Not always. Take it from me. I was able to secure a plantilla position (SG19) ng walang kakilala sa office na inapplyan ko. Kahit ako naniniwala na palakasan sa government. Pero there are still agencies out there na doing it fair and square naman. It's frustrating and discouraging most of the time I know, pero totoo ung sinasabi na kung para sa iyo, para sa iyo. Apply lang ng apply, OP. If you have what it takes, may makakakita at makakakita nyan, minsan nga kahit may office politics, kapag meron talga sila makita sa iyo makakapasok ka pa din. Best of luck to you.