CFLM 1 2023 Mendoza.docx

CHARACTER FORMATION 1: NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM (CFLM 1) WHAT ARE VALUES? What's the Difference Between Ethics, Morals, and Values? Have you ever deemed someone's behavior to be unethical? Have you ever questioned their moral code or the values upon which they base their decisions? When our minds...

CHARACTER FORMATION 1: NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM (CFLM 1) WHAT ARE VALUES? What's the Difference Between Ethics, Morals, and Values? Have you ever deemed someone's behavior to be unethical? Have you ever questioned their moral code or the values upon which they base their decisions? When our minds wander to these places, the three terms -- ethics, morals, and values -- tend to get a bit murky. As a society, we tend to interchange the three. So, what's the difference between ethics, morals, and values? The difference is slight but it's there. Understanding the difference between the three will help you delve into your next novel with a greater understanding of each character. Values Values are the foundation of a person's ability to judge between right and wrong. Values include a deep-rooted system of beliefs. They have intrinsic worth but are not universally accepted. This system allows each individual to determine what should and shouldn't be. What Is Important or Valuable? For example, if someone's value system is founded upon honesty, they would probably make a proper judgment between cheating on a college entrance exam (wrong) and studying hard to ace a college entrance exam (right). Conversely, if someone valued achievement and success over honesty, that person may opt to cheat on the exam in order to achieve the desired result. This relates to which value is "worth more" to the individual. These fundamental beliefs are the barometer that goes on to guide a person's decisions. Values don't necessarily need to be "system-wide" in a group of people. Rather, they tend to be a personal, individual foundation that influences a particular person's behavior. Morals Morals are formed out of values. They're the actual system of beliefs that emerge out of a person's core values. Morals are specific and context-driven rules that govern a person's behavior. Because this system of beliefs is individually tailored to a person's life experience, it's subject to opinion. Amoral vs. Immoral Be careful with the terminology in this category. Sometimes, the words "amoral" and "immoral" are interchanged. However, they're quite different. If someone is amoral, they have no sense of right and wrong. They don't have the foundation that comes with a sound set of values. Meanwhile, if someone is immoral, you can be sure they know right from wrong. They're just choosing to do the wrong thing. A Moral Dilemma Given the personal nature of morals, someone might deem an action to be "good" even if it's breaking a law. For example, what if a daughter couldn't afford the life-saving medicine her dying mother needed but she, somehow, she had access to the storeroom where the medicine were housed? In this instance, her core values might tell her stealing is wrong. However, her morality would tell her she needs to protect her mother. As such, the daughter might end up doing the wrong thing (stealing, as judged by her values) for the right reasons (saving her mother, as judged by her morals). Ethics Finally, we have ethics. Ethics are the vehicle to our morals. They're our morals in action. Ethics enact the system we've developed in our moral code. As such, someone will behave ethically or unethically. For example, someone's ethics will prevent them from taking action and telling a bald-faced lie or stealing their mother-in-law's secret recipe for cornbread. This might seem like muddy water to you. The line between morals and ethics is so fine, it's easy to miss. Well, you're not alone. Encyclopedia Britannica considers "morals" and "ethics" to be interchangeable terms. However, the context in which they're used might provide further distinction. Professional Ethics We tend to link morals to matters of religion and spirituality. Meanwhile, ethics are closely linked to matters pertaining to medicine or law. We know doctors are held to a strict code of ethics when they swear the Hippocratic Oath. Similarly, an organization like PETA literally stands for "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals." Consider morals as the rulebook and ethics as the motivator that leads to proper or improper action. Sound Moral Judgment Sound moral judgment is rooted in strong values and acted upon by our ethics. It seems like the three are the same, but they're different enough to warrant a closer study. If you're writing a short story, you might want to approach your main character from this viewpoint. As you develop the conflict your main character will face, try to create a deep-rooted set of values. Consider where those values might have come from. Then, use their morality as the barometer in any decisions they have to make. STANDARD IDEAS OF VALUES What are Values? Values is something desirable, worth having, worth possessing, worth keeping and worth doing. Value is identical with good. Qualities, characteristics, or ideas about which we feel strongly. Our values affect our decisions, goals and behavior. A belief or feeling that someone or something is worthwhile. Values define what is of worth, what is beneficial, and what is harmful. Values are standards to guide your action, judgments, and attitudes. Example 1: You have been given a cheque for 1 million pesos to do whatever you like with it. What would you do with it? Conclusion: What and how you spend the money deals with everything about your values. Example 2: What you choose to do with your time also has everything to do with what you value. Why is there a need for values? The crucial answer is for the sake of survival, sanity, and peace of mind; and this explains why values are inseparable from life. Values are important because they guide our beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. We are not always aware of our values, but knowing what they are can help you more easily make decisions that are right for you, such as taking a job that has good opportunities for variety, change, and spontaneity or good opportunities for security and tenure. For instance, people who place great importance on stimulation in life are likely to seek exciting and new experiences across all aspects of life. They will look for exciting activities and be willing to take risks or change plans spontaneously, whether they are at work, with their family, or with their friends. In contrast, people who place great importance on security in life are likely to seek safety in their immediate environment and also safety and stability in the wider society. They are likely to avoid walking alone at night, look for stable employment, be concerned about the threat