CICOSAT COLLEGES

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

Lingsat, City of San Fernando, La Union
A.Y 2023-2024

Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards for the PNP Officers
Article I: Preliminary*
Section 1. Title - This code shall be known as the Philippine National Police Code of
Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards (PNP Code of Conduct)
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. All members of the Philippine National Police shall
abide and adhere to the provision of this Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical
Standards. Towards this end, a truly professionalized and dedicated law enforcers shall
be developed in promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety and enhancing
community participation guided by the principle that all public office is a public trust and
that all public servants must at all times serve with utmost responsibility, integrity,
morality, loyalty, and efficiency with due respect to human rights and dignity as the
hallmark of a democratic society. They shall at all times bear faithful allegiance to the
legitimate government, support and uphold the constitution, respect the duly constituted
authority and be loyal to the police service.
Article II: Police Officers Creed and Stand on Basic Issue
Section 1. The PNP Core Values. The police service is a noble profession which
demands from its member specialized knowledge and skills, as well as high standards of
ethics and morality. Hence, the members of the PNP must adhere to and internalize the
enduring core value of love of God, respect for authority, selfless love and service for
people, the sanctity of marriage and family life, responsible dominion and stewardship
over material things, and truthfulness.
Section 2. The Police Officer’s Creed
2.1. I believe in God, The Supreme Being, The Great Provider, and The Creator of all
men and everything dear to me. In return, I can do no less than love Him above all by
obeying His word, seek his guidance in the performance of my sworn duties, and honor
Him at all times.
2.2. I believe that respect for authority is a duty. I respect and uphold the Constitution, the
laws of the land, and the applicable rules and regulations. I recognize the legitimacy and
authority of the leadership and obey the legal orders of my superior officers.
2.3. I believe in selfless love and service to people. Towards this end, I commit myself to
the service of my fellowmen over and above my personal interest.
2.4. I believe in the sanctity of marriage and family life. I shall set the example of decency
and morality, shall have high regard for family life and the value of marital fidelity.
2.5. I believe in responsible dominion and stewardship over material things. I shall inhibit
myself from extravagance and ostentatious display of material things. I shall respect
private and public properties and prevent others from destroying them. I shall help protect
the environment and conserve nature to maintain ecological balance.
2.6. I believe in the wisdom of truthfulness, must be trustworthy and I shall uphold the
truth at all times
Section 3. PNP Stand on Basic Issues. The deployment and employment of PNP
personnel require the organization and its members to bare their stand on the following
basic issues:
3.1. PNP Image. The image of any organization affects the spirit d’ corps, morale and
welfare of members, and sense of pride to the organization.
Commitment to Public Interest. PNP members shall always uphold public interest over
and above personal interest. All government properties, resources, and powers of their
respective offices must be employed and used effectively, honestly, and efficiently,
particularly to avoid wastage of public funds and revenues. PNP members must avoid
and prevent the "malversation" of human resources, government time, property, and
funds.
Non- Partisanship. PNP members shall provide services to everyone without
discrimination regardless of party affiliation in accordance with existing laws and
regulations.
Physical Fitness and Health. PNP members shall strive to be physically and mentally
fit and in good health at all times. Toward this end, they shall undergo regular physical
exercises and annual medical examinations in any PNP Hospital or Medical facility, and
actively participate in the Physical Fitness and Sports Development Program of the PNP.
Physical Fitness and Health. PNP members shall strive to be physically and mentally
fit and in good health at all times. Toward this end, they shall undergo regular physical
exercises and annual medical examinations in any PNP Hospital or Medical facility, and
actively participate in the Physical Fitness and Sports Development Program of the PNP.
Secrecy Discipline. PNP members shall guard the confidentiality of classified
information against unauthorized disclosure, including confidential aspects of official
business, special orders, communications and others documents, roster or any portion
thereof, contents of criminal records, identities of persons who may have given
information to the police in confidence and other classified information or intelligence
material.
Social Awareness. PNP members and their immediate family members shall be
encouraged to actively get involved in the religious, social, and civic activities to enhance
the image of the organization without affecting their official duties.
Non-Solicitation of Patronage. PNP members shall seek self-improvement through
career development and shall not directly or indirectly solicit influence or recommendation
from politicians, high-ranking government officials, prominent citizens, a person affiliated
with civic or religious organizations with regards their assignments, promotions, transfer
or those of other members of the force, nor shall the initiate any petition to be prepared
and presented by citizens in their behalf. Moreover, they shall advise their immediate
relatives not to interfere in the activities of the police service particularly in the assignment
and reassignment of personnel.
Proper Care and Use of Public Property. PNP members shall promote and maintain a
sense of responsibility in the protection, proper care, and judicious disposition and use of
public property issued for their official use or entrusted to their care and custody just like
"a good father of the family". When the Commander/Director is relieved from his post, all
properties/equipment belonging to the government must be turned over to the incoming.
A committee for the purpose shall be proper. Hence, it is a taboo for the outgoing
Commander/Director to detach, remove, and bring home or to the new assignment
properties that do not personally belong to him.
Respect for Human Rights. In the performance of duty, PNP members shall respect and
protect human dignity and uphold the human rights of all persons. No member shall inflict,
instigate or tolerate extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrest, any act of torture or other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and shall not invoke superior orders or
exceptional circumstances such as a state-of-war, a threat to national security, internal
political instability or any public emergency as a justification for committing such human
rights violations.
Devotion to Duty. PNP members shall perform their duties with dedication,
thoroughness, efficiency, enthusiasm, determination, and manifest concern for public
welfare, and shall refrain from engaging in any activity which shall conflict with their duties
as public servants.
The conversation of Natural Resources. PNP members shall help in the development
and conversation of our natural resources for ecological balance and posterity as these
are an inalienable heritage of our people.
Discipline. PNP members shall conduct themselves properly at all times in keeping with
the rules and regulations of the organization.
Loyalty. PNP members shall be loyal to the Constitution and the police service as
manifested by their loyalty to their superiors’ peers and subordinates as well.
Obedience to Superiors. PNP members shall obey lawful orders and be courteous to
superior officers and other appropriate authorities within the chain of command. They
shall readily accept whenever they are assigned anywhere in the country. Therefore, it is
a taboo for any personnel to petition in court or any public forum his assignment.
Command Responsibility. In accordance with the Doctrine on Command Responsibility,
immediate Commanders/Directors shall be responsible for the effective supervision,
control and direction of their personnel and shall see to it that all government resources
shall be managed, expended or utilized by laws and regulations and safeguard against
losses thru illegal or improper disposition.
Section 3. The Ethical Standards. Ethical Standards shall refer to established and
generally accepted moral values. Ethical acts to be observed are the following;
Morality. PNP members shall adhere to high standards of morality and decency and shall
set good examples for others to follow. In no instance during their terms of office, among
other things, shall they be involved as owners, operators, or illegal gambling den or other
places devoted to vices, nor shall they patronize such places unless on official duty, and
tolerate operations of such establishments in their respective areas of responsibilities.
They shall be faithful to their lawfully wedded spouse.
Judicious Use of Authority. PNP members shall exercise proper and legitimate use of
authority in the performance of duty.
Integrity. PNP shall not allow themselves to be victims of corruption and dishonest
practices following the provisions of RA 6713 and other applicable laws.
Justice. PNP members shall strive constantly to respect the rights of others so that they
can fulfill their duties and exercise their rights as human beings, parents, children,
citizens, workers, leaders, or in other capacities and to see to it that others do likewise.
Humility. PNP members shall recognize the fact that they are public servants and not the
masters of the people and toward this end, they should perform their duties without
arrogance. They shall also recognize their own inadequacies, inabilities, and limitations
as individuals and perform their duties without attracting attention or expecting the
applause of others.
Orderliness. PNP members shall follow logical procedures in accomplishing tasks
assigned to them to minimize waste in the use of time, money, and effort.
Perseverance. Once a decision is made, PNP members shall take legitimate means to
achieve the goal even in the face of internal or external difficulties, and despite anything
which might weaken their resolve in the course of time.
 The PNP Core Values

