No.88979

calledgapsinthelawdevelopasthelawisenforced.Oneoftherulesofstatutoryconstructionused
tofillinthegapisthedoctrineofnecessaryimplication.Thedoctrinestatesthatwhatisimpliedina
statute is as much a part thereof as that which is expressed. Every statute is understood, by
implication,tocontainallsuchprovisionsasmaybenecessarytoeffectuateitsobjectandpurpose,
or to make effective rights, powers, privileges or jurisdiction which it grants, including all such
collateral and subsidiary consequences as may be fairly and logically inferred from its terms. Ex
necessitate legis. And every statutory grant of power, right or privilege is deemed to include all
incidentalpower,rightorprivilege.Thisissobecausethegreaterincludesthelesser,expressedin
theMaxim,ineoplussit,simperinestetminus.18
DuringthesponsorshipspeechofCongressmanDragon(re:EarlyRetirementLaw),inresponsetoCongressman
Dimaporo'sinterpellationoncoverageofstateuniversityemployeeswhoareextendedappointmentsforone(1)
year,renewablefortwo(2)orthree(3)years,19heexplained:
This Bill covers only those who would like to go on early retirement and voluntary separation. It is
irrespective of the actual status or nature of the appointment one received, but if he opts to retire
underthis,thenheiscovered.
Itwillbenotedthat,presentlyPendinginCongress,isHouseBillNo.33399(aproposaltoextendthescopeof
the Early Retirement Law). Its wording supports the submission that Rep. Act No. 6683 indeed overlooked a
qualifiedgroupofcivilservants.Sec.3ofsaidHousebill,oncoverageofearlyretirement,wouldprovide:
Sec.3.Coverage. It will cover all employees of the national government, including government
ownedorcontrolledcorporations,aswellasthepersonnelofalllocalgovernmentunits.Thebenefits
authorized under thisAct shall apply to all regular, temporary, casual, emergency and contractual
employees, regardless of age, who have rendered at least a total of two (2) consecutive years
governmentserviceasofthedateofseparation.Theterm"contractualemployees"asusedinthis
Act does not include experts and consultants hired by agencies for a limited period to perform
specificactivitiesorserviceswithdefiniteexpectedoutput.
Uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including those of the PCINP are
excludedfromthecoverageofthisAct.(emphasissupplied)
The objective of the Early Retirement or Voluntary Separation Law is to trim the bureaucracy, hence, vacated
positions are deemed abolished upon early/voluntary retirement of their occupants. Will the inclusion of co
terminouspersonnel(likethepetitioner)defeatsuchobjective?Intheircase,uponterminationoftheprojectand
separation of the project personnel from the service, the term of employment is considered expired, the office
functusofficio.Casual,temporaryandcontractualpersonnelserveforshorterperiods,andyet,theyonlyhaveto
establish two (2) years of continuous service to qualify.This, incidentally, negates the OSG's argument that co
terminous or project employment is inherently shortlived, temporary and transient, whereas, retirement
presupposes employment for a long period. Here, violation of the equal protection clause of the Constitution
becomesglaringbecausecasualsarenotevenintheplantilla,andyet,theyareentitledtothebenefitsofearly
retirement. How can the objective of the Early Retirement Law of trimming the bureaucracy be achieved by
granting early retirement benefits to a group of employees (casual) without plantilla positions? There would, in
suchacase,benoabolitionofpermanentpositionsorstreamliningoffunctionsitwouldmerelybearemovalof
excesspersonnelbutthepositionsremain,andfutureappointmentscanbemadethereto.
Coterminousorprojectpersonnel,ontheotherhand,whohaverenderedyearsofcontinuousserviceshouldbe
includedinthecoverageoftheEarlyRetirementLaw,aslongastheyfiletheirapplicationpriortotheexpirationof
their term, and as long as they comply with CSC regulations promulgated for such purpose. In this connection,
MemorandumCircularNo.14,Seriesof1990(5March1990)implementingRep.ActNo.6850, 20 requires, as a
conditiontoqualifyforthegrantofeligibility,anaggregateortotalofseven(7)yearsofgovernmentservicewhichneednot
be continuous, in the career or noncareer service, whether appointive, elective, casual, emergency, seasonal, contractual
or coterminous including military and police service, as evaluated and confirmed by the Civil Service Commission. 21 A
similar regulation should be promulgated for the inclusion in Rep.Act No. 6683 of coterminous personnel who survive the
test of time. This would be in keeping with the coverage of "all social legislations enacted to promote the physical and
mental wellbeing of public servants"22After all, coterminous personnel, are also obligated to the government for GSIS
contributions,medicareandincometaxpayments,withthegeneraldisadvantageoftransience.

