SC CIRCULAR NO. 23-98, February 18, 1998

The following guidelines are hereby prescribed for the holding of
conventions or conferences by employees’ organizations (including
judges’ associations) in the lower courts, taking into consideration the
provisions of Section 30, Chapter 5, Subtitle A (Civil Service
Commission), Title I, Book V of the 1987 Administrative Code which state
(1) that the “development and retention of a competent and efficient
work force in the public service is a primary concern of government” and
(2) that it “shall be the policy of the government that a continuing
program of career and personnel development be established for all
government employees at all levels:”

1. Permission to hold conventions or conferences shall be granted
   only to organizations or associations formed, registered and accredited
   in accordance with, among others, Rule IV on “Registration,” Rule V on
   “Recognition/Accreditation” and Rule VI on “Certification Election” of
   the “Rules and Regulations to Govern the Exercise of the Right of
   Government Employees to Self-Organization” issued to implement Executive
   Order No. 180 dated 1 June 1987 entitled “Providing Guidelines for the
   Exercise of the Right to Organize of Government Employees, Creating a
   Public Sector Labor-Management Council, and For Other Purposes.”

   For this reason, all requests submitted to the Office of the Court
   Administrator for authority to hold the convention or conference
   subject hereof shall be accompanied by the documents listed in Annex “A”
   in accordance with the schedule therein. Any organization or
   association which cannot or fails to comply with the documentation
   requirements should submit the corresponding explanation.

2. Section 2, Rule III of the “Rules and Regulations to Govern the
   Exercise of the Right of Government Employees to Self-Organization”
   provides that “[t]he activities of the employees’ organization shall not
   prejudice or disrupt public service.” For this reason, conventions or
   conferences should as much as feasible be scheduled on weekends or, if
   proposed to be undertaken during a period of several days, should
   include Saturday and Sunday.

3. In accordance with the provisions of Administrative Circular No.
   13-96 dated 28 November 1996, training programs of the Philippine
   Judicial Academy should be integrated into the conventions or
   conferences.

These training programs should be geared towards the improvement
of the quality of judicial service through the enhancement of legal and
managerial skills and knowledge and the strengthening of work values. In
this relation, the officials of the employees’ organizations should
consult and coordinate with the Philippine Judicial Academy in the
planning and the implementation of the training programs.

4. Attendance at the convention or conference shall not be
   considered on “official business chargeable to local funds.” There are
   no provisions in (a) any existing statute; (b) the “Rules and
   Regulations to Govern the Exercise of the Right of Government Employees
   to Self-Organization;” or (c) the Omnibus Civil Service Rules and
   Regulations adopted by the Civil Service Commission through Resolution
   No. 91-1631 dated 27 December 1991 which provide the basis for
   considering and declaring the attendance of government officials and
   employees at such conventions, conferences or consultations as “on
   official business chargeable to local funds.”

5. A complete report shall be submitted to the Office of the Court
   Administrator within ten (10) days from the closing of the convention or
   conference on the activities undertaken during the same. The report
   shall be accompanied by copies of the registration and daily attendance
   sheets actually signed by the officers and members of the employees’
   organizations personally present.

For strict compliance.

Annex “A”

Documentation Requirements for Requests for Authority to Hold Conventions or Conferences