Philippine Public Officials Code of Conduct

Norms of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees

• Public officials and employees must always prioritize public interest over personal interest in the discharge of their duties.

Commitment to Public Interest

• Government resources and powers must be employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly, and economically to avoid wastage of public funds and revenues.

Professionalism

• Public officials and employees must perform their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence, and skill.
• They must enter public service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty.
• They must discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as dispensers or peddlers of undue patronage.

Justness and Sincerity

• Public officials and employees must remain true to the people at all times.
• They must act with justness and sincerity and refrain from discriminating against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged.
• They must respect the rights of others and refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety, and public interest.
• They may dispense or extend undue favors to relatives only for strictly confidential positions or as members of their personal staff.

Political Neutrality

• Public officials and employees must provide service to everyone without unfair discrimination, regardless of party affiliation or preference.

Responsiveness to the Public

• Public officials and employees must extend prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the public.
• They must provide information on their policies and procedures in clear and understandable language.
• They must ensure openness of information, public consultations, and hearings whenever appropriate.

Nationalism and Patriotism

• Public officials and employees must be loyal to the Republic and the Filipino people.
• They must promote the use of locally produced goods, resources, and technology.
• They must encourage appreciation and pride of country and people.
• They must maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion.

Commitment to Democracy

• Public officials and employees must commit themselves to the democratic way of life and values.
• They must maintain the principle of public accountability and manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the military.
• They must uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty to persons or party.

Simple Living

• Public officials and employees and their families must lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income.
• They must not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.