In fine, the Court believes, and so holds, that the denial by the respondents NIA and CSC of petitioner's
applicationforearlyretirementbenefitsunderRep.ActNo.6683isunreasonable,unjustified,andoppressive,as
petitioner had filed an application for voluntary retirement within a reasonable period and she is entitled to the
benefitsofsaidlaw.Whiletheapplicationwasfiledafterexpirationofherterm,wecangiveallowanceforthefact
thatsheoriginallyfiledtheapplicationonherownwithouttheassistanceofcounsel.Intheinterestofsubstantial
justice, her application must be granted after all she served the government not only for two (2) years the
minimumrequirementunderthelawbutforalmostfifteen(15)yearsinfour(4)successivegovernmentalprojects.
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

6/8

1/11/2016

G.R.No.88979

WHEREFORE,thepetitionisGRANTED.
Let this case be remanded to the CSCNIA for a favorable disposition of petitioner's application for early
retirementbenefitsunderRep.ActNo.6683,inaccordancewiththepronouncementsinthisdecision.
SOORDERED.
Narvasa,C.J.,MelencioHerrera,Cruz,Paras,Feliciano,Bidin,GrioAquino,Medialdea,Regalado,Davide,Jr.,
RomeroandNocon,JJ.,concur.

SeparateOpinions

GUTIERREZ,JR.,J.,concurring:
IconcurbutonlyinsofarasourrulingsareappliedtoRA6683applicants.

SeparateOpinions
GUTIERREZ,JR.,J.,concurring:
IconcurbutonlyinsofarasourrulingsareappliedtoRA6683applicants.
Footnotes
1LetterofCommissionerSamiloBorlongay,17March1989.
2Annex"E",Rollo,P.11
3Annex"F",Rollo,p.14.
4Rollo,p.2425.
5ANACTPROVIDINGBENEFITSFOREARLY,RETIREMENTANDVOLUNTARYSEPARATION
FROMTHEGOVERNMENTSERVICE,ASWELLASINVOLUNTARYSEPARATIONOFCIVIL
SERVICEOFFICERSANDEMPLOYEESPURSUANTTOVARIOUSEXECUTIVEORDERS
AUTHORIZINGGOVERNMENTREORGANIZATIONAFTERTHERATIFICATIONOFTHE1987
CONSTITUTIONAPPROPRIATINGFUNDSTHEREFOR,ANDFOROTHERPURPOSES.
6SeeJointDBMCSCCircularLetterNo.881,12December1988,Rollo,61.
7Sec.25,aandb,P.D.No.807seealsoCSCMemorandumCircularNo.11,S.of1991,5April
1991.
8Ibid.,alsoPerezv.CityofSanCarlos,G.R.No.L48196R,11July1978Atav.Namocatcat,G.R.
No.L35703,30October1972,47SCRA320.
9ExecutiveOrderNo.292,Section7,83O.G.No.39,75(September1987)
10Ibid,Section9,p.77.
11PerServiceRecord,Rollo,p.7.
12Rollo,p.70.
13Page3,thisdecision.
14SeeAgpalo,Ruben.StatutoryConstruction,1986ed.p.161.
15Peoplev.Manantan,115Phil.664.
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

7/8

1/11/2016

G.R.No.88979

16G.R.No.54083,28February1983,120SCRA910.
17OrmocSugarCo.v.TreasurerofOrmocCity,L23794,17February1968.
18StatutoryConstructionbyRubenE.Agpalo,1986ed.,p.118119citingInreDick,38Phil.41
(1918)CityofManilav.Gomez,G.R.No.L37251,August31,1981,107SCRA98Escribanov.
Ovila,G.R.No.L30375,September12,1978,85SCRA245(1978),alsoGoChicov.Martinez,45
Phil.256(1923)Gatchalianv.COMELEC,G.R.No.L32560,October22,1970,35SCRA435
(1970)Peoplev.UyJuiPio,102Phil.679(1957)andPeoplev.Aquino,83Phil.614(1949).
19DeliberationsHouseBillNo.49428March1988,6:30.p.m.
20AnActtoGrantCivilServiceEligibilityUnderCertainConditionstoGovernmentEmployeesUnder
ProvisionalorTemporaryStatusWhohaverenderedaTotalofSeven(7)YearsofEfficientService
andforotherPurposes.
21Rule1,Sec.2(c)asamendedbyMemorandumCircularNo.25,seriesof1990,21May1990.
22SeeJointCSCDBMCircularNo.1,seriesof1991,27June1991.

TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

8/8

You might also like