SENATE

S.B. No. 1441

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Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committee of Civil Service, Government

Reorganization and Professional Regulation and Commission on Appointments
with Baligod, Celemen, De Galicia, Gamit, Lopez, Manarang, Pili, Resuello,
Santos, and Villagracia as authors thereof
__________________________________________________________________

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL STANDARDS, TO BE KNOWN AS THE
“CABINET CHECK ACT OF 2023,” QUALIFYING CANDIDATES FOR
THE HEADS OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Cabinet Check Act of
2023.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared that the State values

every individual that lives in the country and guarantees the well-being and the interest of its
citizens. In pursuit of this policy, the State shall prevent incapable individuals from running and
occupying government positions which will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the
government.

This act aims to prevent incapable government officials from running or occupying
positions in the government. It encourages qualified individuals to take positions in government
and can help to improve the quality of governance, public services, international relations and
public trust. It is important for governments to prioritize the appointment of qualified individuals
to positions of authority as this can have far-reaching positive impacts on the functioning of
government and the well-being of citizens.
 SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following
terms shall mean:
(a) Bachelor's Degree - an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and
universities upon completion of a specific course of study. In most countries, it is
typically the first degree a student earns after completing secondary education.
(b) Cabinet - This is a council or a group of people who serves as the head of
different executive departments. They are also responsible for advising the
President on the different aspects of the state.
(c) Doctorate Degree - the highest academic degree that can be awarded by
universities and colleges. It is typically earned after completing several years of
advanced study and research beyond the bachelor's and master's.
(d) Education - This term means a school or university setting, the act of receiving or
imparting structured instruction.
(e) Executive Department - Executive Department. These are any department or
agencies that are responsible for enforcing laws and policies.
(f) Experience - It is the knowledge of skill in a particular position of employment in
which a person has gained through observation and participation.
(g) Master's Degree - a graduate academic degree awarded by universities and
colleges upon completion of a program of study typically lasting one to two years
beyond the bachelor's degree.
(h) Natural Born Filipino Citizen - someone who is considered a citizen of the
Philippines from birth, without the need for any additional requirements or
processes to acquire citizenship.
(i) Qualification - It is a quality or a sort of accomplishment that makes a person
eligible for a particular job or employment.
(j) Registered Voter - someone who has successfully registered with their country's
electoral commission or election authority and is eligible to vote in elections.

SECTION 4. Cabinet Check Act of 2023; General Qualifications,

Education, and Experience. - The executive branch is composed of thirty-eight (38)
departments and agencies headed by their respective secretaries that are appointed by the
President of the Philippines. Candidates and appointees shall meet the qualifications stated in
their respective departments.

General Qualifications - Candidates for cabinet positions shall be a natural born citizen
of the Philippines under the constitution. Each candidate shall not be convicted of any crimes and
was not involved in any forms of corruption. He/She must be a registered and active voter of the
Philippines.

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Department of Foreign Affairs

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology, Linguistics, Asian Studies, Philippine

Studies, Economics, Public Administration, Geography, Sociology,
History, or Islamic Studies.
(b) Masters or Doctorate degree in International Affairs, International
Relations, or Political Science.
(c) Public service in the related field for at least 2 years and/or corporate
experience for at least 5 years in the related field.

Department of Finance

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Economics, Business, or Finance.

(b) Masters or Doctorate degree in Business Administration, International
Economics, or a Certified Public Accountant.
(c) Corporate or banking experience for at least 10 years.

Department of Agriculture

(a) Bonafide farmer, fisherman, or livestock laborer

(b) Must be at least 40 years old on the date of his appointment
(c) Must be a graduate of basic education
(d) Agricultural experience for at least 10 years

Department of Public Works and Highways

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering,
Highway Engineering, Architecture, or Transportation
(b) Must be at least 30 years old on the date of his appointment
(c) Must be a licensed board passer
(d) Relevant experience in construction for at least 5 years

Department of Education
(a) Bachelor’s Degree of any Education-related course
(b) Masters/Doctorate Degree in Education
(c) Must be a Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT)
(d) Must be a principal of a public school or a head of a state university
(e) Has more than 20 years of service in the academic field.

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Department of Labor and Employment
(a) Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate Degree in Public Administration, Legal
Management, Economics, Political Science, Community Development,
Social Work, Social Science, or Customs Administration
(b) Must be serving the government for more than 20 years.

Department of National Defense

(a) Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate Degree in Criminology, Public Safety,
Social Work, International Studies, Community Development, Public
Administration, or Sociology
(b) Must be serving the government for more than 20 years.

Department of Social Welfare and Development

(a) Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate Degree in Public Administration, Legal
Management, Political Science, Social Work, Philosophy, Sociology,
Community Development, Social Science, Psychology, or Public safety
(b) Must be in service and doing social work for more than 20 years

Department of Agrarian Reform

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Forestry, or
Forestry Engineering
(b) Master’s Degree or Certificate in Leadership and Management from the
CSC or Bachelor of Laws
(c) 4 years of supervisory or management experience

Department of Interior and Local Government

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development
Studies, or Public Administration
(b) Master's Degree relevant to the job or a Licensed Civil Engineer
(c) With at least 1 year of relevant work experience in government work,
policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation, or capacity development
interventions.

