8/21/2015

G.R. No. 88979

TodayisWednesday,August19,2015

RepublicofthePhilippines
SUPREMECOURT
Manila
ENBANC

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

PADILLA,J.:
Pursuant to the policy of streamlining and trimming the bureaucracy, Republic Act No. 6683 was approved on 2
December1988providingforbenefitsforearlyretirementandvoluntaryseparationfromthegovernmentserviceas
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,includinggovernmentownedorcontrolledcorporationswithoriginalcharters,aswellas
the personnel of all local government units. The benefits authorized under this Act shall apply to all
regular,temporary,casualandemergencyemployees,regardlessofage,whohaverenderedatleasta
total of two (2) consecutive years of government service as of the date of separation. Uniformed
personneloftheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesincludingthoseofthePCINPareexcludedfromthe
coverageofthisAct.
PetitionerLydiaChuabelievingthatsheisqualifiedtoavailofthebenefitsoftheprogram,filedanapplicationon30
January 1989 with respondent National Irrigation Administration (NIA) which, however, denied the same instead,
she was offered separation benefits equivalent to one half (1/2) month basic pay for every year of service
commencing from 1980. A recourse by petitioner to the Civil Service Commission yielded negative results. 1 Her
letterforreconsiderationdated25April1989pleadedthus:

xxxxxxxxx
With due respect, I think the interpretation of the Honorable Commissioner of RA 6683 does not
conformwiththebeneficentpurposeofthelaw.Thelawmerelyrequiresthatagovernmentemployee
whetherregular,temporary,emergency,orcasual,shouldhavetwoconsecutiveyearsofgovernment
serviceinordertobeentitledtoitsbenefits.Imorethanmeettherequirement.Personswhoarenot
entitledareconsultants,expertsandcontractual(s).Astothebudgetneeded,thelawprovidesthatthe
DepartmentofBudgetandManagementwillshoulderacertainportionofthebenefitstobeallottedto
governmentcorporations.Moreover,personneloftheseNIAspecialprojectsartentitledtotheregular
benefits,such(sic)leaves,compulsoryretirementandthelike.Thereisnoreasonwhyweshouldnot
beentitledtoRA6683.
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
DBMCSCCircularLetterNo.891doesnotonlyrequireanapplicanttohavetwoyearsofsatisfactory
service on the date of separation/retirement but further requires said applicant to be on a casual,
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

