Public Officials Code of Conduct Quiz

Public Officials and Employees: Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards

• Public Officials: Include elective and appointive officials, permanent or temporary employees in career or non-career service, including military and police personnel, regardless of compensation amount.
• Gift: A thing or right gratuitously given, or any act of liberality, including simulated sales or ostensibly onerous transactions. Does not include unsolicited gifts of nominal or insignificant value, not given in anticipation of a favor.
• Receiving a Gift: Accepting a gift from a non-family member, even on family celebrations like Christmas, if the gift value is not nominal or insignificant, or given in anticipation of a favor.
• Family of Public Officials/Employees: Spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age.
• Conflict of Interest: Arises when a public official/employee is a member of a board, officer, substantial stockholder of a private corporation or business, or has a considerable interest in a business where such interest opposes or affects their official duty.
• Divestment: Transferring title or disposal of interests in property voluntarily to someone other than spouse or relatives.
• Ethical Standard: Refers to conduct and behavior governing a group or organization.
• Morals and Morality: Refers to good conduct and making judgements.
• Police Ethics: Practical science of human morality and duty in law enforcement,
• Professional Conduct: Refers to the standard behavior of professionals in their respective professions.
• Commitment to Public Interest: Public officials/employees prioritize public interest over personal interest, using government resources efficiently, effectively, honestly, and economically.
• Professionalism: Public servants perform duties with high excellence, professionalism, intelligence, and skill.

RA 6713 Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards

• RA 6713: Establishes a code of conduct for public officials and employees, mandating accountability, a patriotic and just conduct, modest lives, and prioritized public interest over personal interests.
• Professional Conduct: Governing members of professional bodies (statutory or contractual). It involves ethics, morals, and standard behavior required in professional work, especially when working in government service.
• Police Professional Conduct: Importance of ethics to be effective and to build trust in communities.
• Commitment to Public Interest: Officers must uphold public interest over personal interests.
• Professionalism: Officers should perform duties with skill and diligence.
• Justness and Sincerity: Acting justly, with sincerity and fairness at all times, especially to the poor.
• Political Neutrality: Serving all people fairly, without showing prejudice.
• Responsiveness to Public: Providing clear information, accessible services and policies.
• Nationalism and Patriotism: Loyalty to the Filipino people and ensuring the use of domestic resources.
• Commitment to Democracy: Adhering to democratic values, principles, and accountability.
• Simple Living: Leading a modest life, appropriate to the official's position and income.
• Proper Response to Requests: Timely and appropriate responses to correspondence and documents, with maximum three signatures, and making official documents accessible to the public.
• Prohibited Acts and Transactions: Avoidance of financial or material interest in transactions requiring official approval or outside employment conflict of interest.

Ethical Standards

• Malfeasance: Doing an activity that one is not authorized to perform.
• Misconduct: Intentional wrong activity, or disregarding rules.
• Misfeasance: Performing a legal action wrongly, or performing it with negligence or errors.
• Moonlighting: Working another job during duty hours, without permissions.
• Nonfeasance: Failing to perform a duty.
• Oppression: Exercising undue authority, cruelty, or severity.
• Violation of Law: Performing actions against the law.
• Dishonesty: Deliberately hiding the truth or distorting facts.
• Disloyalty to the Government: Acts against the government (overthrowing, or disloyalty).

Other Information

• Disclosure and/or Misuse of Confidential Information: Not using or releasing classified or confidential information acquired through official duties to serve personal interests or harm public interests.
• Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts: Not soliciting or accepting gifts in connection with official duties or operations affected by official functions, without exceptions for certain cases.

Test your knowledge of the ethical standards and conduct expected from public officials and employees. This quiz covers important definitions, such as what constitutes a gift and scenarios involving conflicts of interest. Ensure you understand the responsibilities tied to public service.