Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 4) — The government has released a moratorium on the granting of career executive service (CES) rank to all the graduates of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP).
Memorandum Circular No. 35 issued by Malacañang on Wednesday states that there is a need to “re-evaluate\” Executive Order No. 145 that grants CES ranks to graduates of NDCP’s Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) program.
“The implementation of EO No. 145 is hereby suspended, pending the study of the policy implications of EO No. 145, and consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the NDCP, to be conducted by the CES Board,” the circular read.
EO No. 145, which was issued by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2021, provides that MNSA graduates may be granted a civil executive service officer (CESO) rank provided that they already occupy CES positions.
“[Those] who are appointed to CES positions will be granted CESO rank that is commensurate to their respective CES positions, subject to requirements to be prescribed and mandated by the Career Executive Service Board,” the 2021 EO read.
The EO states that MNSA graduates who are not occupying CES positions must comply with the requirements for appointment to a CESO rank such as written examination and panel interview.
The MNSA program is open to uniformed personnel of the military and police force, civilian government officers, private sector executives, and foreign military officers.
The latest circular cited the need for “competent and agile human resources” in the national government.