PNP Core Values

The police service is a noble profession which demands from its member’s
specialized knowledge and skills, as well as high standards of ethics and morality.
Hence, the members of the PNP must adhere to and internalize the enduring
core values of love of God, respect for authority, selfless love and service for
people, sanctity of marriage and family life, responsible dominion and
stewardship over material things, and truthfulness.

The Police Officer’s Creed

I believe in God, The Supreme Being, The Great Provider, and The Creator of all men
and everything dear to me. In return, I can do no less than love Him above all obeying
His word, seek His guidance in the performance of my sworn duties and honor Him at all
times.
I believe that respect for authority is a duty. I respect and uphold the Constitution, the
laws of the land, and the applicable rules and regulations. I recognize the legitimacy and
authority of the leadership and obey the legal orders of my superior officers.
I believe in selfless love and service to people. Towards this end, I commit myself to the
service of my fellowmen over and above my personal interest.
I believe in the sanctity of marriage and family life. I shall set the example of decency and
morality, shall have high regard for family life and the value of marital fidelity.
I believe in responsible dominion and stewardship over material things. I shall inhibit
myself from extravagance and ostentatious display of material things. I shall help protect
the environment and conserve nature to maintain ecological balance.
I believe in the wisdom of truthfulness. I must be trustworthy and I shall uphold the truth.
R.A No. 6713. Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical
Standards for Public Officials and Employees."

