SANGGUNIAN MEMBER ELIGIBILITY (SME)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Q. What is Republic Act (RA) No. 10156
A. RA 10156 is An Act Conferring Upon Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and
Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Appropriate Civil Service Eligibility Under Certain Circumstances, and for
Other Purposes, which was signed into law on December 20, 2011 by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Q. What is a Sanggunian Member Eligibility (SME)?
A. The Sanggunian Member Eligibility or SME is a Civil Service Eligibility (CSE) granted by the Civil Service
Commission (CSC) to qualified members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and
Sangguniang Panlalawigan pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10156 approved by
the CSC in its Resolution No. 1300486 promulgated on March 6, 2013.
Q. Who are the Sanggunian Members entitled to the grant of SME?
A. The following Sanggunian Members (SM), who have been elected after the effectivity of the Local
Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) or May 11, 1992 onwards and have met the requirements, shall be
entitled to the grant of SME:
Vice Mayor, as presiding officer and the regular Sanggunian Members for the Sangguniang Bayan
and Sangguniang Panlungsod; and
Vice Governor, as presiding officer and the regular Sanggunian Members for the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan
Q. Who are the SMs not entitled to the grant of SME?
A. Those SMs who were not elected at large or by political district shall not be entitled to the grant of SME, such
as:
President of provincial, city, or municipal chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay;
President of the Panlalawigan, Panlungsod, and Pambayang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang
Kabataan; and
Sectoral representatives to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Bayan, or Panlungsod.
Q. What Civil Service Eligibility shall be granted and its qualification requirements?
A. The SMs who meet the qualification requirements shall be granted the corresponding Civil Service Eligibility,
as follows:
Sanggunian Member First Level Eligibility (SM1LE) - a civil service eligibility equivalent to Career
Service SubProfessional Eligibility shall be granted to SMs who meet the following qualification
requirements:

o
o

have served as SM for an aggregate period of six (6) years; and

have completed at least seventy-two (72) units leading to a baccalaureate/bachelors degree

Sanggunian Member Second Level Eligibility (SM2LE) - a civil service eligibility equivalent to Career
Service Professional Eligibility shall be granted to SMs who meet the following qualification
requirements:

o
o

have served as SM for an aggregate period of nine (9) years; and

have completed a baccalaureate/bachelors degree

Q. What are the basic qualifications to be complied by a SM applicant?

A. An applicant must meet the following basic qualifications:
Citizen of the Republic of the Philippines (NOTE: Applicable Philippine law and rules shall be observed
in resolving issues/concerns on citizenship);
Has not been found guilty of crime involving moral turpitude or of infamous, disgraceful or immoral
conduct, dishonesty, drunkenness or addiction to drugs;
Has not been previously found guilty of offenses relative to, or in connection with the conduct of a civil
service examination;
Has no pending case/non-conviction of any offense; and
Has not been dismissed from the service for cause.

Q. What are the positions for which the SME shall be appropriate/applicable?
A. The SME shall be considered appropriate for first and second level positions in the career service, as follows:

The SM1LE shall be applicable for entrance and promotion to first level career service positions only,
except those which require qualifications in skills or trade test and/or requiring passing the Board, or
requiring eligibilities provided under other special laws.
The SM2LE shall be applicable for entrance and promotion to first and second level career service
positions, except those which require qualifications in skills or trade test and/or requiring passing the
Board or Bar examinations, or requiring eligibilities provided under other special laws.

Q. What are the basis in the computation of the aggregate years of service for the grant of SME?
A. The computation of the aggregate years of service of a SM shall be based on the actual number of years of
service as SM (in any and/or in one or more Sanggunian: province, city, or municipality, found in the official
records of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its regional offices.
Q. Are the years of service in other positions held in the Sanggunian, the functions of which do not
belong to that of a SM, as mandated under the Local Government Code of 1991 and services in other
government agencies considered in the computation of the aggregate years for the grant of SME?
A. No.
Q. May the years of service in the Sanggunian which have already been included in the computation of
the aggregate years for the grant of the SM1LE still be considered in the computation of the
aggregate years for the grant of SM2LE?
A. No.
Q. May the years of service in the Sanggunian during the term in which a SMs supposed election was
recalled by appropriate authority considered in the computation of the aggregate years for the grant
of SME?
A. No.
Q. What is the filing period for applying for the grant of SME?
A. The prescriptive period for filing of application for the grant of SME shall be in accordance with the following
rules:

