REFLECTIONS ON THE DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

ON THE RULES OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR

IN THE CIVIL SERVICE (RA 6713)

SUBMITTED BY:

ELBERT C ESTABILLO

DATE SUBMITTED: OCTOBER 2019 | DATE STARTED: SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

LESSON I – THE NORMS OF CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES

A. COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC INTEREST

How can you show your commitment to public interest?

To become a true public servant you must have a mindset of promoting welfare of the public
before personal interest. Thus, once I become a public servant I will be responsible to all the
resources which the government will entrust to me and use any supplies economically. It will be
my mindset that all things on the office are owned by the public and are not my personal
property, which means that I will see to it that all of it is to be use to serve the public better and
to address their needs. In addition, I will commit myself that all of my decision and action must
first benefit the needs of the public and not for my personal interest.

B. PROFESSIONALISM

How can you become more professional? How can you improve the work you do in the office
to improve your service to the public?

As I have read the five (5) dimensions to professionalism, I came up with this realization and
actions to take to serve the public better:
 Upgrade my knowledge not limited to the field of what my office is engage into, by
continue studying and attending on trainings, seminars, symposiums and the like. This is
also for me to be on tract with the trend and updates pertaining on my works.
 I will always do things base on the standards that the office is imposing.
 I will also practice good excellent service using my skills, intelligent and knowledge to
serve the people better as far as my office is concern.
 I will act as what a government official values and aura should portray at all times.

C. POLITICAL NEUTRALITY

How can you put into practice political neutrality?

Although we know that politics is a big topic here in the Philippines, what group or party are you
in or not into, still to become a good public servant I will practice balance judgement and to
promote fair decision. I will exclude myself in promoting any party or use my position to
advertise anybody just for the benefit of one. All protocols, standard procedures and processes
of what the office is imposing must be applied to everybody regardless of position, group or
entity they belong to. In addition, I will reserve my comments and decisions be private
pertaining to whom will I will support during election and not to promote any political party.

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D. JUSTNESS AND SINCERITY

Can you recall an experience when your honesty was tested? Or when you became a victim of
dishonesty?

Now that I am engage in a financial institution holding a position engaged with collection and
remittance, temptation is always around and my honesty is always tested. But in the record I
always see to it that my credibility must not be degrade and to hold 100% honesty by reporting
and posting what is should be, with correct data.

It’s been one of my mindset that honesty is like a fragile glass that once it is broken, you cannot
turn it back on the original flawless and unblemished look. Honesty is very expensive that a
cheap person can’t afford. Working with honesty is working as a good person.

E. RESPONSIVENESS TO THE PUBLIC

How can you show responsiveness? What realizations did you gain from this session? List
down below your answer.

As a public servant, we must know that our client is the people of the country. Thus, clients
deserve fair, good, adequate service coming from us to address their need regardless of their
status, race or group. We must treat clients to the best of our ability with fairness for us to give
them excellent customer experience. We do our service not base on how rich or poor our client
is, but on what they need that we address. All services that the office can offer and as the client
needs it, it must be serve to them promptly according to the protocol of the office and not how
they dress, how they looks like or how rich and popular they are.

I don’t also agree with the saying that a poor person is lazy, for me anybody can be rich it is just
that it can only be happen when preparedness and opportunity meets. One must always be
prepare his or herself for all the opportunities that might come.

F. NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM

How do you feel now for the country? Do you now feel a sense of pride for her knowing how
“powerful” Filipinos are as people? How would you show your love for her? How much do you
care about her?

Personally, I am proud being a Filipino. I stayed in SAR Macau, China for six (6) months last 2016
and I observed good values of OFWs there which make me proud as a Filipino. One of it is the
practice of helping each other; once a Filipino sees another Filipino who needs help they offer
their hand immediately. Example of it is when an hotelier sees me hungry and thirsty she
offered me a free juice from the hotel and a sandwich.

