Appointments for Vacancies in the Lower Courts

OCA Circular No. 98-2022Supreme Court Issuances

OCA Circular No. 98-2022 outlines the guidelines for appointing personnel to fill vacancies in the lower courts of the Philippines. It details the required documentary submissions from both the branch and applicants, including recommendations, certifications, and personal data sheets, emphasizing the importance of a thorough vetting process. The circular mandates that the Clerk of Court ensure all documents are complete before submission to the Office of Administrative Services. Additionally, it sets qualification standards for various court positions, including educational requirements, experience, and training necessary for different roles within the judiciary. Compliance with these guidelines is mandatory for all concerned parties.

April 28, 2022

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 98-2022

TO : All Judges and Personnel of the Lower Courts
     
SUBJECT : Appointments for Vacancies in the Lower Courts

 

Please take notice of the following guidelines in the appointment for vacancies in the lower courts:

1. The posting of the Notice of Vacancy should be accompanied by the checklist of documentary requirements which are to be submitted to the Office of Administrative Services, Office of the Court Administrator (OAS, OCA);

The following are the checklist of requirements for appointment in the lower courts:

I. From the Branch/OCC to be submitted to the Office of Administrative Services, OCA:

1. Original copy of the favorable recommendation of the Executive Judge (for vacancies in the Office of the Clerk of Court) or the Presiding Judge (for vacancies in the branch);

2. Original copy of the indorsement of the Executive Judge (for vacancies in the branch);

3. Comment of the Clerk of Court on the application (for vacancies in the Office of the Clerk of Court);

4. Certification under oath by the Presiding Judge/Executive Judge that the list submitted contains the name/s of all the applicant/s who applied for the position pursuant to OCA Circular No. 74-2010;

5. Certification under oath by the Clerk of Court that the position to be filled has been posted in three (3) conspicuous places in the court's premises and other public places for a period of at least ten (10) calendar days pursuant to Republic Act No. 7041, indicating the date when the notice was posted and the public places where it was posted pursuant to OCA Circular No. 74-2010, as amended by OCA Circular No. 44-2013;

6. Report on the result of the competency examination together with a copy of the shorthand notes and transcription thereof, pursuant to OCA Circular No. 124-2004 (for Court Stenographer positions only);

7. Certification issued by the Clerk of Court duly certified by the Presiding Judge/Executive Judge as to the applicant's knowledge and proficiency in the use and operation of computer, (for Data Entry Machine Operator II position only); and

8. SPB LC Forms required under OCA Circular No. 128-2016 (Recommendation Form; Interview Form; and Examination Results Form).

II. From the applicants to be submitted to the Clerk of Court:

A. Common requirements: cSEDTC

1. Four (4) copies of properly, completely and recently accomplished Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form 212, Rev. 2017) with latest 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (passport size) pictures, including additional Work Experience Sheet;

2. Two (2) Authenticated copies of the Civil Service Eligibility with the attached Official Receipt for authentication (certified by the CSC Regional Office) or authenticated copies of Board Rating and PRC License with Official Receipt (OR) of payment (for vacancies requiring civil service eligibility or passing a professional board examination);

3. Authenticated copy of the Transcript of School Records (Duly certified by the School Registrar);

4. Proof of completion of Secretarial/Stenography course or units in Stenography (for Court Stenographer positions only);

5. Sworn Affidavit executed by applicant/recommendee that he/she has no incumbent relative(s) within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity in subject branch/office; and

6. Certified copy of proof of completion of relevant Training/Seminar conducted by a training institution accredited by the Civil Service Commission (for vacancies requiring relevant training or seminar).

B. Additional documents for Original Appointment (initial entry into the career or non-career service): 1

1. Original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) copy of his/her Birth Certificate;

2. Original PSA copy (PSA) of Marriage Contract for married women;

3. Original copy of latest NBI Clearance;

4. Certification of employment from present and previous offices, indicating therein the period of employment and statement of duties and responsibilities (may be required to prove relevant experience); and

5. Latest Medical Certificate (CSC Form No. 211, Revised 2017) with attached original copy of laboratory results. If in case the same could not be submitted yet, the applicant for the meantime can submit an affidavit that he/she is fit to work subject to the submission of the said medical certificate.

C. Additional documents for Promotion/Transfer (within the Judiciary):

1. Latest Performance Rating (IPCR) Form in the last rating period;

2. Permit to transfer;

3. Clearance from present office indicating no money and property accountabilities;

4. Certification from present office of no pending transcription of stenographic notes (for Court Stenographers); and

5. Certification of employment from present and previous office, indicating the period of employment and statement of duties and responsibilities (may be required to prove relevant experience).

