Article IX

Constitutional Commissions
Common Provisions on the Constitutional Commissions
There are three constitutional commissions namely the Civil Service Commission or
CSC, Commission on Elections or COMELEC, and the Commission on Audit or COA
which are independent on main branches of the government; ./these are creations
of the constitution and may not be abolished by the ordinary law. The powers of
these bodies are conferred by the constitution and may not be withdrawn or
decreased by law. The chairs and members of the constitutional commissions enjoy
security of tenure and may not be removed from office except by impeachment. The
salaries of the chairs and members of the constitutional commissions may not be
decreased during their continuance in office. The CSC, COA, and COMELEC enjoy
fiscal autonomy. Each constitutional commissions may promulgate its own rules of
procedures. The constitutional commissions appoint their officers and employees
subject to the CSC law. There are 9 common provisions or legal clause conditions
need to oblige. First is Section 1, it says that the three constitutional commissions
which shall be independent as they perform vital functions on the government.
Their integrity is protected by the fact that they are constitutionally created, have
independent powers of appointment and each commission may promulgate its own
procedural rules. In Civil Service Commissions they provide examination to those
who are willing to employed in a Government agencies which is timely relevant to
those who are graduating with a non-board course. In Commission on Audit they are
responsible to put up audit reports especially now that one of the presidential
candidates, Jejomar Binay has an issue about graft and corruption on his several
properties. And the last one which has a big role on the fast approaching
presidential elections on May. They need to implement Kontra Daya for a fair and
honest elections. There are some issues concerning the Commission on Elections
such as preparing for manual voting to ensure elections push through on May 9 or
postpone it. Next is Section 2, it says that members also cannot engage in the
practice of any profession or be financially interested to privileges as it is
confidential and firm. The members of the Constitutional Commissions are
subjected to the same disqualification of the president and the vice-president. The
salaries of members and chairs of a constitutional commission are fixed by law. The
constitution prohibits a decrease in the salaries of members of the constitutional
commissions during their continuance in office. Any diminution of their salaries can
undermine their independence. The next section, Section 3 is about the salary, and
the Government-owned and controlled corporations or GOCC is expecting a hike on
workers salaries since December last year. The bill stated that salaries would be
adjusted over the next four years beginning 2016. In Section 4, which says that the
Constitutional Commissions shall appoint their officials and employees in
accordance with the law. They may be some issues circulating over our country
about bias or inequality on how to handle employees or how to treat them, we must
not stop fighting for equality and let others know about those kind of issues. By
that, they can implement a firm and reliable commission. In Section 5, a
constitutional commission is now constitutionally authorized to promulgate en banc

its own rules concerning pleadings and practice before it or before on its offices but
such rules shall not diminish increase or modify substantive rights. Their approved
annual appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released. In section 6 the
Constitutional Commission shall decide within a sixty-day period from the date case
is submitted for the decision on any case or matter brought before it by a majority
vote of all its members and such decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court.
Such rules, however, shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights. As 6
days ago, Senator Grace Poe who is also running for president announced qualified
to run for president despite of her roller coaster ride due to her citizenship issues
and after loses en banc appeal given by the Commission on Elections or COMELEC.
They en banc on December 23 affirmed the decision of its First and Second divisions
cancelling presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poes certificate of candidacy. Next is
the Section 7, all decisions, orders or rulings of each of the Commissions may now
be elevated to the Supreme Court for review. However, this proceeding is limited to
issues raised by the parties in their perspective pleadings with respect to acts done
with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction. A case or
matter is deemed submitted for decision or resolution upon the filing of the last
pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the rules of the Commission or by the
Commission itself. Unless otherwise provided by this Constitution or by law, any
decision, order, or ruling of each Commission may be brought to the Supreme Court
on certiorari by the aggrieved party within thirty days from receipt of a copy. Factual
findings of facts determined by the Commission may not be raised before the
Supreme Court, considering that the same considered as final. Section 8 also
focuses on this, Rendition of judgement of cases brought before the commission
Resolution must be made within 60 days from the date of its submission for decision
except in some cases, and appeal on such decision can be brought before the
Supreme Court on certiorari by the aggrieved party within 30 days from receipt of
decision. These 9 sections must really implement as to retain proper order of laws
and firm constitution here in our country Philippines. Especially the three
constitutional commissions which play a high essential role in the heartbeat of our
emerging country. All I hope now is that the three constitutional commissions will
continuously be a help to others, execute fairness and equality, no bias, promote
order to their designated obligation and tasks, and mostly inculcate morality as they
do not work for money but the service itself. They must continue to protect and
secure that all the provisions are always upheld and done by everybody.