1/8

8/21/2015

G.R. No. 88979

emergency,temporaryorregularemploymentstatusasofDecember2,1988,thedateofenactmentof
R.A.6683.Thelawdoesnotcontemplatecontractualemployeesinthecoverage.
InasmuchasyouremploymentasofDecember31,1988,thedateofyourseparationfromtheservice,
is coterminous with the NIA project which is contractual in nature, this Commission shall sustain its
originaldecision.
xxxxxxxxx3
Inviewofsuchdenial,petitionerisbeforethisCourtbywayofaspecialcivilactionforcertiorari,insistingthatsheis
entitledtothebenefitsgrantedunderRepublicActNo.6683.Herarguments:
It is submitted that R.A. 6683, as well as Section 3.1 of the Joint DBMCSC Circular Letter No. 891
requiresanapplicanttobeonacasual,emergency,temporaryorregularemploymentstatus.Likewise,
the provisions of Section 23 (sic) of the Joint DBMCSC Circular Letter No. 881, implementing
guidelinesofR.A.No.6683,provides:
"2.3ExcludedfromthebenefitsunderR.A.No.6683arethefollowing:
a) Experts and Consultants hired by agencies for a limited period to perform specific
activitiesorserviceswithadefiniteexpectedoutput:i.e.membershipinTaskForce,Part
Time,Consultant/Employees.
b) Uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines including those of the
PhilippineConstabularyandIntegratedNationalPolice(PCINP).
c)Appointiveofficialsandemployeeswhoretireorelecttobeseparatedfromtheservice
foroptionalretirementwithgratuityunderR.A.No.1616,4968orwithpensionunderR.A.
No.186,asamendedbyR.A.No.6680orP.D.No.1146,anamended,orviceversa.
d) Officials and employees who retired voluntarily prior to the enactment of this law and
havereceivedthecorrespondingbenefitsofthatretirement/separation.
e)Officialsandemployeeswithpendingcasespunishablebymandatoryseparationfrom
the service under existing civil service laws, rules and regulations provided that if such
officialsandemployeesapplyinwritingwithintheprescriptiveperiodfortheavailmentof
thebenefitshereinauthorized,shallbeallowedonlyifacquittedorclearedofallcharges
andtheirapplicationacceptedandapprovedbytheheadofofficeconcerned."
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
withmorereasonthatthispetitionerwhowasholdingapermanentstatusasPersonnelAssistantAand
has rendered almost 15 years of faithful, continuous service in the government should be similarly
rewardedbythebeneficient(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 the Administrative
ServiceintheheadofficeofNIA(theservicerecordwasissuedbytheWatershedManagementandErosionControl
Project (WMECP), Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija). The project, funded by the World Bank, was completed as of 31
December1988,afterwhichpetitioner'spositionbecamefunctusofficio.
2.PetitionerisnotaregularandcareeremployeeofNIAherpositionisnotincludedinitsregularplantilla.She
belongstothenoncareerservice(Sec.6,P.D.No.807)whichisinherentlyshortlived,temporaryandtransienton
theotherhand,retirementpresupposesemploymentforalongperiod.Themostthatanoncareerpersonnelcan
expectupontheexpirationofhisemploymentisfinancialassistance.Petitionerisnotevenqualifiedtoretireunder
theGSISlaw.
3.Assumingarguendothatpetitioner'sappointmentispermanent,securityoftenureisavailableonlyforthetermof
office(i.e.,durationofproject).
4.TheobjectiveofRepublicActNo.6683isnotreallytograntseparationorretirementbenefitsbutreorganization5
tostreamlinegovernmentfunctions.Theapplicationofthelawmustbemadeconsistentwiththepurposeforwhichitwas
enacted. Thus, as the expressed purpose of the law is to reorganize the government, it will not have any application to
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

2/8

8/21/2015

G.R. No. 88979

special projects such as the WMECP which exists only for a short and definite period. This being the nature of special
projects,thereisnonecessityforofferingitspersonnelearlyretirementbenefitsjusttoinducevoluntaryseparationasastep
toreorganization.Infact,thereisevennoneedofreorganizingtheWMECPconsideringitsshortandlimitedlifespan.6

5.Thelawappliesonlytoemployeesofthenationalgovernment,governmentownedorcontrolledcorporationswith
originalchartersandlocalgovernmentunits.
Duetotheimpossibilityofreconcilingtheconflictinginterpretationsoftheparties,theCourtiscalledupontodefine
thedifferentclassesofemployeesinthepublicsector(i.e.governmentcivilservants).
Who are regular employees? The Labor Code in Art. 280 (P.D. No. 492, as amended) deems an employment
regularwheretheemployeehasbeenengagedtoperformactivitieswhichareusuallynecessaryordesirableinthe
usualbusinessortradeoftheemployer.NoequivalentdefinitioncanbefoundinP.D.No.807(promulgatedon6
October1975,whichsupersededtheCivilServiceActof1965R.A.No.2260)orintheAdministrativeCodeof
1987(ExecutiveOrderNo.292promulgatedon25July1987).TheEarlyRetirementLawitself(Rep.ActNo.6683)
merely includes such class of employees (regular employees) in its coverage, unmindful that no such specie is
employedinthepublicsector.
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 Service Act 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,atemporaryappointmentshouldbeissuedtoapersonwhomeetsalltherequirementsforthepositionto
which he is being appointed except the appropriate civil service eligibility: Provided, That such temporary
appointmentshallnotexceedtwelvemonths,buttheappointeemaybereplacedsoonerifaqualifiedcivilservice
eligiblebecomesavailable.8
TheAdministrativeCodeof1987characterizestheCareerServiceas:
(1)OpenCareerpositionsforappointmenttowhichpriorqualificationinanappropriateexaminationis
required
(2)ClosedCareerpositionswhicharescientific,orhighlytechnicalinnaturetheseincludethefaculty
andacademicstaffofstatecollegesanduniversities,andscientificandtechnicalpositionsinscientific
orresearchinstitutionswhichshallestablishandmaintaintheirownmeritsystems
(3) Positions in the Career Executive Service namely, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, Bureau
Director, Assistant Bureau Director, Regional Director, Assistant Regional Director, Chief of
DepartmentServiceandotherofficersofequivalentrankasmaybeidentifiedbytheCareerExecutive
ServiceBoard,allofwhomareappointedbythePresident.
(4) Career officers, other than those in the Career Executive Service, who are appointed by the
President,suchastheForeignServiceOfficersintheDepartmentofForeignAffairs
(5)CommissionofficersandenlistedmenoftheArmedForceswhichshallmaintainaseparatemerit
system
(6) Personnel of governmentowned or controlled corporations, whether performing governmental or
proprietaryfunctions,whodonotfallunderthenoncareerserviceand
(7)Permanentlaborers,whetherskilled,semiskilled,orunskilled.9
TheNonCareerService,ontheotherhand,ischaracterizedby:
...(1)entranceonbasesotherthanthoseoftheusualtestsofmeritandfitnessutilizedforthecareer
serviceand(2)tenurewhichislimitedtoaperiodspecifiedbylaw,orwhichiscoterminouswiththatof
the appointing authority or subject to his pleasure, or which is limited to the duration of a particular
projectforwhichpurposeemploymentwasmade.
Includedinthenoncareerserviceare:
1.electiveofficialsandtheirpersonalorconfidentialstaff
2. secretaries and other officials of Cabinet rank who hold their positions at the pleasure of the
Presidentandtheirpersonalconfidentialstaff(s)
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

