RA 6713

"Code of Conduct and Ethical

Standards for Public Officials and
Employees."
ATTY ROMARIE G COMILLAS
SINSP BFP
C, LEGAL/HEARING-R1
 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 .

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
SECTION 2:

Declaration Of Policies
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 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.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
SECTION 3:

Definition of Terms
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 DEFINATION OF TERMS
A.Government
B. Public Officials
C. Gift
D. Receiving any gift
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 DEFINATION OF TERMS
E. Loan
F. Substantial Stockholder
G. Family of public officials or
employees
H. Person
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 DEFINATION OF TERMS
I. Conflict of Interest
J. Divestment

K. Relatives
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
SECTION 4:

Norms of Conduct of Public

Officials and Employees

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for 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 public interest.
 (b) Professionalism.
 (c) Justness and sincerity.
 (d) Political neutrality.
 (e) Responsiveness to the public.
 (f) Nationalism and patriotism.
 g) Commitment to democracy.
 (h) Simple living.
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
(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.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
SECTION 5:

Duties of Public Officials and

Employees.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for 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

 (b) Submit annual performance reports.

 (c) Process documents and papers

expeditiously.
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 (d) Act immediately on the public's
personal transactions.

 (e) Make documents accessible to

the public.
SECTION 6:

System of Incentives and Rewards

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
A system of annual incentives and
rewards is to motivate and inspire
public servants to uphold the highest
standards of ethics.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 Committee on Awards to Outstanding Public Officials and
Employees is hereby created composed of the following:

CO-CHAIRMEN MEMBERS
Ombudsman Chairman of the Commission on Audit
Chairman of the Civil Service Commission Two government employees to be appointed
by the President
SECTION 7:

Prohibited Acts and Transactions

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 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.

 (b) Outside employment and other activities
related thereto.
 (c) Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential
information
 (d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts.
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
SECTION 8:

Statements and Disclosure

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
(A) Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Financial
Disclosure.

Statements and Disclosure

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 Statements and Disclosure
(B) Identification and disclosure of
relatives.

(C) Accessibility of documents.

(D) Prohibited acts

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
SECTION 9:

Divestment
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 A public official or employee shall avoid

Divestment
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.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
SECTION 10:

Review and Compliance

Procedure
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
(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.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
(b) In order to carry out their responsibilities under

Review and Compliance Procedure

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 affirmative vote of the majority of the particular
House concerned.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 Review and Compliance Procedure
(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.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
SECTION 11:

Penalties
RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
(a) Any public official or employee, regardless of whether or not he
holds office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent

Penalties
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.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
(b) Any violation hereof proven in a proper
administrative proceeding shall be

Penalties
sufficient cause for removal or dismissal of
a public official or employee, even if no
criminal prosecution is instituted against
him.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
(c) Private individuals who participate in
conspiracy as co-principals, accomplices or

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

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
(d) The official or employee concerned may bring an
action against any person who obtains or uses a

Penalties
report for any purpose prohibited by Section 8 (D) of
this Act. The Court in which such action is brought
may assess against such person a penalty in any
amount not to exceed twenty-five thousand pesos
(P25,000). If another sanction hereunder or under
any other law is heavier, the latter shall apply.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
SECTION 12:

Promulgation of Rules and Regulations,

Administration and Enforcement of this Act

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 Administration and Enforcement of this Act
The Civil Service Commission shall have the primary responsibility for

Promulgation of Rules and Regulations,

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 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.

RA 6713: “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
 THANK YOU

ATTY ROMARIE G COMILLAS

SINSP BFP
C, LEGAL/HEARING-R1