of terrorism and be in favor of preserving law and order in society. As you can imagine, people who place great importance on exciting and new experiences will find it difficult to understand the choices of people who place greater importance on security in life and vice versa. They are likely to find it difficult to predict each other’s choices, which may lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and distrust. Can Values be Taught? Yes. The family is the primary carrier of values. Values are passed on from parents and elders. The growing child imitates every actuation, speech, mannerism, disposition, expression, etc. of those around him. Moral Values are Caught, Not Taught By Thomas Kok Actually, a lot of moral values have been and are still being taught in schools. What more do we need to inculcate moral values in children? A few months ago, many teachers and students shared their comments (mostly negative) via the media on the teaching and learning of moral education in school. The general feeling was that students can only learn moral values or good behaviors from teachers, parents, and members of society who practice them. Simply put, moral values are not taught but caught. Students catch such moral values by seeing everyone practicing them rather than from the lessons in the classrooms. For example, if the student is told or taught not to smoke by their teachers or parents who are smokers, chances are the lesson will be futile. On the other hand, if the student sees them consistently living out what they “preach”, he or she might “catch” that moral value. It is the modeling of moral values that can be caught by the students. Even adults learn from practice. If a leader indulges in corruption, his underlings too will probably be corrupt. Incidentally, we should follow up with the “Stand Together National Kindness Week” campaign and make it a weekly or monthly project in schools so that students across the country will be reminded to make kindness and respect their way of life in and out of school. I would like to share an exemplary act of kindness that I saw recently near the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium. A mother was teaching her daughter to pick up rubbish as they walked around the stadium several times. They truly demonstrated that role modeling is the most effective way to help children internalize values. Adults are often not aware of the impact of such actions. For instance, if a principal or teacher preaches and practices respect and kindness to the students, surely the latter will do likewise with other people. Therefore, inculcating moral values is only effective and meaningful when we put words into action. We need to practice what we preach to our children. This involves all members of society working hand in hand to mold our children to be good and useful citizens. Are values subjective or objective? Both subjective and objective. Subjective because there should be a subject to notice, disclose, and recognize its being a value; Objective because there should be essential features inherent in a thing of value that allure and appeal to a subject. Are values permanent or changeable? Values are permanent, objective, and unchangeable. Carriers and transmitters of values are relative, subjective, and changeable. What are Filipino Values? These are the things Filipinos consider good, important, proper, suitable, worthy, right, acceptable, and desirable in life. TYPES OF VALUES TYPES OF VALUES 1. Appetitive Value - refers to the desirable nature of food and water that satisfies one’s hunger and thirst; also known as survival value 2. Sensuous/Sexual Value - This corresponds to sexual meaning in as much as sexual desire can only be satisfied by this value. It makes women and men work hard to the bones, to make a lot of sacrifices, to love, and to dream. 3. Aesthetic Value - This satisfies an individual’s aesthetic desire or feeling of beholding a beautiful thing or scenery, and appreciating the work of art. 4. Intellectual Value - This fulfills the individual’s intellectual desire. Being the only animal gifted with reasons, man desires to know. 5. Moral Value - relates to conduct or character viewed from the concept of right and wrong. “It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied”. – John Stuart Mill 6. Spiritual Value - corresponds to our spiritual feelings such as those marked or characterized by the highest qualities of the human mind 7. Value of the Holy - refers to the sacred and hallowed beliefs, some things which are the objects of worship or veneration; holy meant the divine or that which has sanctity directly from the absolute sphere. Examples. Value of cult Value of Religion Value of worship Value of sacrament Value of prayer Value of rosary Value of the mass Value of the church 8. Personal Value - refers to one’s own individual and exclusive value. Every person has his own value preferences depending upon one’s own interests and desires, concerns, goals, and aspirations. Examples. The value of worship The value of freedom This depends on their living conditions and growth in intellectual and moral awareness. 9. Psychological Value - suitable for appealing to an individual’s mind Examples: A book of principles Inspirational talk Presence of a friend A daughter's picture for an OFW 10. Sociological Value - pertains to the workings of human society where individuals form a continuous and regulatory association for mutual benefits and protection Examples: Interrelationships of individuals within the community Intermarriages among peoples Peace and order Cooperation Unity Fraternity 11. Cultural Value - refers to society’s own features of development, learned behavior patterns of any specific period, the training and refinement of mind, morals, or taste of a given people or community Examples: Respect for elders Kissing the forehead and hands of parents, uncles, or aunts. Bowing one’s head in greetings (“magandang umaga po”, “mano po”,“kumusta po kayo”) 12. Historical Value - pertains to or is concerned with treating events of history, like the historical account of momentous occurrences in a given country or people Examples. The granting of independence by the Americans. The world's famous EDSA I and EDSA II people power. The martyrdom of GOMBURZA, Jose Rizal, Ninoy Aquino, etc. (For them, Filipino is worth dying for...) 13. Behavioral Value - the manner of conducting oneself properly, of comporting oneself well, acting correctly, and of controlling oneself politely Examples: Self-control or Self-discipline Politeness or Courtesy Honesty Patience Diligence Fidelity and Sincerity Friendship Observing Golden Rule 14. Educational Value - things that have an instructive worth; informative, enlightening, educative, eye-opening, and mentally enriching. Examples: A class trip or excursion to landmarks (world-famed Rice Terraces in Sagada, Mount Province). A well-delivered speech about graft and corruption with corresponding proposed solutions. Watching a good movie or reading good books 15. Political Value - It is anything that has significance in politics, that is, in the science and art of government, or the administration and management of public or state affairs. Examples: Kinship or relationship either by consanguinity or affinity. Cultural values such as utang na loob, pakikisama, and compadrazgo. One’s popularity either as a movie star or as a basketball player. Competence, intelligence, educational attainment, achievements, performance 16. Sensational Value- things that produce great interest or excitement, like a sensational story or event Examples: Involves all attempts to make a thing, an event, an act, a story, or a film stimulating, electrifying, shocking, hair-raising, spine-boggling, astounding, marvelous, and wonderful. 