Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards
for Public Officials and Employees
By: Charline Jane Tan
Mindanao State University Graduate School - Maguindanao
Republic Act No. 6713
An act establishing a code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees, to uphold the time-honored principle of public office being a public trust, granting incentives and rewards for exemplary service, enumerating prohibited acts and transactions and providing penalties for violations thereof and for other purposes.
TITLE
Section 1.
This Act shall be known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for
Public Officials and Employees."
TODAY'S
TOPICS
Declaration of Policies
Definition of Terms
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees
Declaration
of Policies
Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost:
- responsibility
- integrity
- competence
- loyalty
- act with patriotism and justice
- lead modest lives; and
- uphold public interest over personal interest
Definition
of
Terms
Definition
of
Terms
Government
includes the National Government, the local governments, and all other instrumentalities, agencies or branches of the Republic of the Philippines including government owned or controlled corporations, and their subsidiaries
Public Officials
includes elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or temporary, whether in the career or non-career service, including military and police personnel, whether or not they receive compensation, regardless of amount
Gift
- refers to a thing or a right to dispose of gratuitously, or any act or liberality, in favor of another who accepts it, and shall include a simulated sale or an ostensibly onerous disposition thereof.
- It shall not include an unsolicited gift of nominal or insignificant value not given in anticipation of, or in exchange for, a favor from a public official or employee
Receiving any gift
includes the act of accepting directly or indirectly, a gift from a person other than a member of his family or relative as defined in this Act, even on the occasion of a family celebration or national festivity like Christmas, if the value of the gift is neither nominal nor insignificant, or the gift is given in anticipation of, or in exchange
for, a favor
Loan
covers both simple loan and commodatum as well as guarantees, financing arrangements or accommodations intended
to ensure its approval
Substantial stockholder
means any person who owns, directly or indirectly, shares of stock sufficient to elect a director of a corporation.
This term shall also apply to the parties to a voting trust
Family of public officials or employees
means their spouses and unmarried children under
eighteen (18) years of age
Person
includes natural and juridical persons unless the context indicates otherwise
Juridical Person
A non-human legal entity, in other words any organization that is not a single natural person but is authorized by law with duties and rights and is recognized as a legal person and as having a distinct identity.
This includes any incorporated organizations including:
- corporations
- government agencies
- NGOs
Also known as artificial person, juridical entity, juristic person, or legal person
Conflict of interest
arises when a public official or employee is a member of a board, an
officer, or a substantial stockholder of a private corporation or owner or has a substantial interest in a business, and the interest of such corporation or business, or his rights or duties therein, may be opposed to or affected by the faithful performance of official duty
Divestment
is the transfer of title or disposal of interest in property by voluntarily,
completely and actually depriving or dispossessing oneself of his right or title to it in favor of a person or persons other than his spouse and relatives as defined in this Act
Relatives
refers to any and all persons related to a public official or employee within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, including bilas, inso and balae
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials a...
Every public official and
employee shall observe the following as standards of personal conduct in the discharge and
execution of official duties:
Commitment to public interest
- Public officials and employees shall always uphold the public interest over and above personal interest.
- All government resources and powers of their respective offices must be employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically, particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and revenues.
Professionalism
Professionalism
- Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill.
- They shall enter public service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty.
- They shall endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as dispensers or peddlers of undue patronage
Justness
and sincerity
- Public officials and employees shall remain true to the people at all times.
- They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged.
Political Neutrality
Public officials and employees shall provide service to everyone
without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference
Responsiveness to the Public
Public officials and employees shall extend prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the public.
Responsiveness to the Public
Unless otherwise provided by law or when required by the public interest, public officials and employees shall:
Responsiveness to the Public
1. provide information of their policies and procedures
2. ensure openness of information
3. public consultations and hearings
4. encourage suggestions
5. simplify and systematize policy, rules and procedures
6. avoid red tape
7. develop an understanding and appreciation of the socio-economic conditions
Nationalism
and Patriotism
Nationalism
and Patriotism
- Public officials and employees shall at all times be loyal to the Republic and to the Filipino people, promote the use of locally produced goods, resources and technology and encourage appreciation and pride of country and people.
- They shall endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion.
Commitment
to Democracy
Commitment
to Democracy
- Public officials and employees shall commit themselves to the democratic way of life and values, maintain the principle of public accountability, and manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the military.
- They shall at all times uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty to persons or party.
Simple Living
- Public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income.
- They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.
Measures
The Civil Service Commission shall adopt positive measures to promote the following:
1
Observance of
these standards including the dissemination of information programs and workshops authorizing
merit increases beyond regular progression steps, to a limited number of employees recognized
by their office colleagues to be outstanding in their observance of ethical standards.
2
Continuing research and experimentation on measures which provide positive motivation to public officials and employees in raising the general level of observance of these standards.