3/8

8/21/2015

G.R. No. 88979

3.ChairmanandMembersofCommissionsandboardswithfixedtermsofofficeandtheirpersonalor
confidentialstaff
4.contractualpersonnelorthosewhoseemploymentinthegovernmentisinaccordancewithaspecial
contract to undertake a specific work or job requiring special or technical skills not available in the
employingagency,tobeaccomplishedwithinaspecificperiod,whichinnocaseshallexceedoneyear
andperformsoraccomplishesthespecificworkorjob,underhisownresponsibilitywithaminimumof
directionandsupervisionfromthehiringagency.
5.emergencyandseasonalpersonnel.10
Thereisanothertypeofnoncareeremployee:
Casualwhereandwhenemploymentisnotpermanentbutoccasional,unpredictable,sporadicand
briefinnature(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,shewaswithNIAUPRIIS(UpperPampangaRiverIntegratedIrrigationSystems)DRD.On1June
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,thestatusbecamepermanentuntilthecompletionoftheprojecton31
December 1988. The appointment paper 12 attached to the OSG's comment lists her status as coterminus
withtheProject.

The employment status of personnel hired under foreign assisted projects is considered coterminous, that is,
they are considered employees for the duration of the project or until the completion or cessation of said project
(CSCMemorandumCircularNo.39,S.1990,27June1990).
RepublicActNo.6683seekstocoverandbenefitsregular,temporary,casualandemergencyemployeeswhohave
renderedatleastatotaloftwo(2)consecutiveyearsgovernmentservice.
ResolutionNo.87104oftheCSC,21April1987,provides:
WHEREAS,pursuanttoExecutiveOrderNo.966datedJune22,1984,theCivilServiceCommission
ischargedwiththefunctionofdeterminingcreditableservicesforretiringofficersandemployeesofthe
nationalgovernment
WHEREAS,Section4(b)ofthesameExecutiveOrderNo.966providesthatallpreviousservicesby
an officer/employee pursuant to a duly approved appointment to a position in the Civil Service are
consideredcreditableservices,whileSection6(a)thereofstatesthatservicesrenderedoncontractual,
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,theCommissionresolvedthatservicesrenderedoncontractual,emergencyorcasual
status, irrespective of the mode or manner of payment therefor shall be considered as creditable for
retirementpurposessubjecttothefollowingconditions:(emphasisprovided)
1.Theseservicesaresupportedbyapprovedappointments,officialrecordsand/orother
competentevidence.Parties/agenciesconcernedshallsubmitthenecessaryproofofsaid
services
2.SaidservicesareonfulltimebasisandrenderedpriortoJune22,1984,theeffectivity
dateofExecutiveOrderNo.966and
3.Theservicesforthethree(3)yearsperiodpriortoretirementarecontinuousandfulfill
theservicerequirementforretirement.
What substantial differences exist, if any, between casual, emergency, seasonal, project, coterminous or
contractualpersonnel?Allaretenurialemployeeswithnofixedterm,noncareer,andtemporary.The12May1989
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