Section 2. Declaration of Policies. It is the policy of the State to promote a high standard
of ethics in public service. Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable
to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity,
competence, and loyalty, act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold
public interest over personal interest.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the term:

(a) "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.lawphi1.net

(b) "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.

(c) "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.

(d) "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.

(e) "Loan" covers both simple loan and common datum as well as guarantees, financing
arrangements or accommodations intended to ensure its approval.

(f) "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.

(g) "Family of public officials or employees" means their spouses and unmarried
children under eighteen (18) years of age.
(h) "Person" includes natural and juridical persons unless the context indicates
otherwise.

(i) "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.

(j) "Divestment" is the transfer of title or disposal of an interest in a 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.

(k) "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.

Section 4. Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees.

(A) Every public official and employee shall observe the following as standards of
personal conduct in the discharge and execution of official duties:

(a) Commitment to the 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.

(b) 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.

(c) 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. They shall at all times
respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals,
good customs, public policy, public order, public safety, and public interest. They shall not
dispense or extend undue favors on account of their office to their relatives whether by
consanguinity or affinity except with respect to appointments of such relatives to positions
considered strictly confidential or as members of their personal staff whose terms are
coterminous with theirs.
(d) Political neutrality. - Public officials and employees shall provide service to everyone
without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.

(e) Responsiveness to the public. - Public officials and employees shall extend prompt,
courteous, and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by law or when
required by the public interest, public officials and employees shall provide information of
their policies and procedures in clear and understandable language, ensure openness of
information, public consultations, and hearings whenever appropriate, encourage
suggestions, simplify and systematize policy, rules, and procedures, avoid red tape and
develop an understanding and appreciation of the socio-economic conditions prevailing
in the country, especially in the depressed rural and urban areas.

(f) 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.

(g) 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.

(h) Simple living. - Public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest
lives appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in an extravagant
or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.

(B) The Civil Service Commission shall adopt positive measures to promote (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; and (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.

Section 5. Duties of Public Officials and Employees. - In the performance of their

duties, all public officials and employees are under obligation to:

(a) Act promptly on letters and requests. - All public officials and employees shall, within
fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof, respond to letters, telegrams, or other
means of communications sent by the public. The reply must contain the action taken on
the request.
(b) Submit annual performance reports. - All heads or other responsible officers of offices
and agencies of the government and of government-owned or controlled corporations
shall, within forty-five (45) working days from the end of the year, render a performance
report of the agency or office or corporation concerned. Such a report shall be open and
available to the public within regular office hours.

(c) Process documents and papers expeditiously. - All official papers and documents
must be processed and completed within a reasonable time from the preparation thereof
and must contain, as far as practicable, not more than three (3) signatories therein. In the
absence of duly authorized signatories, the official next-in-rank or officer in charge shall
sign for and on their behalf.

(d) Act immediately on the public's personal transactions. - All public officials and
employees must attend to anyone who wants to avail himself of the services of their
offices and must, at all times, act promptly and expeditiously.

(e) Make documents accessible to the public. - All public documents must be made
accessible to, and readily available for inspection by, the public within reasonable working
hours.

Section 6. System of Incentives and Rewards. - A system of annual incentives and

rewards is hereby established in order to motivate and inspire public servants to uphold
the highest standards of ethics. For this purpose, a Committee on Awards to Outstanding
Public Officials and Employees is hereby created composed of the following: the
Ombudsman and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission as Co-Chairmen, and the
Chairman of the Commission on Audit, and two government employees to be appointed
by the President, as members.

It shall be the task of this Committee to conduct a periodic, continuing review of the
performance of public officials and employees, in all the branches and agencies of
Government and establish a system of annual incentives and rewards to the end that due
recognition is given to public officials and employees of outstanding merit on the basis of
the standards set forth in this Act.

The conferment of awards shall take into account, among other things, the following: the
years of service and the quality and consistency of performance, the obscurity of the
position, and the level of salary, the unique and exemplary quality of a certain
achievement, and the risks or temptations inherent in the work. Incentives and rewards
to government officials and employees of the year to be announced in public ceremonies
honoring them may take the form of bonuses, citations, directorships in government-
owned or controlled corporations, local and foreign scholarship grants, paid vacations and
the like. They shall likewise be automatically promoted to the next higher position with the
commensurate salary suitable to their qualifications. In case there is no next higher
position or it is not vacant, said position shall be included in the budget of the office in the
next General Appropriations Act. The Committee on Awards shall adopt its own rules to
govern the conduct of its activities.

