Marilyn Barua-Yap

Marilyn Barua-Yap is a Filipino lawyer, civil servant, and academic who currently serves as the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) of the Philippines. She was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as ad interim chairperson on October 16, 2024.^[1]

Marilyn Barua-Yap
Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission
Incumbent
Assumed office October 16, 2024
Appointed by	Bongbong Marcos
Preceded by	Karlo Nograles
Secretary General of the House of Representatives
In office 2007–2013
Personal details
Born	(1953-01-09) January 9, 1953 (age 72) Laoag, Ilocos Norte
Spouse(s)	David Jonathan V. Yap (widowed, 2021)
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Diliman (AB, LLB, DPA) Ateneo de Manila University (MPM)
Profession	Lawyer, Civil Servant, Lecturer

Early life and education

Marilyn Barua-Yap is a native of Laoag, Ilocos Norte.^[2] She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Comparative Literature.^[3] She studied at the University of the Philippines College of Law and passed the Philippine Bar Examination in 1985.^[3] She earned a Doctor in Public Administration degree from the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance.^[3] She also studied for a Master in Public Management at the Ateneo School of Government at Ateneo de Manila University.

Career

Secretary General of the House of Representatives

Barua-Yap served in the government for 35 years, of which 29 years were spent in the legislative branch of the government. She was the first woman to serve as Secretary General of the House of Representatives of the Philippines during the 14th Congress and was reelected in the 15th Congress.^[4]

Undersecretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform

Prior to her appointment as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Barua-Yap served as Undersecretary at the Department of Agrarian Reform, overseeing both the Special Concerns Office and the External Affairs and Communications Operations Office.^[5]

Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission

On October 16, 2024, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Barua-Yap as the ad interim chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Her term as CSC chairperson is set to expire on February 2, 2029.^[6][7]

On November 20, 2024, the Commission on Appointments confirmed Barua-Yap’s appointment as Civil Service chairperson. During the confirmation hearing, Senator Cynthia Villar delivered a sponsorship speech, stating, "Her background in law, public administration, and legislative reform makes her exceptionally qualified for the esteemed position of chairperson of the Civil Service Commission."^[8][9]

Academic career

Alongside her public service roles, Barua-Yap has been a lecturer at the University of the Philippines Diliman.^[10]

Personal life

Barua-Yap's husband was fellow lawyer David Jonathan Yap, who served as the assistant dean of New Era University's College of Law and was a former Senate Legal Counsel. He died on September 19, 2021.^[2][11]