17. Sentimental Value - pertains to anything that elicits sentimentality, emotional reaction, tender feeling, and sweet nostalgia, because of certain noble experiences associated with it; explains why people cannot give up or sell things which for them have sentimental value Examples: A ring – signifies one’s former sweetheart or spouse. Isetann, Quiapo Church, SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, Motels, and Hotels One’s friend THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713) NORMS OF CONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS. STATEMENTS AND DISCLOSURE PENALTIES What is REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713? It is an act establishing a code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees, to uphold the time-honored principle of public office being a public trust, granting incentives and rewards for exemplary service, enumerating prohibited acts and transactions, and providing penalties for violations thereof and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees." Section 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is the policy of the State to promote a high standard of ethics in public service. Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and loyalty, act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold public interest over personal interest. Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: (a) "Government" includes the National Government, the local governments, and all other instrumentalities, agencies or branches of the Republic of the Philippines including government-owned or controlled corporations, and their subsidiaries.lawphi1.net (b) "Public Officials" includes elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or temporary, whether in the career or non-career service, including military and police personnel, whether or not they receive compensation, regardless of amount. (c) "Gift" refers to a thing or a right to dispose of gratuitously, or any act or liberality, in favor of another who accepts it, and shall include a simulated sale or an ostensibly onerous disposition thereof. It shall not include an unsolicited gift of nominal or insignificant value not given in anticipation of, or in exchange for, a favor from a public official or employee. (d) Receiving any gift includes the act of accepting directly or indirectly, a gift from a person other than a member of his family or relative as defined in this Act, even on the occasion of a family celebration or national festivity like Christmas, if the value of the gift is neither nominal nor insignificant, or the gift is given in anticipation of, or in exchange for, a favor. (e) Loan covers both simple loan and commodatum as well as guarantees, financing arrangements, or accommodations intended to ensure its approval. (f) Substantial Stockholder means any person who owns, directly or indirectly, shares of stock sufficient to elect a director of a corporation. This term shall also apply to the parties to a voting trust. (g) Family of Public Officials or Employees means their spouses and unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of age. (h) Person includes natural and juridical persons unless the context indicates otherwise. (i) Conflict of Interest arises when a public official or employee is a member of a board, an officer, or a substantial stockholder of a private corporation or owner or has a substantial interest in a business, and the interest of such corporation or business, or his rights or duties therein, may be opposed to or affected by the faithful performance of official duty. (j) Divestment is the transfer of title or disposal of interest in a property by voluntarily, completely, and actually depriving or dispossessing oneself of his right or title to it in favor of a person or persons other than his spouse and relatives as defined in this Act. (k) Relatives refers to any and all persons related to a public official or employee within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, including bilas, inso, and balae. Section 4. Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees — (A) Every public official and employee shall observe the following as standards of personal conduct in the discharge and execution of official duties: (a) 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. (b) 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. (c) 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 at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety, and public interest. 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. (d) Political Neutrality — Public officials and employees shall provide service to everyone without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference. (e) Responsiveness to the Public — Public officials and employees shall extend prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by law or when required by the public interest, 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 whenever appropriate, encourage suggestions, simplify and systematize policy, rules, and procedures, avoid red tape and develop an understanding and appreciation of the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the country, especially in the depressed rural and urban areas. (f) 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. They shall endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion. (g) 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 the country above loyalty to persons or parties. (h) 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 displays of wealth in any form. (B) The Civil Service Commission shall adopt positive measures to promote (1) observance of these standards including the dissemination of information programs and workshops authorizing merit increases beyond regular progression steps, to a limited number of employees recognized by their office colleagues to be outstanding in their observance of ethical standards; and (2) continuing research and experimentation on measures which provide positive motivation to public officials and employees