Section 7. Prohibited Acts and Transactions. - In addition to acts and omissions of

public officials and employees now prescribed in the Constitution and existing laws, the
following shall constitute prohibited acts and transactions of any public official and
employee and are hereby declared to be unlawful:

(a) Financial and material interest. - Public officials and employees shall not, directly or
indirectly, have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval
of their office.

(b) Outside employment and other activities related thereto. - Public officials and
employees during their incumbency shall not:

(1) Own, control, manage or accept employment as an officer, employee, consultant,

counsel, broker, agent, trustee or nominee in any private enterprise regulated, supervised
or licensed by their office unless expressly allowed by law;

(2) Engage in the private practice of their profession unless authorized by the Constitution
or law, provided, that such practice will not conflict or tend to conflict with their official
functions; or

(3) Recommend any person to any position in a private enterprise which has a regular or
pending official transaction with their office.

These prohibitions shall continue to apply for a period of one (1) year after resignation,
retirement, or separation from public office, except in the case of subparagraph (b) (2)
above, but the professional concerned cannot practice his profession in connection with
any matter before the office he used to be with, in which case the one-year prohibition
shall likewise apply.

(c) Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information. - Public officials and

employees shall not use or divulge, confidential or classified information officially known
to them by reason of their office and not made available to the public, either:

(1) To further their private interests, or give undue advantage to anyone; or

(2) To prejudice the public interest.

(d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. - Public officials and employees shall not solicit
or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, a loan or anything
of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection
with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the
functions of their office.

As to gifts or grants from foreign governments, the Congress consents to:

(i) The acceptance and retention by a public official or employee of a gift of nominal value
tendered and received as a souvenir or mark of courtesy;

(ii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of a gift in the nature of a scholarship
or fellowship grant or medical treatment; or

(iii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of travel grants or expenses for travel
taking place entirely outside the Philippine (such as allowances, transportation, food, and
lodging) of more than the nominal value if such acceptance is appropriate or consistent
with the interests of the Philippines, and permitted by the head of office, branch or agency
to which he belongs.

The Ombudsman shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
purpose of this subsection, including pertinent reporting and disclosure requirements.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or prohibit any educational, scientific, or
cultural exchange programs subject to national security requirements.

Section 8. Statements and Disclosure. - Public officials and employees have an

obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the
right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests
including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of
age living in their households.

(A) Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Financial Disclosure. - All public officials and
employees, except those who serve in an honorary capacity, laborers and casual or
temporary workers, shall file under oath their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net
Worth and a Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial Connections and those of
their spouses and unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of age living in their
households.

The two documents shall contain information on the following:

(a) Real property, its improvements, acquisition costs, assessed value, and current fair
market value;

(b) Personal property and acquisition cost;

(c) All other assets such as investments, cash on hand or in banks, stocks, bonds, and
the like;

(d) Liabilities, and;

(c) Within thirty (30) days after separation from the service.

All public officials and employees required under this section to file the foretasted
documents shall also execute, within thirty (30) days from the date of their assumption of
office, the necessary authority in favor of the Ombudsman to obtain from all appropriate
government agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, such documents as may
show their assets, liabilities, net worth, and also their business interests and financial
connections in previous years, including, if possible, the year when they first assumed
any office in the Government.

Husband and wife who are both public officials and employees may file the required
statements jointly or separately.

The Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth and the Disclosure of Business
Interests and Financial Connections shall be filed by:

(1) Constitutional and national elective officials, with the national office of the
Ombudsman;

(2) Senators and Congressmen, with the Secretaries of the Senate and the House of
Representatives, respectively; Justices, with the Clerk of Court of the Supreme Court;
Judges, with the Court Administrator; and all national executive officials with the Office of
the President.

(3) Regional and local officials and employees, with the Deputy Ombudsman in their
respective regions;

(4) Officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, with the Office
of the President, and those below said ranks, with the Deputy Ombudsman in their
respective regions; and

(5) All other public officials and employees, defined in Republic Act No. 3019, as
amended, with the Civil Service Commission.

(B) Identification and disclosure of relatives. - It shall be the duty of every public official or
employee to identify and disclose, to the best of his knowledge and information, his
relatives in the Government in the form, manner, and frequency prescribed by the Civil
Service Commission.
(C) Accessibility of documents. - (1) any and all statements filed under this Act, shall be
made available for inspection at reasonable hours.

