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.

Quiz on the norms of conduct for public officials and employees in the Philippines, including commitment to public interest and efficient use of government resources.