in raising the general level of observance of these standards. Section 7. Prohibited Acts and Transactions — In addition to acts and omissions of public officials and employees now prescribed in the Constitution and existing laws, the following shall constitute prohibited acts and transactions of any public official and employee and are hereby declared to be unlawful: (a) 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. (b) Outside employment and other activities related thereto — Public officials and employees during their incumbency shall not: (1) Own, control, manage or accept employment as an 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 that has a regular or pending official transaction with their office. These prohibitions shall continue to apply for a period of one (1) year after resignation, retirement, or separation from public office, except in the case of subparagraph (b) (2) above, but the professional concerned cannot practice his profession in connection with any matter before the office he used to be with, in which case the one-year prohibition shall likewise apply. (c) 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. (d) 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. As to gifts or grants from foreign governments, the Congress consents to: (i) The acceptance and retention by a public official or employee of a gift of nominal value tendered and received as a souvenir or mark of courtesy; (ii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of a gift in the nature of a scholarship or fellowship grant or medical treatment; or (iii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of travel grants or expenses for travel taking place entirely outside the Philippines (such as allowances, transportation, food, and lodging) of more than the nominal value if such acceptance is appropriate or consistent with the interests of the Philippines, and permitted by the head of office, branch or agency to which he belongs. The Ombudsman shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this subsection, including pertinent reporting and disclosure requirements. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or prohibit any educational, scientific, or cultural exchange programs subject to national security requirements. Section 8. Statements and Disclosure. Public officials and employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth, and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of age living in their households. (A) Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Financial Disclosure — All public officials and employees, except those who serve in an honorary capacity, laborers and casual or temporary workers, shall file under oath their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and a Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial Connections and those of their spouses and unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of age living in their households. The two documents 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; (c) all other assets such as investments, cash on hand or in banks, stocks, bonds, and the like; (d) liabilities, and; (e) all business interests and financial connections. The documents must be filed: (a) within thirty (30) days after assumption of office; (b) on or before April 30, of every year thereafter; and (c) within thirty (30) days after separation from the service. All public officials and employees required under this section to file the aforestated documents shall also execute, within thirty (30) days from the date of their assumption of office, the necessary authority in favor of the Ombudsman to obtain from all appropriate government agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, such documents as may show their assets, liabilities, net worth, and also their business interests and financial connections in previous years, including, if possible, the year when they first assumed any office in the Government. Husband and wife who are both public officials or employees may file the required statements jointly or separately. The Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and the Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial Connections shall be filed by: (1) Constitutional and national elective officials, with the national office of the Ombudsman; (2) Senators and Congressmen, with the Secretaries of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively; Justices, with the Clerk of Court of the Supreme Court; Judges, with the Court Administrator; and all national executive officials with the Office of the President; (3) Regional and local officials and employees, with the Deputy Ombudsman in their respective regions; (4) Officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, with the Office of the President, and those below said ranks, with the Deputy Ombudsman in their respective regions; and (5) All other public officials and employees, defined in Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, with the Civil Service Commission. (B) Identification and disclosure of relatives — It shall be the duty of every public official or employee to identify and disclose, to the best of his knowledge and information, his relatives in the Government in the form, manner, and frequency prescribed by the Civil Service Commission. (C) Accessibility of documents — (1) Any and all statements filed under this Act, shall be made available for inspection at reasonable hours. (2) Such statements shall be made available for copying or reproduction after ten (10) working days from the time they are filed as required by law. (3) Any person requesting a copy of a statement shall be required to pay a reasonable fee to cover the cost of reproduction and mailing of such statements, as well as the cost of certification. (4) Any statement filed under this Act shall be available to the public for a period of ten (10) years after receipt of the statement. After such period, the statement may be destroyed unless needed in an ongoing investigation. (D) Prohibited acts. — It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or use any statement filed under this Act for: (a) any purpose contrary to morals or public policy; or (b) any commercial purpose other than by news and communications media for dissemination to the general public. Section 11. Penalties (a) 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 fine not exceeding the equivalent of six (6) months' salary or suspension not exceeding one (1) year, or removal depending on the gravity of the offense after due notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency. If the violation is punishable by a heavier penalty under another law, he shall be prosecuted under the latter statute. Violations of Sections 7, 8, or 9 of this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding five (5) years, or a fine not exceeding five thousand pesos (P5,000), or