G.R. No. 94255 May 5, 1992
RICARDO L. MEDALLA, JR., petitioner, vs. HON. PATRICIA A. STO. TOMAS, in her capacity as Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and HON. EDUARDO O. CARRASCOSO, in his capacity as General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority and ARMANDO F. SINGSON, respondents.

FACTS

Petitioner Ricardo L. Medalla, Jr. was appointed as Division Manager B of the Buildings, Pavements and Grounds (BP and G) Division of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on October 9, 1987. Private respondent Armando F. Singson, who had been designated as Acting Division Manager, filed a protest with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The MIAA General Manager affirmed Medalla’s appointment. Singson appealed to the MSPB, which, on November 9, 1988, revoked Medalla’s appointment and directed Singson’s appointment in his stead. Meanwhile, the MIAA underwent a reorganization, and a new staffing pattern was approved. Both Medalla and Singson were subsequently reappointed to new positions in the new Civil Works Division: Medalla as Division Manager D and Singson as Principal Engineer C. Despite this reorganization, the MSPB, in an order dated September 5, 1989, directed the immediate implementation of its 1988 decision and revoked Medalla’s new appointment as Division Manager D. The Civil Service Commission (CSC), through Resolutions Nos. 90-155 and 90-373, upheld the MSPB’s orders. The MIAA General Manager then issued an Office Order directing Singson and Medalla to assume the positions of Division Manager A and Principal Engineer A, respectively. Medalla filed the present petition seeking to annul the MSPB and CSC rulings.

ISSUE

Whether the Civil Service Commission, through the Merit Systems Protection Board, has the authority to revoke a valid appointment made by the appointing authority and direct the appointment of its own choice.

RULING

No. The petition is granted. The Supreme Court set aside the decision, order, and resolutions of the MSPB and CSC. Engr. Ricardo Medalla and Engr. Armando Singson were reinstated to their posts of Division Manager D and Principal Engineer C, respectively, of the Civil Works Division. The Court reiterated established doctrine that the Civil Service Commission’s function is limited to approving or reviewing appointments to determine if they accord with the Civil Service Law’s requirements. When the appointee is qualified and all legal requirements are satisfied, the Commission must attest to the appointment. The Commission has no authority to revoke an appointment on the ground that another employee is better qualified, as this constitutes an encroachment on the discretion vested solely in the appointing authority. The determination of who among candidates is best qualified is a highly discretionary act of the appointing authority, and the Commission cannot substitute its judgment.