D. Additional documents for Promotion/Transfer (from other government agency):

1. Latest Individual Performance Commitment and Review (IPCR) Form in the last rating period;

2. Clearance from present office indicating no money and property accountabilities (If the clearance cannot be obtain, a letter from the applicant explaining the reason why he/she cannot submit the requirement);

3. Latest Authenticated copy of service record;

4. Certified photocopy of last approved appointment; and SDAaTC

5. Certification of employment from present and previous office, indicating therein the period of employment and statement of duties and responsibilities (may be required to prove relevant experience).

2. In recommending applicants for the position, the Executive Judge (for vacancies in the Office of the Clerk of Court) or the Presiding Judge (for vacancies in the branch) should make sure that his/her recommendee is qualified for appointment taking into account the qualification standards for the subject vacancy. (see Annex "A").

3. Before submitting the application papers to the Office of Administrative Services, OCA, it is the duty of the Clerk of Court to make sure that all the pertinent and needed documentary requirements enumerated in item no. 1 are complete and the required forms properly filled. In connection herewith, Clerks of Court should coordinate with the Processor-in-Charge of their respective areas in the RTC Personnel Division or the MTC, etc. Personnel Division of the OAS, OCA to make sure that herein guidelines are faithfully followed.

For strict compliance of all concerned.

(SGD.) RAUL BAUTISTA VILLANUEVACourt Administrator

ANNEX A

Qualification Standards for First and Second Level Court Officials and Personnel

POSITION TITLE

SG

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

TRAINING REQUIREMENT

ELIGIBILITY

Clerk of Court VII

RTC (OCC 16-74 salas)

26

Bachelor of Laws

3-years of relevant experience

16-hours of relevant training

RA 1080 (BAR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk of Court VI

RTC (single sala, OCC 2-15 salas) (OCC Asst. Clerk of Court of 16-74 salas)

MeTC (OCC, Manila 22-30 salas) Quezon City, Mandaluyong City 11-15 salas)

SDC (single salas)

25

Bachelor of Laws

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

RA 1080 (BAR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk of Court V

RTC (Br. Clerk of Court, OCC Asst. Clerk of Court 7-15 salas)

MeTC (OCC Makati City, Caloocan City, Parañaque City 7-10 salas)

24

Bachelor of Laws

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

RA 1080 (BAR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk of Court IV

MeTC (OCC of 2-6 salas, single sala)

MTCC (OCC of 2-10 salas, single sala)

23

Bachelor of Laws

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk of Court III

MeTC (OCC, Asst. Clerk of Court, 5-30 salas, all branches)

MTCC (OCC, Asst. Clerk of Court, 4-10 salas, all branches)

22

Bachelor of Laws

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk of Court II

MTC (OCC of 2-3 salas & single sala)

MCTC (OCC of 2-3 salas & single sala)

SCC (single salas)

18

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk of Court I

MCTC (Br. Clerk of Court of 2-3 salas)

MTC (Br. Clerk of Court of 2-3 salas)

15

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Officer V

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

24

Masteral Degree

4-years of relevant experience

24 hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Officer IV

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

22

Bachelor's degree

3-years of relevant experience

16-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Officer III

RTC (OCC of 22-72 salas)

MeTC Manila (OCC of 22-30 salas)

18

Bachelor's degree

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Officer II

RTC (OCC of 16-72 salas)

MeTC (OCC of 5-30 salas)

MTCC (OCC of 7-10 salas)

15

Bachelor's degree

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Officer I

RTC (OCC of 7-72 salas)

MeTC (OCC of 22-30 salas)

MTCC (OCC of 4-10 salas)

11

Bachelor's degree

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Records Officer V

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

24

Masteral Degree

4-years of relevant experience

24-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Records Officer IV

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

22

Bachelor's degree

3-years of relevant experience

16-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Records Officer III

RTC (OCC of 22-74 salas)

MeTC Manila (OCC of 22-30 salas)

18

Bachelor's degree

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Records Officer II

RTC (OCC of 16-74 salas)

MeTC (OCC of 5-30 salas)

MTCC (OCC of 7-10 salas)

14

Bachelor's degree

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Records Officer I

MeTC, MTCC (OCC of 2-30 salas)

MTC, MCTC (OCC of 2-3 salas)

10

Bachelor's degree

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Welfare Officer III

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

18

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

RA 1080 (Social Worker)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Welfare Officer II

RTC (OCC of 2-74 salas)

15

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

RA 1080 (Social Worker)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supply Officer III

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

18

Bachelor's degree

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supply Officer II

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

14

Bachelor's degree

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cashier III

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

MeTC Manila (OCC of 22-30 salas)

18

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cashier II

RTC (OCC of 16-74 salas)

MeTC Manila (OCC of 22-30 salas)

14

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cashier I

RTC (OCC of 31-74 salas)

MeTC, MTCC (OCC of 2-30 salas)