both, and in the discretion of the court of competent jurisdiction, disqualification to hold public office. (b) Any violation hereof proven in a proper administrative proceeding shall be sufficient cause for removal or dismissal of a public official or employee, even if no criminal prosecution is instituted against him. (c) Private individuals who participate in conspiracy as co-principals, accomplices, or accessories, with public officials or employees, in violation of this Act, shall be subject to the same penal liabilities as to the public officials or employees and shall be tried jointly with them. (d) The official or employee concerned may bring an action against any person who obtains or uses a report for any purpose prohibited by Section 8 (D) of this Act. The Court in which such action is brought may assess such person a penalty in any amount not to exceed twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000.00). If another sanction hereunder or under any other law is heavier, the latter shall apply. SUMMARY The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713. As future public employees, civil servants, and public officials, let us maximize the following set of principles: Serving the Public Interest - Civil servants and public officials are expected to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in government, by demonstrating the highest standards of professional competence, efficiency, and effectiveness, upholding the Constitution and the laws, and seeking to advance the public good at all times; Transparency - Civil servants and public officials are expected to use powers and resources for public good, under government policy. They should be accountable for the decisions they make and prepared to justify their actions. Integrity - Civil servants and public officials are expected to make decisions and act solely in the public interest, without consideration of their private interests. Public employment being a public trust, the improper use of a public service position for private advantage is regarded as a serious breach of duty. Legitimacy - Civil servants and public officials are required to administer the laws, and to exercise administrative power on behalf of the Government, or other such authority. That power and authority should be exercised legitimately, impartially, and without fear or favor, for its proper public purpose as determined by the Parliament or their employer. Fairness - Civil servants and public officials should make decisions and act in a fair and equitable manner, without bias or prejudice, taking into account only the merits of the matter, and respecting the rights of affected citizens. Responsiveness - As agents and employees of the elected Government, Civil servants and public officials are required to serve the legitimate interests and needs of the Government, other civil servants, and all citizens, in a timely manner, with care, respect, and courtesy. Efficiency and Effectiveness - Civil servants and public officials are required to obtain the best value for public assets deployed in or through public management, and to avoid waste and extravagance in expenditure and the use of public assets. Flag of Philippines – Colors, Meaning, History The national flag of the Philippines consists of a bicolor blue and red with a white triangle at the hoist side. At the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight rays surrounded by three yellow five-pointed stars. This flag was adopted on June 12th, 1898 and it is celebrated every May 28th, during flag day. The flag is not only a reminder of the victory of the people in the battle of Alapan but also a symbol of a prosperous future. History of the Flag of the Philippines Similar to most countries, the Philippines has a history of using a variety of flags. For instance, the first flag recorded in history was the flag of the Tondo dynasty in 1570. This flag consisted of a red triangle extending from the hoist to the endpoint, and white background. The Tondo Dynasty was the first unified political state in the Philippines. However, in the Southern Philippines, the region was under the sultanate of Maguindanao and the flag for the area was yellow. In 1521, the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan began the long history of Spanish influence. In 1535, a new flag that featured a white background with the cross of Burgundy was hoisted. From 1730 to 1761, King Felipe V adopted a new flag that consisted of a white background and the royal coat of arms of Spain. When King Felipe abdicated, his grandson, Carlos III, gained the throne and altered the flag by removing the shield and replacing it with an oval. In 1762, the British invaded Manila. Their arrival sparked a revolt in Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Ilocos Sur north of Manila. Some Chinese people aided the rebels. At the time, the British East India Company adopted a new banner as the de-facto flag. This flag was an alternating red and white horizontal flag with a union jack at the upper left corner. The flag was in use from 1762 to 1764. However, in 1763, Spain and England signed a treaty that returned the Philippines to Spanish rule. In 1785, Spain changed their flag to a red-yellow-red striped flag with a coat of arms on the yellow stripe. The coat of arms consisted of a crowned oval-shaped insignia that was split into half red and half white. The red portion consisted of a golden tower and the white piece had a red lion. Later, when Spain became a republic in 1873, the crown on the insignia was removed. A few years later, in 1897, the Philippines gained independence, and the country adopted a revolution flag with a red background with a red-faced white sun. However, this flag was in use for only a year. When President Emilio Aguinaldo came to power, he ordered the design of a new flag. The official flag consisted of a blue and red bi-color with a white triangle. At the center of the triangle was a mythical-faced golden sun. Moreover, there were three five-pointed stars at each corner of the triangle. Also, at the center of the flag was the phrase, “Fuerzas Expedicionarias del Norte de Luzón,” which means “Expeditionary forces of Northern Luzon.” Other words that were embroidered on the flag are Libertad, Justicia, and Ygualidad (Liberty, Justice, and Equality, which encompassed laurel branches. In 1936, the white triangle on the flag was elongated. In 1908, the country came under the control of the United States, after the defeat of the Spanish in the Spanish-American war. The Philippine flag was banned and the U.S flag was adopted. This flag consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white and blue rectangles in the canton containing 50 stars. Each star on the American flag represents a state. Initially, the flag had 48 stars, but in 1912, Arizona and New Mexico were included. With this new power in place, the Philippines had to fight for