Department of Budget and Management

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration major in Financial

Management, Business Economics, Marketing Management, or Human
Resource Management
(b) 3 years of relevant experience involving management & supervision

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 (c) With at least 2 years of relevant work experience in bookkeeping,
accounting, or banking.

Department of Trade and Industry

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Public Management, Social Sciences,
Multidisciplinary Studies, Commerce, or Accountancy
(b) 5 years of relevant experience involving trade and stocks exchange

Department of Health
(a) Bachelor’s Degree in any Allied Medical Health course
(b) Master’s and Doctorate Degree in Medicine, or Public Health
(c) Must have at least 10 years experience in public service
(d) Relevant contribution to medical research and epidemiology

Department of Justice
(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Political Economy, Public
Administration, or Legal Management
(b) Master’s Degree in Laws, or Politics
(c) A member in good standing of the Philippine Bar with an active and valid
law license
(d) Must have at least 10 years of experience as a court judge or fiscal

Department of Tourism
(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism, Hotel Management, Arts, Communication,
Development Communication, Mass Communication, or Journalism
(b) Advocate of Philippine Tourism and Environment
(c) Relevant Experience for at least 2 years

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Forestry,
Mining Engineering, or Forestry Engineering
(b) Master’s/Doctorate Degree related to Science and Agriculture
(c) Advocate of Sustainable Energy and Environment
(d) Must have at least 5 years of experience in the environmental field

Department of Information and Communications Technology

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Engineering,
Computer Science, Information Science, or Information and
Communication Technology
(b) Must be in service for at least 5 years

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Department of Energy
(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering,Energy Engineering,
Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Energy Systems and
Management
(b) Must be in service for at least 5 years
(c) Must be a board examination passer

Department of Science and Technology

(a) Bachelor’s Degree of any Science-related course
(b) Masters/Doctorate Degree in any Science or Technology-related field
(c) Has more than 15 years of service in the academic or medical field.

Department of Transportation
(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Transportation Management, Marine Transportation,
Civil Engineering , Railway Engineering, or Transportation Engineering
(b) Must be in service for at least 10 years

Department of Migrant Workers

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs, International Relations, or
Political Science
(b) BAR passer and a licensed lawyer
(c) Must be a member of the Public Attorneys Office

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurship, Civil Engineering, or Industrial
Engineering.
(b) Board passer and a licensed holder
(c) Must at least have 2 years experience in public service

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Economics, Business, or Finance.
(b) Corporate or banking experience for at least 20 years.
(c) Must be/ have been a head of any banking institution

Office of the Executive Secretary

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Political Economy, Public
Administration, or Legal Management
(b) Licensed Attorney with at least 10 years in service
(c) Must be/ have been a court fiscal or judge for at least 2 years

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Office of the Special Assistant to the President
(a) Any Bachelor’s Degree
(b) Must have at least 5 years of experience as a private or public assistant

National Economic Development Authority

(d) Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, Communication, Development
Communication, Mass Communication, or Journalism
(e) Must have Certificate of Civil Service Eligibility

National Security Adviser

(a) Any Bachelor’s Degree
(b) Supervisory experience for at least 10 years
(c) Must be a former or current public servant

Presidential Management Staff

(a) Any Bachelor’s Degree
(b) Must have a Certificate of Civil Service Eligibility or a PRC License

Presidential Communications Operations Office

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, Communication, Development
Communication, Mass Communication, or Journalism
(b) Must have at least 5 years experience in communication-related work,
including media relations, public affairs, or journalism, preferably in a
government or public sector environment.

Office of the Presidential Legal Counsel

(e) Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Political Economy, Public
Administration, or Legal Management
(f) Master’s Degree in Laws, or Politics
(g) A member in good standing of the Philippine Bar with an active and valid
law license
(h) Must be a current or former member of the Public Attorneys Office

Office of the Solicitor General

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Political Economy, Public
Administration, or Legal Management
(b) Master’s Degree in Laws, or Politics
(c) A member of the Philippine Bar for at least twelve (12) years.

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Bureau of Internal Revenue
(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Economics, Business, or Finance.
(b) A certified public accountant (CPA) or a lawyer.
(c) Has at least twelve (12) years of supervisory, administrative, or
professional experience

Bureau of Customs
(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Customs, Economics, Business Management, or
Finance.
(b) Must have at least 5 years professional experience in customs
administration, trade facilitation, or international trade

National Intelligence Coordinating Agency

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, Law Enforcement, or Security
(b) Must successfully completed the security clearance and background
checks
(c) Must be in service for at least 5 years

National Bureau of Investigation

(a) Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, Forensic Science, or Public
Administration
(b) Must successfully completed the security clearance and background
checks
(c) Must be in service for at least 5 years

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff

(a) Any Bachelor’s Degree
(b) Must be a current member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(c) Must have at least Brigadier General Ranking

Philippine National Police Chief

(a) Any Bachelor’s Degree
(b) Must be a current member of the Philippine National Police
(c) Must have at least Police Brigadier General Ranking

Commission on Elections
(a) Any Bachelor’s Degree
(b) Must have not a history of running in any public position
(c) Must be a government employee for at least 10 years

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 SECTION 5. Sanctions. - The person who violates this act shall be fined an amount
of at least five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than one million pesos
(P1,000,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than ten (10) years
or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court. The violators shall be removed from
his/her position and be banned to work in any government agency.

The provision of this section shall be applied without prejudice to criminal prosecution or civil
action under existing applicable laws

SECTION 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 5
publications in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.