MTC, MCTC (OCC of 2-3 salas)

10

Bachelor's degree

None Required

None Required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Librarian III

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

18

Bachelor's degree in Library Science or Information Science or Bachelor of Science in Education/Arts major in Library Science

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

RA-1080 (Librarian)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Librarian II

RTC (OCC of 7-74 salas)

15

Bachelor's degree in Library Science or Information Science or Bachelor of Science in Education/Arts major in Library Science

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

RA-1080 (Librarian)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Librarian I

RTC (OCC of 4-6 salas) (16-21 salas)

11

Bachelor's degree in Library Science or Information Science or Bachelor of Science in Education/Arts major in Library Science

None required

None required

RA 1080 (Librarian)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human Resource Management Officer III

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

18

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human Resource Management Officer II

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

15

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human Resource Management Officer I

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

11

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human Resource Management Assistant

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

8

Completion of 2 years studies in college

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statistician III

RTC Manila (OCC of 73-74 salas)

18

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statistician II

RTC (OCC of 22-74 salas)

15

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statistician I

RTC (OCC of 22-74 salas)

11

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assistant Statistician

RTC (OCC of 22-74 salas)

9

Completion of 2 years studies in college

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Court Legal Researcher II

RTC (all branches & single sala)

SDC (single sala)

15

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job.

As an additional requirement, the applicant must have completed at least two (2) years of study in a college of law

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Court Legal Researcher I

MeTC, MTCC (all branches)

12

Bachelor's degree relevant to the job.

As an additional requirement, the applicant must have completed at least two (2) years of study in a college of law

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpreter III

RTC (all branches & single sala)

SDC (single sala)

12

Bachelor's degree

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpreter II

MeTC, MTCC (all branches & single sala)

10

Bachelor's degree

None required

None required

CS-P/2nd Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpreter I

MTC, MCTC, SCC (all branches & single sala)

8

Completion of 2 years studies in college

None required

None required

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheriff IV

RTC (OCC, all branches & single sala)

12

Completion of 2 years studies in college

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheriff III

MeTC, MTCC (OCC, all branches & single sala)

SDC (single sala)

10

Completion of 2 years studies in college

None required

None required

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Court Stenographer III

RTC (OCC, all branches & single sala) SDC

12

Completion of 2 years studies in college.

As an additional requirement, the applicant must have earned units/short course in stenography

2-years of relevant experience

8-hours of relevant training

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Court Stenographer II

MeTC (OCC of 11-30 salas, all branches & single sala)

MTCC (all branches & single sala)

10

Completion of 2 years studies in college.

As an additional requirement, the applicant must have earned units/short course in stenography

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Court Stenographer I

MTC, MCTC, SCC (all branches & single sala)

8

Completion of 2 years studies in college.

As an additional requirement, the applicant must have earned units/short course in stenography

None required

None required

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data Entry Machine Operator II

RTC (OCC & single sala)

8

Completion of 2 years studies in college or High School Graduate with relevant vocational/trade course

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk IV

RTC (OCC of 2-6, 11-15, 31-74 salas)

MeTC (OCC of 2-3, 22-30 salas)

MTCC (OCC of 2-10 salas all branches & single sala)

MTC, MCTC (OCC of 2-3 salas)

SDC (single sala)

8

Completion of 2 years studies in college

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk III

RTC (all branches & single sala)

MeTC, MTCC (OCC & all branches)

MTC, MCTC (OCC of 2-3 salas)

SDC (single sala)

6

Completion of 2 years studies in college

None required

None required

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk II

RTC (OCC 7-15, 22-30, 73-74 salas)

MTC, MCTC, SCC (all branches & single sala)

4

Completion of 2 years studies in college

None required

None required

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Clerk III

RTC (OCC 4-15, 31-74 salas)

MeTC (OCC 4-30 salas & single sala)

MTCC (OCC 4-10 salas & single sala)

8

Completion of 2 years studies in college

1-year of relevant experience

4-hours of relevant training

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Clerk II

RTC (OCC 2-3, 22-30 salas)

MeTC (OCC of 2-3, 7-30 salas)

MTCC (OCC of 2-3 & 7-10 salas)

MTC, MCTC (OCC of 2-3 salas)

6

Completion of 2 years studies in college

None required

None required

CS-SP/1st Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Process Server

RTC (OCC, all branches & single sala)

MeTC, MTCC (OCC, all branches & single sala)

SDC (single sala)

5

High School graduate

None required

None required

None required

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junior Process Server

MTC, MCTC (OCC, all branches & single sala)

SCC (single sala)

3

High School graduate

None required

None required

None required

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility Worker I

all courts (OCC, all branches & single sala)

1

Must be able to read and write

None required

None required

None required

Footnotes

1. Section 11 (a), Item IV, 2017 Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions.