Prime Minister swears in new team of Civil Service Commissioners
Today, November 22nd, 2023, the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, swore in Agostinho Letêncio de Deus as President and José Telo Soares Cristovão as Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), in a ceremony held at the CSC’s premises.
Agostinho Letêncio de Deus previously held the Director-General of the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP) position. José Telo Soares Cristovão served as Civil Service Commissioner between 2015 and 2020, on appointment by the National Parliament, and in 2020, he was appointed Deputy Ombudsman for Good Governance Affairs at the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice. 
Both expressed their commitment to carry out their duties “with the utmost impartiality, dedication and responsibility and always to have due regard for the interests of the State, the Government's Programme and the values of the civil service” and pledged to “work in defence of the public good and serve the community and the people, with impartiality, honesty, professionalism and correctness, safeguarding the best interests of the nation”. 
In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for “a reform that serves the interests of the State” “to correct, consolidate and lead to the economic development of the country and the people”. He also emphasised the importance of having “good, qualified officials in each municipality to build, improve and consolidate the State's institutions”.
The Council of Ministers appointed the new President and Commissioner at its meeting on November 15th, 2023. The Commission comprises five members, two elected by the National Parliament and three appointed by the Government, who also appoint the President. Commissioners are appointed for a five-year term. 
On October 3rd, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council Of Ministers, Agio Pereira, swore in Agapito da Conceição to serve as a CSC Commissioner on a full-time basis until May 29th, 2025, as appointed by the National Parliament in the election held on August 29th, 2023.
The Civil Service Commission was established by law in June 2009 as an independent body responsible for ensuring “a politically impartial civil service, based on merit and high standards of professionalism, capable of providing quality services to the State and the people of Timor-Leste”.