independence from the Spanish as well as from the Americans. In 1919, a modified version of the flag of the Philippines was reinstated. This flag consisted of a darker blue band with no face on the sun. Later, the official flag of the Philippines was abandoned from 1942 to 1943, following the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. However, in 1943, the Japanese relinquished control back to the native people. The bicolored flag was reinstated with a modified bronze-colored eight-rayed sun and stars. The official flag was adopted after the re-institution of the second republic from 1946 to 1985. In 1985, there was a debate concerning the color of the original flag, and the blue stripe of the flag was at the time changed to sky blue. The upsurge of a people’s power revolution led to the adoption of a flag with a dark blue stripe. In 1998, the color of the blue line was changed to royal blue and has remained the same since then. What is the meaning of the colors of the Flag of the Philippines? Colors The flag of the Philippines played a significant part in the fight for independence against the Spaniards. Although the country did not have a national flag at the time, the revolutionary group chose the current flag to represent the country. Initially, the white triangle symbolizes liberty. The golden stars and the golden sun represented the three central locations of the Philippines, which included the Luzon islands in the North, Visayan in the South, and the main southern island of Mindanao. The eight rays of the sun represented the eight provinces in which the anti-Spanish revolt had begun. The color blue expressed the “willingness to sacrifice oneself for freedom,” while red represented courage. Presently, the precise meaning of the colors is as follows: White: Liberty, fraternity, equality Blue: Peace, truth, justice Red: Patriotism and valor Other unofficial interpretations of the colors claim that the white triangle represents a longing for change. Moreover, these accounts claim the colors red, white, and blue symbolizes the gratitude of the Philippines to the U.S for their disinterested help in the country’s fight for independence. Emblem At the center of the white triangle is a golden sun with eight rays, accompanied by three stars. The “three stars and the sun” are a symbol of the Katipuneros revolutionaries who fought for independence. The sun symbolizes unity, freedom, democracy, and sovereignty. Each of its rays represents a province that played a part in the 1896 Philippine Revolution. These provinces include Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Morong, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija. Another interpretation states that the rays represent the first eight states in the country that were declared under martial law during the first Philippine Revolution. Moreover, the three five-pointed stars are a symbol of the three main islands where the revolution started, which are Luzon, Mindanao, and the Visayas. Shape The flag consists of a length to width ratio of 1:2. The width of the flag is equal to the length of the sides of the triangle. Each star is placed in a manner that one of its tips points to the vertex at which it is positioned. The sun appears 14 units from the hoist. The diameter of the central disk is 9 units, with the longer rays having a length of 5 units and the shorter rays at 4 units. The golden sun does not appear at the center. Instead, it is located slightly to the right. The sun is sectioned into 16 portions, each at 22.5 degrees (the extension of the rays and the space between the beams). Each of the stars is drawn on an imaginary circle with the center appearing at 7 units from the triangle’s apices. The diameter of each circle of the star is 5 units. Interesting Facts about the Flag of the Philippines The flag was designed by Emilio Aguinaldo, a military leader, revolutionary, and politician. He came up with the idea for the flag while he was exiled in Hong Kong in 1897. The flag was formally unfurled during the proclamation of Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, by President Emilio Aguinaldo. This was after the Philippine Revolutionary Army defeated the Spanish forces in the Battle at Alapan, Imus, Cavite. There was a proposal to change the flag on June 15, 1995, when President Fidel Ramos suggested the incorporation of a crescent moon on the flag to represent Filipino Muslims. However, this proposal was declined. It is prohibited to hoist the flag at nightclubs. The law stipulates that a worn-out flag should be solemnly burned, and if a flag begins to show signs of wear and tear, it should be replaced immediately. The official flag can indicate a state of war when flown upside down with the red field is at the top. For instance, on February 4, 1899, during the 1899 to 1913 Philippine-American War, it was officially flown upside down. Additionally, during the Japanese attack on the Philippines in December 1941, the flag was used to indicate a state of hostilities. SUMMARY The Philippine flag symbolizes the vast history of our country, we are honoring our flag by attending Flag Ceremonies every Monday with our college employees and administrators. Criminology students must be disciplined and must learn how to respect our flag as the next law enforcers of our country. What has been learned in this module should not have remained as part of the study/lesson but we have to put it into practice. We have to remember that we have to stop whenever we pass by a school that is having its flag ceremony. When we are watching a movie and the national anthem is played, We have to stand and pause. These are just simple ways of showing respect for the flag. I am leaving you this question, respecting the national flag is a basic lesson taught even during elementary days, but do we know why we should respect it? FLAG AND HERALDIC CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Part 1 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491 THE NATIONAL FLAG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM THE NATIONAL MOTTO Explanatory Note: This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 4199 during the Fourteenth Congress where it was approved by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate. It was again re-filed during the 15th Congress as House Bill No. 603 where it was again approved by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture and consolidated into House Bill No. 465, approved on 2nd reading, approved on 3rd reading, and was transmitted to the Senate where it was not acted upon. It was re-filed during the 16th Congress where it was again approved by the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court has also held that the flag is an emblem of national sovereignty, national unity and cohesion, and freedom and liberty which it and the Constitution guarantee and protect. This law imposes on violators a penalty of a fine of P5,000.00 to P20,000.00 or imprisonment of one year or both. However, despite the existence of such law, many Filipinos do not accord respect to our Philippine Flag and National Anthem. This violation usually happens in cinemas where moviegoers do not even stand up when the national anthem is being played. Any practice or ritual that reminds us of something we keep forgetting, probably because we want to, which is our national identity, is worth enforcing, apart from retaining. In view of the foregoing, this bill seeks to increase the penalties for disrespectful conduct during the playing of the Philippine National Anthem. Republic Act No. 8491 Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Tenth Congress Third Regular Session Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday the twenty-eighth day of July, nineteen hundred and ninety-seven. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491 AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF-ARMS, AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE PHILIPPINES. Be it enacted by the Senate and Home of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. Short Title — This act shall be known as the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.” SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - Reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity. The heraldic items and devices shall seek to manifest the national virtues and to inculcate in the minds and hearts of our people a just pride in their native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem, and the proper use of the national motto, coat-of-arms, and other heraldic items and devices. SECTION 3. Definition of Terms — Whenever used in this Act, the term: a. “Military” shall mean all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines including the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Bureau of Fire Protection; b. “Festoon” shall mean to hang in a curved shape between two points as a decoration; c. “Flag” shall mean the Philippine National Flag, unless stated otherwise; d. “Fly” shall mean the part of the flag outside the hoist or length; e. “Symbol” shall mean any conventional sign which reveals man’s achievement and heroism (for orders and decorations), identification, authority, and a sign of dignity (for coat-of-arms, logo, and insignia); f. “Half-Mast” shall mean lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff; g. “Hoist” shall mean the part of the flag nearest the staff or the canvass to which the halyard is attached; h. “Inclement Weather” shall mean that a typhoon signal is raised in the locality; i. “National Anthem” shall mean the Philippine National Anthem’ j. “Official Residences” shall mean Malacañang, and other government-owned structures where the President resides, and other structures occupied by the Philippine Consulate or Embassies abroad; k. “Places of Frivolity” shall mean places of hilarity marked by or providing boisterous merriment or recreation; and l. “Institute” shall mean the National Historical Institute. CHAPTER 1 THE NATIONAL FLAG A. Design of the National Flag SECTION 4. The flag of the Philippines shall be blue, white, and red with an eight-rayed golden-yellow sun and three five-pointed stars, as consecrated and honored by the people. B. Hoisting and Display of the National Flag SECTION 5. The flag shall be displayed in all public buildings, official residences, public plazas, and institutions of learning every day throughout the year. SECTION 6. The flag shall be permanently hoisted, day and night throughout the year, in front of the following: at Malacanang Palace; the Congress of the Philippines building; Supreme Court building; the Rizal Monument in Luneta, Manila; Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite; Barasoain Shrine in Malolos, Bulacan; the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Libingan ng Mga Bayani; Mausoleo de Los Veteranos de la Revolución; all International Ports of Entry and all other places as may be designated by the Institute. The flag shall be properly illuminated at night. SECTION 7. The flag shall also be displayed in private buildings and residences or raised in the open flag-staffs in front of said buildings every April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan); May 1 (Labor Day); May 28 (National Flag Day) to June 12 (Independence Day); last Sunday of August (National Heroes Day); November 30 (Bonifacio Day); and December 30 (Rizal Day); and on such other days as may be declared by the President and/or local chief executives. The flag may also be displayed throughout the year in private buildings or offices or raised in the open on flag-staffs in front of private buildings: Provided that they observe flag-raising ceremonies in accordance with the rules and regulations to be issued by the Office of the President. SECTION 8. All government agencies and instrumentalities, and local government offices, government-owned corporations, and local government units enjoy observing flag day with appropriate ceremonies. Socio-civic groups, non-government organizations, and the private sector are exhorted to cooperate in making the celebrations a success. SECTION 9. The flag shall be flown on merchant ships of the Philippine registry of more than one thousand (1000) gross tons and on all naval vessels. Onboard naval vessels, the flag shall be displayed on the flagstaff at the stern when the ship is at anchor. The Flag shall be hoisted to the gaff at the after mast when the ship is at sea. SECTION 10. The flag, if flown from a flagpole, shall have its blue field on top in time of peace and the red field on top in time of war; if in a hanging position, the blue field shall be to the right (left of the observer) in the rime of peace, and the red field to the right (left of the observer) in time of war. The flagpole staff must be straight and slightly tapering at the top. SECTION 11. If planted on the ground, the flagpole shall be at a prominent place and shall be of such height as would give the flag commanding position in relation to the buildings in the vicinity. If attached to a building, the flagpole shall be on top of its roof or anchored on a sill projecting at an angle upward. If on stage or platform or government office, the flag shall be at the left (facing the stage) or the left of the office upon entering. SECTION 12. When the Philippine flag is flown with another flag, the flags, if both are national flags, must be flown on separate staffs of the same height and shall be of equal size. The Philippine flag shall be hoisted first and lowered last. If the other flag is not a national flag, it may be flown in the same lineyard as the Philippine flag but below the latter, and it cannot be of greater size than the Philippine flag. SECTION 13. When displayed with another flag, the Philippine flag shall be on the right of the other flag. If there is a line of other