(2) Such statements shall be made available for copying or reproduction after ten (10)
working days from the time they are filed as required by law.

(3) Any person requesting a copy of a statement shall be required to pay a reasonable
fee to cover the cost of reproduction and mailing of such statement, as well as the cost of
certification.

(4) Any statement filed under this Act shall be available to the public for a period of ten
(10) years after receipt of the statement. After such a period, the statement may be
destroyed unless needed in an ongoing investigation.

(D) Prohibited acts. - It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or use any statement
filed under this Act for:

(a) Any purpose contrary to morals or public policy; or

(b) Any commercial purpose other than by news and communications media for
dissemination to the general public.

Section 9. Divestment. - A public official or employee shall avoid conflicts of interest at

all times. When a conflict of interest arises, he shall resign from his position in any private
business enterprise within thirty (30) days from his assumption of office and/or divest
himself of his shareholdings or interest within sixty (60) days from such assumption.

The same rule shall apply where the public official or employee is a partner in a
partnership.

The requirement of divestment shall not apply to those who serve the Government in an
honorary capacity nor to laborers and casual or temporary workers.

Section 10. Review and Compliance Procedure. - (a) The designated Committees of
both Houses of the Congress shall establish procedures for the review of statements to
determine whether said statements which have been submitted on time, are complete,
and are in proper form. In the event a determination is made that a statement is not so
filed, the appropriate Committee shall so inform the reporting individual and direct him to
take the necessary corrective action.

(b) In order to carry out their responsibilities under this Act, the designated Committees
of both Houses of Congress shall have the power within their respective jurisdictions, to
render any opinion interpreting this Act, in writing, to persons covered by this Act, subject
in each instance to the approval by an affirmative vote of the majority of the particular
House concerned.

The individual to whom an opinion is rendered, and any other individual involved in a
similar factual situation, and who, after issuance of the opinion acts in good faith in
accordance with it shall not be subject to any sanction provided in this Act.

(c) The heads of other offices shall perform the duties stated in subsections (a) and (b)
hereof insofar as their respective offices are concerned, subject to the approval of the
Secretary of Justice, in the case of the Executive Department and the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court, in the case of the Judicial Department.

Section 11. Penalties. - (a) Any public official or employee, regardless of whether or not
he holds office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent or regular
capacity, committing any violation of this Act shall be punished with a fine not exceeding
the equivalent of six (6) months' salary or suspension not exceeding one (1) year, or
removal depending on the gravity of the offense after due notice and hearing by the
appropriate body or agency. If the violation is punishable by a heavier penalty under
another law, he shall be prosecuted under the latter statute. Violations of Sections 7, 8 or
9 of this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding five (5) years, or a fine
not exceeding five thousand pesos (P5,000), or both, and, in the discretion of the court of
competent jurisdiction, disqualification to hold public office.

(b) Any violation hereof proven in a proper administrative proceeding shall be sufficient
cause for removal or dismissal of a public official or employee, even if no criminal
prosecution is instituted against him.

(c) Private individuals who participate in a conspiracy as co-principals, accomplices or

accessories, with public officials or employees, in violation of this Act, shall be subject to
the same penal liabilities as to the public officials or employees and shall be tried jointly
with them.

Section 12. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations, Administration and

Enforcement of this Act. - The Civil Service Commission shall have the primary
responsibility for the administration and enforcement of this Act. It shall transmit all cases
for prosecution arising from violations of this Act to the proper authorities for appropriate
action: Provided, however, that it may institute such administrative actions and
disciplinary measures as may be warranted in accordance with the law. Nothing in this
provision shall be construed as a deprivation of the right of each House of Congress to
discipline its Members for disorderly behavior.

The Civil Service Commission is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, including guidelines for individuals who
render free voluntary service to the Government. The Ombudsman shall likewise take
steps to protect citizens who denounce acts or omissions of public officials and
employees which are in violation of this Act.

Section 13. Provisions for More Stringent Standards. - Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to derogate from any law or any regulation prescribed by anybody or agency,
which provides for more stringent standards for its officials and employees.

Section 14. Appropriations. - The sum necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act shall be taken from the appropriations of the Civil Service Commission. Thereafter,
such sum as may be needed for its continued implementation shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of the Act or
the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected
by such declaration.

Section 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, and orders or parts thereof inconsistent
herewith, are deemed repealed or modified accordingly unless the same provider for a
heavier penalty.

Section 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after thirty (30) days following the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved, February 20, 1989.