Congratulations to everyone who recently passed the civil service examination.
For many of you, that certificate could be your ticket into government service. You studied, prepared, took the exam and proved that you met the standard required of people who want to build a career in government.
And this is where things get interesting.
The government worker needs civil service eligibility. The person running the government doesn’t.
Think about that for a moment. A government employee may spend years serving the public and still need to pass the civil service examination to secure a permanent position. The person who becomes their boss through an election? They don’t.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla now wants civil service eligibility required for candidates seeking barangay captain, arguing that barangays are the first line of government service. And suddenly, the irony becomes difficult to ignore.
Maybe this is partly why we sometimes end up electing clowns, then expecting career government workers to keep the machinery running.
The president does not need civil service eligibility. Neither does a senator, governor or mayor.
But the people working underneath them are expected to pass examinations, meet qualifications and prove they are fit for the jobs they perform.
The elected official needs votes. The government employee needs credentials.
Remulla is now asking whether barangay captains should finally face a professional standard, too. That is where the system starts to look a little absurd.
The people who keep government running are required to prove they are qualified, while the people who run it only have to prove they can win.