OPEN UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS
Lingayen, Pangasinan
MASTER IN DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT
MAJOR IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
FDM 202 ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN PUBLIC SERVICE
Second Semester, SY 2023-2024
FDM 202 REACTION PAPER #1
“CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR
PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLYEES”
Submitted by:
(JANICE D. JARANILLA)
MDM Student
Submitted to:
DR. RRICKY TIM S. SISON
Professor, FDM 202
(February 3, 2024)
Conduct and ethical standards for Public
Officials and Employees
Republic Act No. 6713, which outlines a stringent code of conduct and ethical standards,
is followed by government employees in the Philippines. This law lays out the fundamental
values that public employees should adhere to, placing a strong emphasis on accountability,
integrity, transparency, and public responsiveness. It is expected of government employees to
maintain the highest levels of professionalism, abstain from conflicts of interest, and put the good
of the public before their own interests. The Code of Conduct fosters an ethical culture of
governance, guaranteeing that public employees make a positive contribution to the country's
overall well-being while upholding the Filipino people's faith in their government.
As part of the government's commitment to fostering integrity and accountability, the
Duterte administration in the Philippines placed a strong emphasis on adherence to the Code of
Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713). The
attempts to combat corruption in government agencies serve as an illustration of this dedication.
Known for taking a firm stand against corruption, President Rodrigo Duterte put policies in place
to guarantee openness and moral conduct from public servants.
As part of this commitment, a number of government agencies launched programs
including the creation of hotlines for the reporting of corruption, the adoption of electronic
systems to expedite procedures and reduce bribery opportunities, and the stringent enforcement
of laws prohibiting the acceptance of gifts or favors that could jeopardize the integrity of public
officials. In line with the values stated in the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public
Officials and Employees, these acts demonstrate the administration's commitment to
maintaining moral standards and developing an integrity-focused culture within the government.
Based on the video I watched, the conduct and ethical standards of government officials
are not really implemented properly. This is because the leader itself is the one who does not
follow them. An example of this is the act of giving gifts to government employees. We know that
giving gifts is a way to appreciate and make someone happy. However, in the Philippines, this
is prohibited for government employees while they are in office, especially when the reason for
giving a gift is to express gratitude for the assistance they provided. This practice is considered
against ethical standards and is not allowed.
However, the practice is not consistently followed. Some employees still accept gifts as
a form of gratitude, and while it may not be evident to the public, it continues to happen. This
includes giving food to the office as a token of appreciation, or expressing sentiments like "I'll
take care of you next time, just help me out." Additionally, there are instances where employees
accept money through what is commonly referred to as an "under the table" process.
Another example is in answering client inquiries. Sometimes, employees do not provide
honest and straightforward responses because they perceive themselves as the authority in the
office. They might instruct clients to wait in line, come back on another day, or give them the
runaround, unnecessarily extending the client's ordeal. Instead of promptly addressing their
queries, clients are made to wait or return on a different day. I am aware of this because I have
experienced it firsthand.
There are countless more instances, but neither the general public nor we as public
servants often notice them. Many laws are stipulated in Republic Act No. 6713, but government
employees frequently fail to implement them. Why? First of all, since they are ignorant. Second,
not even the most powerful people uphold these laws. Thirdly, following these rules requires a
lack of self-discipline.
It is essential to study the Ethics Standards and Code of Conduct in this course because
it promotes awareness. It enables everyone to understand the law's provisions and gives us the
authority to support those who fall under our jurisdiction in correctly putting it into practice.
Teaching public servants and employees about these standards fosters an ethical and
accountable culture. The video also acknowledges that proper implementation of RA 6713 was
not fully realized under Duterte's administration. This was linked to the different motivations of
certain leaders and their inability to carry out their duties effectively.
In conclusion, Republic Act No. 6713 in the Philippines establishes strict guidelines for
government officials' conduct and ethics, placing a strong emphasis on transparency,
accountability, integrity, and public responsiveness. Notwithstanding the government's stated
intention to fight corruption and encourage moral behavior, implementation issues have been
noted. Problems like accepting gifts and being dishonest with clients expose violations of ethical
norms, which can be linked to things like ignorance, a lack of role models, and the requirement
for self-control. Although the video emphasizes how important it is to teach public servants about
these standards, it also implies that during the Duterte administration, there may have been
challenges to fully implementing the law.
Thinking back on these difficulties makes us consider the larger dynamics involved in
promoting an ethical governance culture. In what ways can leaders guarantee a continuous
adherence to moral principles, and what structural adjustments are required to close the gap
between the law and its actual application? By examining these issues, we traverse the complex
road toward establishing a government that not only develops moral standards but also
successfully incorporates them into the decisions and actions made by public employees on a
daily basis.
References:
http://senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2831824661!.pdf
https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/docs/republicacts/Implementing_Rules_of_RA_6713.pdf
