Malacañang has imposed a moratorium on the grant of career executive service rank to graduates of the National Defense College of the Philippines.

The Memorandum Circular No. 35, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on 2 October, has suspended the implementation of Executive Order No. 145 that grants CES rank to the graduates of the Master in National Security Administration program of the NDCP.

The MC 35 underscored the need to re-evaluate the foregoing policy of granting CES rank to graduates of the MNSA program of the NDCP, "in order to ensure that its objectives are consistent with existing laws, rules and regulations."

"The implementation of EO No. 145 is hereby suspended, pending the study of the policy implications of EO No. 145, and consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the NDCP, to be conducted by the CES Board," the new order stated.

Within 60 days from the issuance of the MC 35, the CES Board is tasked to submit to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, a comprehensive report on its findings together with its recommendations which will include either the lifting of the moratorium or the revocation of the EO No. 145.

The MC 35 states that one of the strategies for good governance and improving bureaucratic efficiency under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 "is to guarantee competent and agile human resources in the government," which includes strengthening the CES through the continuous updating of its programs, and the development of a new competency framework for the public sector.