Reorganizing the Selection and Promotion Board for the Lower Courts (SPB-LC)

August 13, 2001

SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 42-01

REORGANIZING THE SELECTION AND PROMOTION BOARD FOR THE LOWER COURTS (SPB-LC)

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9, Rule VI of the Omnibus Rules implementing Book V of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the "Administrative Code of 1987", a Selection and Promotion Board for the lower courts other than the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals, was created under Administrative Order No. 64-93 dated 30 April 1993, which was amended by Administrative Order No. 64-93A dated 27 July 1994;

WHEREAS, the said Selection and Promotion Board for the Lower Courts hereafter (SPB-LC) is tasked to assiduously study and screen applications for positions in the lower courts, and thereafter, make recommendations thereon to the Supreme Court for approval;

WHEREAS, it has been observed that regular members designate representatives to attend the meetings, which practice is not conducive to the best interest of the Board as the representatives designated may not possess the necessary background on the selection process for which the regular members have been selected;

WHEREFORE:

I. Administrative Circular No. 64-93A dated 27 July 1994 is hereby amended and the existing SPB-LC is reorganized with the following composition:

 

Chairman	—	The Court Administrator
Vice-Chairman	—	The Most Senior Deputy Court Administrator
Members	—	Representative from the Office of the Chief
		Justice
	—	The Head of the Office of Administrative
		Services of the Office of the Court
		Administrator
	—	Two (2) Representatives of the Philippine
		Association of Court Employees
	—	One (1) from the 1st level positions and one
		(1) from the 2nd level positions, who shall
		serve only as such representative for a period
		of two (2) years. Both representatives shall
		participate only in the screening of candidates
		for vacancies in the level which they
		represent.
Secretary-Recorder	—	To be designated by the Chairman
Asst. Secretary-Recorder	—	To be designated by the Chairman

 

II. Specifically, the SPB-LC shall act on the following:

1. When an applicant who is not yet in the service is recommended to a vacant position and there are qualified applicants thereto who are already in the service;

2. When more than one (1) applicant for the same position are recommended by the Presiding Judge; EHaASD

3. When an applicant recommended by the Acting Presiding Judge in his designated court is different from the recommendee of the permanent judge therein who is detailed to another court;

4. When an applicant recommended by the Acting Presiding Judge or by the regular Presiding Judge detailed in another court is different from the recommendee of the Executive Judge;

5. When the recommendee of a judge is objected to by a co-employee of the nominee belonging to the same court; and

6. Such other matters as may be referred to the SPB-LC for resolution.

The recommendee of the Presiding Judge shall be given priority only if said applicant-recommendee possesses superior qualifications than, or is at least equally qualified as, the other applicants.

III. The SPB-LC shall meet at least once a month to consider applications for initial employment or promotion. In default of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall preside at the meeting.

IV. The resolution of the SPB-LC shall be in the prescribed format, to be signed by all those who participated thereon and to be submitted to the Office of the Chief Justice within ten (10) days from its approval by the Board.

V. The members of the SPB-LC shall not be allowed to designate or delegate authority to a representative.

VI. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Members, Secretary and Asst. Secretary shall receive the expense allowances presently authorized.

This Administrative Circular shall take effect on the fifteenth day of September 2001.

The Philippine Association of Court Employees (PACE) shall submit to the Office of the Chief Justice its By-Laws and the CSC/BLR accreditation not later than 30 September 2001.

Issued this 13th day of August 2001.

(SGD.) HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.Chief Justice

(SGD.) JOSUE N. BELLOSILLOAssociate Justice

(SGD.) JOSE A.R. MELOAssociate Justice

(By virtue and pursuant to A.M. No. 99-1-05-SC and A.M. No. 99-12-08-SC)