TITLE XXIII ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Chapter 1 Human Resource Development and Management SECTION 1. Recruitment. - The recruitment of employees for appointment in the career and non-career positions in all agencies and offices of the Autonomous Regional Government shall be open to all qualified men and women according to the principle of merit, fitness and equality and shall be in accordance with existing Civil Service rules and regulations. All ARMM agencies and offices shall promulgate its respective Merit Selection Plan (MSP) which shall embody the procedures, scope, and manner in determining the qualified applicant or candidate for appointment to first and second level positions in the career service. It shall be guided by the following general policies: (1) There shall be equal opportunity for men and women at all levels of positions in the ARMM bureaucracy, provided they meet the minimum requirements of the position; (2) There shall be no discrimination in the selection of employees on account of his/her gender, civil status, disability, religion, ethnicity or political affiliation; (3) An applicant for employment in the first, second and third level position, who is competent, qualified, and possesses the appropriate civil service eligibility shall be considered for permanent appointment; (4) All candidates for appointment to first and second level positions in the line departments, agencies and offices shall be screened by the Personnel Selection Board (PSB) of the respective agency which shall be created by the agency or office in accordance with existing Civil Service law, rules and guidelines; (5) The comparative competence and qualification of candidates for appointment shall be determined on the basis of: (a) Education and Training; (b) Experience and Outstanding Accomplishments; (c) Psycho-social Attributes and Personality Traits; and (d) Potential (6) The appointing authority shall assess the merits of the PSB‟s recommendation for appointment and in the exercise of sound discretion, select, in so far as practicable, from among the top five ranking applicants deemed most qualified for appointment to the vacant position; 212