4/8

8/21/2015

G.R. No. 88979

CSCletterofdenial13characterizedhereinpetitioner'semploymentascoterminouswiththeNIAprojectwhichinturnwas
contractualinnature.TheOSGsayspetitioner'sstatusiscoterminouswiththeProject.CSCMemorandumCircularNo.11,
seriesof1991(5April1991)characterizesthestatusofacoterminousemployee

(3)Coterminousstatusshallbeissuedtoapersonwhoseentranceintheserviceischaracterizedby
confidentialitybytheappointingauthorityorthatwhichissubjecttohispleasureorcoexistentwithhis
tenure.
Theforegoingstatus(coterminous)maybefurtherclassifiedintothefollowing:
a)coterminouswiththeprojectWhentheappointmentiscoexistentwiththeduration
of a particular project for which purpose employment was made or subject to the
availabilityoffundsforthesame
b)coterminouswiththeappointingauthoritywhenappointmentiscoexistentwiththe
tenureoftheappointingauthority.
c) coterminous with the incumbent when appointment is coexistent with the
appointee, in that after the resignation, separation or termination of the services of the
incumbentthepositionshallbedeemedautomaticallyabolishedand
d)coterminouswithaspecificperiod, e.g. "coterminous for a period of 3 years" the
appointment is for a specific period and upon expiration thereof, the position is deemed
abolished.
Itisstressed,however,thatinthelasttwoclassifications(c)and(d),whatistermedcoterminousisthe
position, and not the appointeeemployee. Further, in (c) the security of tenure of the appointee is
guaranteedduringhisincumbencyin(d)thesecurityoftenureislimitedtoaspecificperiod.
A coterminous employee is a noncareer civil servant, like casual and emergency employees. We see no solid
reasonwhythelatterareextendedbenefitsundertheEarlyRetirementLawbuttheformerarenot.Itwillbenoted
that Rep. Act No. 6683 expressly extends its benefits for early retirement to regular, temporary, casual and
emergencyemployees. But specifically excluded from the benefits are uniformed personnel of the AFP including
those of the PCINP. It can be argued that, expressio unius est exclusio alterius. The legislature would not have
madeaspecificenumerationinastatutehadnottheintentionbeentorestrictitsmeaningandconfineitstermsand
benefitstothoseexpresslymentioned14orcasusomissusproomissohabendusestAperson,objectorthingomitted
fromanenumerationmustbeheldtohavebeenomittedintentionally. 15Yetadherencetotheselegalmaximscanresultin
incongruitiesandinaviolationoftheequalprotectionclauseoftheConstitution.

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

Petitioner Lydia Chua was hired and rehired in four (4) successive projects during a span of fifteen (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,theEarlyRetirementLawwouldviolatetheequalprotectionclausewereweto
sustain respondents' submission that the benefits of said law are to be denied a class of government employees
whoaresimilarlysituatedasthosecoveredbysaidlaw.ThemaximofExpressiouniusestexclusioalteriusshould
notbetheapplicablemaximinthiscasebutthedoctrineofnecessaryimplicationwhichholdsthat:
Nostatutecanbeenactedthatcanprovideallthedetailsinvolvedinitsapplication.Thereisalwaysan
omissionthatmaynotmeetaparticularsituation.Whatisthought,atthetimeofenactment,tobean
allembracinglegislationmaybeinadequatetoprovidefortheunfoldingeventsofthefuture.Socalled
gapsinthelawdevelopasthelawisenforced.Oneoftherulesofstatutoryconstructionusedtofillin
thegapisthedoctrineofnecessaryimplication.Thedoctrinestatesthatwhatisimpliedinastatuteis
as much a part thereof as that which is expressed. Every statute is understood, by implication, to
contain all such provisions as may be necessary to effectuate its object and purpose, or to make
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

