RA 6713 T AN D A RDS

C T A N D ET H IC AL S
CODE OF CONDU
FIC IA LS A N D E M PL OY EES
FOR PUBLIC OF
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.
PUBLIC OFFICE
• A PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST.
• A PUBLIC TRUST IMPLIES A FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A PUBLIC OFFICER,
WHO IS A TRUSTEE, AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BENEFICIARIES, OF A PUBLIC OFFICE.

• DUE TO THIS RELATIONSHIP, UTMOST RESPONSIBILITY, INTEGRITY, LOYALTY,

EFFICIENCY, FIDELITY, GOOD FAITH AND ACCOUNTABILITY ARE REQUIRED OF PUBLIC
OFFICERS.
PUBLIC OFFICE IS NOT PROPERTY

• ALTHOUGH PUBLIC OFFICE IS NOT PROPERTY AND ONE CANNOT ACQUIRE A VESTED
RIGHT TO PUBLIC OFFICE, IT IS , NEVERTHELESS, A PROTECTED RIGHT.

• IT CANNOT BE TAKEN FROM ITS INCUMBENT WITHOUT DUE PROCESS.

• A PUBLIC OFFICE IS PERSONAL TO THE PUBLIC OFFICER AND CANNOT BE
TRANSMISSIBLE TO HIS HEIRS UPON HIS DEATH.
WHO IS A PUBLIC OFFICER/OFFICIAL?
• "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.

• ANY PERSON WHO, BY DIRECT PROVISION OF THE LAW, POPULAR ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT BY
COMPETENT AUTHORITY, SHALL TAKE PART IN THE PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC FUNCTIONS IN THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, OR SHALL PERFORM IN SAID GOVERNMENT OR IN ANY OF ITS
BRANCHES PUBLIC DUTIES AS AN EMPLOYEE, AGENT, OR SUBORDINATE OFFICIAL, OF ANY RANK OR
CLASS, SHALL BE DEEMED A PUBLIC OFFICER.
NORMS OF CONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND
EMPLOYEES
• COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC INTEREST
• PROFESSIONALISM
• JUSTNESS AND SINCERITY
• POLITICAL NEUTRALITY
• RESPONSIVENESS TO THE PUBLIC
• NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM
• COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY
• SIMPLE LIVING
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

• 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. 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.
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. 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.
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

• 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.
DUTIES OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES

• ACT PROMPTLY ON LETTERS AND REQUESTS

• SUBMIT ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORTS
• PROCESS DOCUMENTS AND PAPERS EXPEDITIOUSLY
• ACT IMMEDIATELY ON THE PUBLIC’S PERSONAL TRANSACTIONS
• MAKE DOCUMENTS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS

• 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.
PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS
• OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER ACTIVITIES RELATED THERETO. - PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES DURING THEIR
INCUMBENCY SHALL NOT:

• (1) OWN, CONTROL, MANAGE OR ACCEPT EMPLOYMENT AS 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.
PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS
• 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.

PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS

• SOLICITATION OR ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS. - PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES SHALL NOT SOLICIT OR
ACCEPT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY GIFT, GRATUITY, FAVOR, ENTERTAINMENT, 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 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.
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.

• HUSBAND AND WIFE WHO ARE BOTH PUBLIC OFFICIALS OR EMPLOYEES MAY FILE THE REQUIRED
STATEMENTS JOINTLY OR SEPARATELY.
SALN
• THE DOCUMENTS MUST BE FILED:

• (A) WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE;

• (B) ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, OF EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER; AND

• (C) WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SEPARATION FROM THE SERVICE.
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.