The document outlines the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials and employees in the Philippines, emphasizing the principles of accountability, professionalism, and commitment to public interest. It details norms and duties that govern public service behavior, including responsiveness to the public and the prohibition of conflicts of interest. The document also defines penalties for violations of these standards, reinforcing the importance of integrity and ethical conduct in public office.

1. The Code of Conduct
and Ethical Standards
for Public Officials and
Employees (RA 6713)
March 13, 2024

2. Public office is a public trust.

3. Article II - State Policies
Section 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service
and prohibit political service and take positive and effective measures against
graft and corruption.
RA 1379 (1955) – Asset forfeiture
RA 3019 (1960) – Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act
RA 6713 (1989) – The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public
Officials and Employees
RA 7070 (1991) – Anti-Plunder Law

4. Public officers and employees must at all times, be accountable to the people,
serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with
patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives." (Re: Anonymous Letter
Complaint Against SC Employees, September 30, 2014)

5. Article II - State Policies
Section 28. Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State
adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions
involving public interest
RA 6713 – Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth
RA 9485 – Anti Red Tape Act of 2007
RA 9184 – Government Procurement Reform Act
RA 11032 – Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018

6. The greatest good of the greatest number and the right of the citizenry
to a good government, … provide the justification for the said injury to
the individual. (a government employee may be dismissed when public
interest is at stake)
In terms of values, the interest of an employee to security of tenure
must yield to the interest of the entire populace and to an efficient and
honest government.
(Lagman v. Ochoa, November 3, 2020)

7. RA 6713
Public Office – the term public office is frequently used to refer to the
right, authority, and duty, created and conferred by law, by which, for a
given period either fixed by law or enduring at the pleasure of the
creating power (coterminous), an individual is invested with some
portion of the sovereign functions of government, to be exercised by
that individual for the benefit of the public (Fernandez v. Sto Tomas)

8. 1. 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.
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

9. 2. 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.
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

10. 3. 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 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.
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

11. 4. Political neutrality
Public officials and employees shall provide service to everyone without unfair
discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

12. PARTISAN POLITICAL ACTIVITY
the term “election campaign” or “partisan political activity refers to an act
designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or
candidates to a public office (People v. Ramoy, March 09, 2022)
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees
Engaging directly or indirectly in political activities by one holding non-political
office (Section 50d 10 of 2017 RACCS)
• 1st
Offense – suspension of 1 month and 1 day to 6 months
• 2nd
Offense – dismissal from service

13. Appointed Officials deemed resigned
An appointed official is deemed to have resigned from his office upon the
filing of his certificate of candidacy for. The same or any other elected office or
position (Quinto v. COMELEC, February 22, 2010)
The intention to impose a strict limitation on the participation of civil
service officers and employees in partisan political campaigns is
unmistakable. (so as not to influence)
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

14. Appointment ban
Clearly, Sec. Art. IX of the 1987 Constitution and Section 94(b) of the LGC of
1991 prohibits losing candidates within 1 year after such election to be
appointed to any office in the government or any government-owned or
controlled corporations or in any of their subsidiaries (People v.
Sandiganbayan, July 23, 2008)
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

15. 5. Responsiveness to the Public
Public officials and employees shall extend prompt, courteous, and adequate
service to the public.
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
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

16. 6. 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.
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

17. 7. 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.
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

18. 8. 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. (No flaunting of wealth
Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

19. Duties of Public Officials and Employees
1. 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.

20. Duties of Public Officials and Employees
2. 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 report shall be open and
available to the public within regular office hours (IPCR/OPCR)

21. Duties of Public Officials and Employees
3. 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 in their behalf. (with authority)

22. Duties of Public Officials and Employees
4. 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.

23. Duties of Public Officials and Employees
5. 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.

24. Prohibited Acts and Transactions
1. 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.

25. Prohibited Acts and Transactions
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.

26. Prohibited Acts and Transactions
3. 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.

27. Prohibited Acts and Transactions
4. 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.

28. Statements and Disclosures
The SAL 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; (cars or movables)
C. all other assets such as investments, cash on hand or in banks, stocks,
bonds, and the like;
D. liabilities, and; (loans, credit cards)
E. all business interests and financial connections.
The documents must be filed:
F. within thirty (30) days after assumption of office;
G. on or before April 30, of every year thereafter; and
H. within thirty (30) days after separation from the service

29. PENALTIES
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) a fine not exceeding the equivalent of six (6) months' salary or
(b) suspension not exceeding one (1) year, or
(c) removal depending on the gravity of the offense after due notice and hearing
by the appropriate body or agency.