Section 16. Powers and Duties of the Commissioner of Civil Service. —
It shall be among the powers and duties of the Commissioner of Civil Service —
To assist and advise the President on all matters involving personnel management in the government service;
To enforce, execute and carry out the constitutional and statutory provisions on the merit system;
To supervise the preparation and rating and have control of all civil service examinations in the Philippines; to foster and develop constructive policies, standards, procedures and programs and give the agencies advice and assistance in improving their personnel programs;
To make annual report to the President and Congress, showing the important personnel management activities during the year and making such recommendations as may more effectivity accomplish the purpose of this law;
With the approval by the President, to prescribe, amend and enforce suitable rules and regulations for carrying into effect the provisions of this Civil Service Law, and the rules prescribed pursuant to the provisions of this law shall become effective thirty days after publication in the Official Gazette;
To make investigations and special reports upon all matters relating to the enforcement of the Civil Service Law and rules; to inspect and audit the agencies' personnel work programs to determine compliance with the Civil Service Law rules, standards and other requirements; and to take corrective measures when unsatisfactory situations are found;
To issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum requiring the appearance of witnesses and the production of books and papers pertinent to the investigation and inquiries thereby authorized, and to examine them and such books and papers as it shall need in relation to any matter it is required to investigate;
To have exclusive jurisdiction over the approval under the Civil Service Law and rules of all appointments including promotions to positions in the competitive service;
Except as otherwise provided by law, to have final authority to pass upon the removal, separation and suspension of all permanent officers and employees in the competitive or classified service and upon all matters relating to the conduct, discipline, and efficiency of such officers and employees; and to prescribe standards, guidelines and regulations governing the administration of discipline;
To hear and determine appeals instituted by any person believing himself aggrieved by an action or determination of any appointing authority contrary to the provisions of the Civil Service Law and rules, and to provide rules and regulations governing such appeals, and he may make such investigations or inquiries into the facts relating to the action or determination appealed from as may be deemed advisable and may affirm, review, or modify such action or determination, and the decision of the Commissioner shall be final; and
To perform other functions that properly belong to a central personnel agency.