5/8

8/21/2015

G.R. No. 88979

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.
Andeverystatutorygrantofpower,rightorprivilegeisdeemedtoincludeallincidentalpower,rightor
privilege. This is so because the greater includes the lesser, expressed in the Maxim, in eo plus sit,
simperinestetminus.18
DuringthesponsorshipspeechofCongressmanDragon(re:EarlyRetirementLaw),inresponsetoCongressman
Dimaporo's interpellation on coverage of state university employees who are extended appointments for one (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
irrespectiveoftheactualstatusornatureoftheappointmentonereceived,butifheoptstoretireunder
this,thenheiscovered.
Itwillbenotedthat,presentlyPendinginCongress,isHouseBillNo.33399(aproposaltoextendthescopeofthe
EarlyRetirementLaw).ItswordingsupportsthesubmissionthatRep.ActNo.6683indeedoverlookedaqualified
groupofcivilservants.Sec.3ofsaidHousebill,oncoverageofearlyretirement,wouldprovide:
Sec. 3. Coverage. It will cover all employees of the national government, including government
ownedorcontrolledcorporations,aswellasthepersonnelofalllocalgovernmentunits.Thebenefits
authorized under this Act 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"asusedinthisAct
does not include experts and consultants hired by agencies for a limited period to perform specific
activitiesorserviceswithdefiniteexpectedoutput.
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 (like the petitioner) defeat such objective? In their case, upon termination of the project and
separation of the project personnel from the service, the term of employment is considered expired, the office
functusofficio. Casual, temporary and contractual personnel serve for shorter periods, and yet, they only have to
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
becomes glaring because casuals are not even in the plantilla, and yet, they are entitled to the benefits of early
retirement.HowcantheobjectiveoftheEarlyRetirementLawoftrimmingthebureaucracybeachievedbygranting
earlyretirementbenefitstoagroupofemployees(casual)withoutplantillapositions?Therewould,insuchacase,
be no abolition of permanent positions or streamlining of functions it would merely be a removal of excess
personnelbutthepositionsremain,andfutureappointmentscanbemadethereto.
Coterminous or project personnel, on the other hand, who have rendered years of continuous service should be
includedinthecoverageoftheEarlyRetirementLaw,aslongastheyfiletheirapplicationpriortotheexpirationof
their term, and as long as they comply with CSC regulations promulgated for such purpose. In this connection,
Memorandum Circular No. 14, Series of 1990 (5 March 1990) implementing Rep. Act No. 6850, 20 requires, as a
conditiontoqualifyforthegrantofeligibility,anaggregateortotalofseven(7)yearsofgovernmentservicewhichneednot
becontinuous,inthecareerornoncareerservice,whetherappointive,elective,casual,emergency,seasonal,contractualor
coterminousincludingmilitaryandpoliceservice,asevaluatedandconfirmedbytheCivilServiceCommission. 21Asimilar
regulationshouldbepromulgatedfortheinclusioninRep.ActNo.6683ofcoterminouspersonnelwhosurvivethetestof
time.Thiswouldbeinkeepingwiththecoverageof"allsociallegislationsenactedtopromotethephysicalandmentalwell
beingofpublicservants"22Afterall,coterminouspersonnel,arealsoobligatedtothegovernmentforGSIScontributions,
medicareandincometaxpayments,withthegeneraldisadvantageoftransience.

Infine,theCourtbelieves,andsoholds,thatthedenialbytherespondentsNIAandCSCofpetitioner'sapplication
forearlyretirementbenefitsunderRep.ActNo.6683isunreasonable,unjustified,andoppressive,aspetitionerhad
filedanapplicationforvoluntaryretirementwithinareasonableperiodandsheisentitledtothebenefitsofsaidlaw.
Whiletheapplicationwasfiledafterexpirationofherterm,wecangiveallowanceforthefactthatsheoriginallyfiled
the application on her own without the assistance of counsel. In the interest of substantial justice, her application
mustbegrantedafterallsheservedthegovernmentnotonlyfortwo(2)yearstheminimumrequirementunder
thelawbutforalmostfifteen(15)yearsinfour(4)successivegovernmentalprojects.
WHEREFORE,thepetitionisGRANTED.
LetthiscaseberemandedtotheCSCNIAforafavorabledispositionofpetitioner'sapplicationforearlyretirement
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

6/8

8/21/2015

G.R. No. 88979

benefitsunderRep.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.
16G.R.No.54083,28February1983,120SCRA910.
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1992/feb1992/gr_88979_1992.html

7/8

8/21/2015

G.R. No. 88979

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