Public Officials and Employees Awards

• Republic Act No. 6713 establishes a code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.
• It aims to uphold public office as a public trust and provides penalties for violations.
• This act is also known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."
• The State promotes a high standard of ethics in public service.
• Public officials and employees must be accountable to the people.
• They are expected to discharge their duties with responsibility, integrity, competence, loyalty, patriotism, and justice.
• Leading a modest life and prioritizing public interest over personal interest is required.

Definition of Terms

• Government includes the National Government, local governments, and all instrumentalities, agencies, or branches of the Republic of the Philippines.
• This includes government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.
• Public officials include elective and appointive officials and employees, whether permanent or temporary.
• Military and police personnel are also included, regardless of compensation.
• Gift refers to a thing or right disposed of gratuitously, including simulated sales.
• Unsolicited gifts of nominal value not given in anticipation of a favor are excluded.
• Receiving any gift includes accepting gifts from someone other than family members or relatives, especially if the value is significant or given in exchange for a favor.
• Loan covers simple loans, commodatum, guarantees, and financing arrangements intended to ensure approval.
• Substantial stockholder refers to a person owning enough shares to elect a director of a corporation and applies to parties in a voting trust.
• Family includes spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age.
• Person includes natural and juridical persons.
• Conflict of interest arises when a public official is a board member, officer, or substantial stockholder of a private corporation, and their interests may conflict with their official duty.
• Divestment is the transfer of title or disposal of interest in property, completely dispossessing oneself of the right, except to a spouse or relatives.
• Relatives include persons related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.

Norms of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees

• Public officials and employees must uphold public interest over personal interest.
• Government resources must be used efficiently and economically.
• Officials must perform duties with excellence, professionalism, intelligence, and skill.
• Discouraging perceptions of roles as dispensers of undue patronage is a key element.
• Public officials and employees must act with justness and sincerity.
• Discrimination against anyone, especially the poor, is prohibited.
• They should respect the rights of others and abide by laws, morals, customs, public policy, and public safety.
• Dispensing undue favors to relatives is prohibited, except for confidential positions.
• Public officials and employees must provide service to everyone without unfair discrimination.
• They should extend prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the public.
• Providing clear information on policies and procedures is mandatory.
• Policy should encourage suggestions, simplify processes, avoid red tape, and understand socio-economic conditions.
• Public officials and employees must be loyal to the Republic and promote local products.
• They should maintain Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion.
• Commitment to democracy requires upholding public accountability and civilian authority over the military.
• Public officials and employees and their families should lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income.
• Extravagant displays of wealth are prohibited.
• The Civil Service Commission promotes these standards through information programs and incentives.
• This includes workshops and merit increases for employees with outstanding ethical standards.

Duties of Public Officials and Employees

• Public officials and employees must respond to letters and requests within 15 working days.
• Heads of offices must render an annual performance report within 45 working days of the year's end, making it available to the public.
• All official papers and documents must be processed and completed promptly.
• There should be no more than three signatories.
• The next-in-rank official signs in the absence of authorized signatories.
• Act immediately on the public's personal transactions at all times.
• All public documents must be accessible for public inspection within reasonable hours.

System of Incentives and Rewards

• Annual incentives and rewards motivate public servants to uphold ethics.
• A Committee on Awards recognizes outstanding public officials and employees.
• The committee consists of the Ombudsman, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, the Chairman of the Commission on Audit, and two government employees appointed by the President.
• The Committee conducts periodic reviews of the performance of public officials and employees.
• This establishes a system of annual incentives and rewards for outstanding merit.
• Awards consider years of service, performance quality, position obscurity, salary level, unique achievements, and inherent risks.
• Incentives and rewards include bonuses, citations, directorships, scholarships, paid vacations, and automatic promotions.
• If no higher position is available, it will be included in the next General Appropriations Act.

Prohibited Acts and Transactions

• Public officials and employees should not have financial/material interest in transactions requiring their office's approval.
• During their incumbency, public officials and employees cannot own, control, manage, or accept employment in a regulated private enterprise, unless expressly allowed by law.
• Engaging in private practice of their profession is disallowed if it conflicts with official functions, unless authorized.
• Recommending someone to a position in a private firm with official transactions with their office isn't allowed.
• These prohibitions apply for one year after leaving public office, except for the private practice of profession related to their former office.