Until May 1, 2018 for SM who have completed the service requirement on May 1, 2013 or earlier.
Within 4 years from the completion of the service requirement for incumbent SM as of May 2013 and
have completed the service requirement in May 2013
Within 2 years upon meeting the service requirement for those who shall be elected in May 13, 2013
and thereafter

Q. What are the documents to be submitted upon filing of SME application?

A. The applicant shall only apply and file the application for the SME if he/she has completed the
following documents:
1. General Documentary Requirements:
a. Properly accomplished Application Form, CS Form 101-J (March 2013);
b. Three (3) pieces of identical I.D. pictures taken within the last three (3) months prior to filing of
application with the following specifications:
b.1. Passport size (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm or 1.8 in x 1.4 in)
b.2 Colored with white background
b.3 Printed on good quality photo paper
b.4 In standard close-up shot (from shoulder lever up with the head and face occupying at
least 80% of the picture and with the name tag positioned at approximately 1 inch or
2.54 cm below the chin)
b.5 In bare face (with no eyeglasses or any accessories that may cover the facial
features)
b.6 Showing left and right ears
b.7 Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
b.8 With neutral facial expression, and both eyes open
b.9 With full and handwritten (not computer-generated) name tag in the format: First Name,
Middle Initial, Last Name and Extension Name (if any) and signature over printed name.

c. Original and photocopy of any valid ID card containing applicants clear picture, date of birth,
signature, and signature of authorized head of the issuing agency such as Drivers License, SSS
ID, GSIS ID, PhilHealth ID, current company/Office ID, current school ID, Postal ID, BIR ID,
Barangay ID, Voters ID, Valid Passport or Police Clearance (Note: Any other ID not included in the
list shall NOT be accepted);
d. Original and photocopy of Marriage Certificate duly authenticated/issued by the NSO shall be
submitted by female married applicant;
e. Certification of No Pending Case/Non-Conviction of Any Offense using CSC SPEL Form1,
April 2012; and
f. Other documents as may be deemed necessary in verifying authenticity of information supplied by
the applicant.
2. Specific Documentary Requirements:
a. For SMs not included in the DILG Master List, a certification of services rendered by the SM duly
signed by authorized official at the DILG regional level where he/she served as SM using the
appropriate form prescribed by the CSC (CSC SME Form 1, March 2013);
b. Original/authenticated photocopy of Transcript of Record, for applicant who is a bachelors degree
holder;
c. Certification on the units earned leading to a baccalaureate/bachelors degree (for non-degree
holder) duly signed by authorized official/registrar of the university/college, with the official Dry Seal
of the School/University affixed at the portion covering the signature over printed name of the
authorized official/registrar(see sample form);
d. Master List/Database of SMs issued by the DILG (agency to agency concern, to be submitted by
DILG to CSCRO); and
e. Other documents as may be deemed necessary in verifying authenticity of information supplied by
the applicant.
Q. Where is the filing of the application for the grant of SME?
A. The filing of application for the grant of SME shall be submitted to the:

CSC Regional or Field Office (RO/FO) having jurisdiction over the region where the applicant has
rendered his/her last term or years of service; or
CSCRO/FO where the applicant is currently based (i.e. an applicant whose last term of service was in
region IX but is currently based in region I may file his/her application at the CSCRO I or at any of its
Field Offices)

Q. How much is the filing fee and processing fee?

A. The following are the fees to be paid at the CSCRO/FO:

Filing/Evaluation fee of Php200.00 shall be paid upon filing of application with complete documentary
requirements.
Processing fee of Php300.00 shall be paid only upon approval of application.

Q. Which CSCRO will grant my SME?

A. The CSCRO which has geographical jurisdiction over the province/city/municipality where the qualified SM
has rendered his/her last term or years of service shall have the authority to grant the SME.
Q.
A.

How do I apply for the grant of SME?

STEP 1. Submit the duly accomplished CS Form 101-J (March 2013) together with complete
documentary requirements to the CSCRO/FO having jurisdiction on the municipality,
city or province where the applicant has rendered his/her last term or years of
service or to the CSCRO/FO where the applicant is currently based.
STEP 2. Pay the evaluation fee of Php200.00.
STEP 3. If application is approved, pay the processing fee of Php300.00.
STEP 4. Receive your Certificate of Eligibility.

ISSUED BY:
ISSUED DATE:

EXAMINATION, RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT OFFICE

NOVEMBER 12, 2013