CEBU, Philippines - Being in prison did not stop 14 inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-7 in establishing a possible career in government service as they took the eligibility examination yesterday of the Civil Service Commission.
Together with 10,570 takers in the region, seven of the BJMP-7 exam takers took the professional exam while others took the sub-professional exam. Of the 14, eight of them are females.
The CSC eligibility exam is a general ability test designed to measure an individual’s preparedness to enter government service.
Unlike the regular takers who had their examinations at the Abellana National High School, Lahug Elementary School, and University of Cebu-Main Campus, the inmates took their exam at the CSC office in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City due to security reasons.
“The same set of exams and procedures were given to the inmates except the venue and the submission of requirements that was done by their respective jail wardens,” Dixie Gonzales, head of the Examination Services Division.
Gonzales said it was the first time they administered exams for inmates following the approval of BJMP’s request.
Superintendent Serafin Barreto Jr., BJMP regional director, sent a request to CSC regional office last year to allow their inmates to take eligibility exams. The letter was forwarded to CSC central office, where it was approved on February 12, 2015. The inmates were covered by a court order permitting them to temporarily leave the jail and take the exam.
Gonzales said the exam started at 7 in the morning, including the preliminary exam, which is the filling out of the necessary forms. The examination lasted for about four hours.
The results will be released 41 days after the exam.
Jonathan Medina, Senior Jail Officer 2 of the Mandaue City Jail Male Dormitory, is optimistic that their inmates will pass the exam saying that they underwent thorough reviews since February.
“We’ve given them books and reviewers to read and every week we had this question and answer session as well as discussions on general information,” he said.
Medina said this is part of the project of the bureau’s Inmates Welfare and Development Division.
“We have to prepare and help them before facing the outside world again to ensure that they will have better lives far from the prison,” he told The Freeman.
Of the 14, six of them who took the professional exam are from Mandaue City Jail. Others are from the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Toledo.
They were imprisoned for drugs and qualified thief.
Rules
Citing the CSC admission requirements, Gonzales said all Filipino citizens who are at least 18 years old, regardless of educational attainment, are allowed to take the eligibility examinations.
Gonzales said the inmates were allowed to take the exam because they have not been convicted by the court.
“Must have not been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude, or disgraceful or immoral conduct, dishonestly, examination irregularity, drunkenness or addiction to drugs,” she said.
But Gonzales said if the inmates are found guilty of grave offense after the result of the examination is released, their eligibility will be forfeited, she added.
This is based on the penalties stated in the decision and pursuant to Section 52 (a) of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.
“Applicants with pending administrative and/or criminal cases may take the examination and shall be conferred the eligibility if they successfully pass the same. However, this is without prejudice to the outcome of their pending cases. If they are found guilty, their eligibility shall be forfeited,” it reads.
Medina said passing the CSE entitles one to either a Professional or Sub-Professional career service eligibility, which is one of the basic requirements for permanent appointment to career positions in government, except for positions that involve the practice of profession or are covered by special laws. Passing rate for the career service examinations is 80 percent.
Medina clarified that passing the eligibility examination is not a guarantee for a person to be employed in a government agency.
“It is still not a guarantee kay depende sa position that you are aspiring for,” she said.
For permanent appointment in the career service, she said one must also acquire education, experience and training. CSC will conduct eligibility examinations for career service on April 17, 2016.
Applications for the CSE-PPT may be filed at any CSC regional or field offices from November 9, 2015 until February 25, 2016. (FREEMAN)