I ask a Chinese why they prefer a Filipino worker than of other race, he said that a Filipino
worker works without complain, with passion to the work and is trustworthy. This answer makes
me more proud being a Filipino and came to realize that it is not just the tourist spots that
Philippines can offer, but what makes it as a good country is its people and its cultures.

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 Enumerate eight (8) things you can be proud about Filipinos or about the Philippines.

DESCRIPTION WHY DO YOU SAY SO?

They welcome visitors to the utmost warm
Filipinos are hospitable
they can serve.
We teach young Filipinos say po and opo when
responding to older one;
Filipinos practice respect
Filipinos practice “mano”/”pagmamano” to the
elders as a sign of respect
Even when we have very little, we always share
Filipinos are generous
with those around us
Philippines has a lot to offer in terms of good
Tourism
sceneries and other tourist spots
A farmer Filipino wakes up early to go to the
Hardworking
field and go home late just to finish the work.
Even when we have very little, we always share
Helpful
with those around us
Know Filipino heroes risk their lives to fight for
Filipinos are brave people the freedom and sovereignty of the country
against invaders
In the record, we have a lot of Filipino artist
Filipinos are talented who are recognized all over the world because
of the talents in many aspects.

G. COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY

The late former senator and nationalist Jose W. Diokno, in one of his writing, has summarized
a truly democratic and sovereign nation. Read the text below and underline or highlight that
part or parts which you feel most strongly about.

- A FREE nation, where men and women and children from all regions and with all kinds of
talents may find truth and play and sing and laugh and dance and love without fear.

Would you write in one paragraph your feelings or insights about the importance of
democracy in a free and just society?

Democracy promotes that the power of the nation comes from its people. Thus, this will makes
people’s voice and will can be voiced out and considered, not like in none democratic country
only the decision of the countries minister is true and correct no people can oppose the decision
or mandate which is an act of no freedom. Freedom is not just on to choose whom to be a
leader but also on choosing personal decisions, taking and saying your insight and practicing
your rights freely. Democracy gives freedom to its people by letting them choose what they
want and what they think is good for the country.

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H. SIMPLE LIVING

I fell thankful of what I have right now, that I can eat more than three times a day, has cloths to
wear for body protection and shelter to live in. My family has a stable proper income to support
our needs. My siblings and I had a formal and good education. And I fell contented so far with all
I have.

I realize that living in a simple life is better than being lavish. Materials things are temporary and
we must invest more on eternal things like making a mark by helping others that will make you
known not just for popularity but by giving a genuine heart. Some people are more fortunate
than the others and it is the hurtful truth but it doesn’t mean that you are not blessed.

I will live a simple and humble life so that as a public servant, people will easily approach me
instead of being intimidated. By this, I will practice humility and modesty to serve my fellow
Filipino with fair and good serves.

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LESSON II – OTHER PERTINENT PROVISION OF THE CODE

I. TRUE OR FALSE

1. FALSE
2. FALSE
3. TRUE
4. TRUE
5. FALSE
6. FALSE

II. ENUMERATION

A. Two Prohibited acts/transactions

1. Recommending any person to any position in a private enterprise which has a regular or
pending transaction with the office
2. Having financial or material interest in any transaction requiring approval of your office.

B. Three forms of incentives and rewards any of which may be given to government officials
and employees.

1. Paid Vacation
2. Automatic promotion to the next higher position suitable to the awardees’ qualification;
or, if there is no vacant higher position, a salary increase equivalent to the next higher
position shall be given
3. Directorship in government-owned or controlled corporation

C. Conflict of interest occurs when the official or employee is

1. When official or employee is a partner in a partnership

2. When official or employee is an officer of the corporation
3. When the interest of the corporation, or your rights and duties in the corporation, is
affected by the faithful performance of your official duty.

D. Person exempted from filing a Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth

1. Temporary Laborers
2. Casual workers
3. Contractual workers

E. Penalties that may be imposed under RA 6713 against public officials and employees

1. Criminal
2. Civil
3. Administrative

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