Disclosure and Confidentiality

• Public officials and employees must not use or divulge confidential information for private interests or to prejudice public interest.
• Gifts should not be solicited or accepted, directly or indirectly.
• This includes gratuities, favors, entertainment, loans, or anything of monetary value.
• Congress consents to accepting gifts from foreign governments only if they are souvenirs, scholarships, medical treatments, or travel grants consistent with Philippine interests.
• The Ombudsman prescribes regulations for reporting and disclosure requirements.
• This Act does restrict approved educational, scientific, or cultural exchange programs that meet national security requirements.

Statements and Disclosure

• Public officials and employees must declare under oath their assets, liabilities, net worth, and financial/business interests, including those of their spouses and unmarried children under 18 living in their households.
• Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Financial Disclosure are required for all public officials and employees, except honorary officials, laborers, and casual or temporary workers.
• The documents must contain information on real property, personal property, investments, liabilities, business interests, and financial connections.
• Documents must be filed within 30 days of assuming office, annually by April 30, and within 30 days of separation from service.
• Officials must authorize the Ombudsman to obtain documents from government agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
• Husband and wife who are both public officials may file jointly or separately.
• Constitutional/national elective officials file with the Ombudsman.
• Senators/Congressmen, Justices, Judges, and national executive officials file with their respective offices.
• Regional/local officials file Deputy Ombudsman in their regions.
• Armed forces officers file with the Office of the President or Deputy Ombudsman, depending on rank.
• All other officials file with the Civil Service Commission.
• Every public official or employee must disclose their relatives in the Government to the Civil Service Commission.
• All statements filed are available for public inspection at reasonable hours.
• Statements are available for copying or reproduction after ten working days.
• Requesting a copy of a statement requires paying a reasonable fee.
• Statements are available to the public for ten years, after which they may be destroyed unless needed for an investigation.
• Using statements for purposes contrary to morals or public policy, or for commercial purposes other than by news media, is unlawful.

Divestment

• Public officials or employees must avoid conflicts of interest.
• Resignation from private business within 30 days and/or divestment of shareholdings within 60 days of assuming office is required.
• This applies to partnerships as well.
• Divestment doesn't apply to honorary government officials, laborers, or temporary workers.

Review and Compliance Procedure

• Committees of Congress review statements for timeliness, completeness, and proper form.
• They inform individuals and direct them to take corrective action if a statement is deficient.
• Committees can render written opinions interpreting this Act, with the approval of their respective Houses.
• Individuals acting in good faith based on these opinions are not subject to sanctions.
• Heads of other offices perform similar duties, subject to approval by the Secretary of Justice or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Penalties

• Violations of this Act lead to a fine, suspension, or removal, after due process.
• Violations of Sections 7, 8, or 9 are punishable with imprisonment up to five years, a fine up to five thousand pesos, or both, and disqualification from holding public office.
• Violations proven in administrative proceedings can cause removal or dismissal, even without criminal prosecution.
• Private individuals conspiring with public officials are subject to the same liabilities.
• Officials can sue anyone using a report for prohibited purposes, with a penalty up to twenty-five thousand pesos.
• The heavier sanction applies if another law provides a heavier penalty.
• The Civil Service Commission is responsible for administering and enforcing this Act.
• Cases arising from violations will be transmitted for prosecution.
• The House of Congress retains the right to discipline its members.
• Individuals rendering free voluntary service to the Government are also subject to rules.
• The Ombudsman protects citizens who report violations.
• Nothing in this Act derogates from stricter standards set by other laws or regulations.

Appropriations, Separability, Repealing Clause, and Effectivity

• Necessary funds for the Act's implementation will be taken from Civil Service Commission appropriations.
• Subsequent funding will be in the annual General Appropriations Act.
• The Act remains in effect, even if some provisions become invalid.
• All conflicting laws, decrees, and orders are repealed or modified, unless they provide a heavier penalty.
• The Act took effect 30 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two national newspapers on February 20, 1989.