Former Sanggunian members have the option to continue serving in government with a Sanggunian Member Eligibility (SME).
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10156, otherwise known as “An Act Conferring upon Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Panlalawigan the Appropriate Civil Service Eligibility under Certain Circumstances, and for Other Purposes”, dated 20 December 2011, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (CSC Resolution No. 1300486) which took effect on 1 May 2013, the SME is granted to the following Sanggunian Members:
Vice Mayor, as presiding officer for the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod; Vice Governor, as presiding officer for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; and regular Sanggunian Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The following Sanggunian members who were not elected at large or by political district are not entitled to the grant of eligibility: President of provincial, city, or municipal chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay; President of the panlalawigan, panlungsod, and pambayang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan; and sectoral representatives to the Sanggunian Panlalawigan, Bayan, or Panlungsod.
There are two levels of SME. The first level SME is for those who have served as Sanggunian Member for an aggregate period of six (6) years, and have completed at least 72 units leading to a baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree. The second level SME is for those who have served as Sanggunian Member for an aggregate period of nine (9) years, and have completed a baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree.
For both levels, baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree program taken should be recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) from a Private Higher Education Institution in the Philippines or from a State/Local College with baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree included in its charter or duly approved by its Board of Trustees/Board of Regents.
The aggregate period refers to the actual number of years of service as Sanggunian member, based on official records of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which includes accumulated years of service in any Sanggunian and in one or more Sanggunian.
The first level SME shall be comparable to Career Service Subprofessional Eligibility appropriate for entrance and promotion to first level career service positions, while the second level SME shall be comparable to Career Service Professional Eligibility appropriate for entrance and promotion to second level career service positions. However, both are not applicable to positions that require qualifications in skills or trade test and/or requiring passing the Board or Bar examinations, or requiring eligibilities provided under special laws.
Filing of application
Sanggunian members who were elected in the May 2013 elections and thereafter may file the application for the grant of SME within two (2) years upon meeting the required number of years of service.
The prescriptive period for filing of SME applications for those who have completed their service requirement prior to or in May 2013 has already lapsed.
Applications must be submitted to the CSC Regional Office concerned, or to any of its Field Offices, having jurisdiction over the province, city, or municipality where an applicant has rendered his/her last term or years of service.
The list of requirements, fees, and other details on application may be accessed here.