flags, the Philippine flag shall be in the middle of the line. When carried in a parade with flags, which are not national flags, the Philippine flag shall be in front of the center of the line. SECTION 14. A flag worn out through wear and tear shall not be thrown away. It shall be solemnly burned to avoid misuse or desecration. The flag shall be replaced immediately when it begins to show signs of wear and tear. SECTION 15. The flag shall be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. It shall be on the mast at the start of official office hours, shall remain flying throughout the day. SECTION 16. The flag may be displayed: a. Inside or outside a building or on stationary flagpoles. If the flag is displayed indoors on a flagpole, it shall be placed at the left of the observer as one enters the room; b. From the top of a flagpole, which shall be at a prominent place or a commanding position in relation to the surrounding buildings; c. From a staff projecting upward from the window sill, canopy, balcony, or facade of a building. d. In a suspended position from a rope extending from a building to pole erected away from the building; e. Flat against the wall vertically with the sun and stars on top; and f. Hanging in a vertical position across a street, with the blue field pointing east, if the road is heading south or north, or pointing north if the road is heading east or west. The flag shall not be raised when the weather is inclement. If already raised, the flag shall not be lowered. SECTION 17. The flag shall be hoisted to the top briskly and lowered ceremoniously. The flag shall never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, flood, water, or other objects. After being lowered, the flag shall be handled and folded solemnly as part of the ceremony. C. Conduct of Flag Raising Ceremony SECTION 18. All government offices and educational institutions shall henceforth observe the flag-raising ceremony every Monday morning and the flag-lowering ceremony every Friday afternoon. The ceremony shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the Philippine National Anthem. SECTION 19. The office of the President upon the recommendation of the Institute shall issue rules and regulations for the proper conduct of the flag ceremony. SECTION 20. The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo. SECTION 21. During the flag-raising ceremony, the assembly shall stand in formation facing the flag. At the moment the first note of the anthem is heard, everyone in the premises shall come to attention; moving vehicles shall stop. All persons present shall place their right palms over their chests, those with hats shall uncover, while those in military, scouting, security guard, and citizens military training uniforms shall give salute prescribed by their regulations, which salute shall be completed upon the last note of the anthem. The assembly shall sing the Philippine national anthem, accompanied by a band, available, and at the first note, the flag shall be raised briskly. The same procedure shall be observed when the flag is passing in review or in the parade. SECTION 22. During the flag lowering, the flag shall be lowered solemnly and slowly so that the flag shall be down the mast at the sound of the last note of the anthem. Those in the assembly shall observe the same deportment or shall observe the same behavior as for the flag-raising ceremony. D. Half-Mast SECTION 23. The flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all buildings and places where it is displayed, as provided for in this Act, on the day of the official announcement of the death of any of the following officials: a. The President or a former President, for ten (10) days; b. The Vice-President, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for seven (7) days; and c. Other persons to be determined by the Institute, for any period less than seven (7) days. The flag shall be flown at half-mast on all the buildings and places where the decedent was holding office, on the day of death until the day of interment of an incumbent member of the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Senate or the House of Representatives, and such other persons as may be determined by the Institute. The flag when flown at half-mast shall be first hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the half-mast position. The flag shall again be raised briskly to the peak before it is lowered for the day. E. Casket SECTION 24. The flag may be used to cover the caskets of the honored dead of the military, veterans of previous wars, national artists, and civilians who have rendered distinguished service to the nation, as may be determined by the local government unit concerned. In such cases, the flag shall be placed such that the white triangle shall be at the head and the blue portion shall cover the right side of the caskets. The flag shall not be lowered to the grave or allowed to touch the ground, but shall be folded solemnly and handed over to the heirs of the deceased. F. Pledge to the Flag SECTION 25. The following shall be the Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag: Ako ay Filipino Buong katapatang nanunumpa Sa watawat ng Pilipinas At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag Na may dangal, katarungan, at kalayaan Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang Maka-Diyos Maka-tao Makakalikasan at Makabansa Such pledge shall be recited while standing with the right hand palm open raised shoulder high. Individuals whose faith or religious beliefs prohibit them from making such a pledge must nonetheless show full respect when the pledge is being rendered by standing at attention. G. Flag Days SECTION 26. The period from May 28 to June 12 of each year is declared as Flag Days, during which period all offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of government, business establishments, institutions of learning, and private homes are enjoined to display the flag. H. Specifications of the National Flag SECTION 27. The flag shall have the following proportions. The width of the flag, 1; the length of the flag, 2; and the sides of the white triangle, SECTION 28. The technical specifications shall be as follows: The blue color shall bear Cable No. 80173; the white color, Cable No. 80001, the red color, Cable No. 80108; and the golden yellow, Cable No. 80068. SECTION 29. In order to establish uniform criteria in the making of our national flag and to guarantee its durability by the use of quality materials, the following standards and procedures shall be observed: a. All requisitions for the purchase of the Philippine National Flag must be based on strict compliance with the design, color, craftsmanship, and material requirements of the government. b. All submitted samples of flags by accredited suppliers offered for purchase for government use shall be evaluated as to design, color, and craftsmanship specifications by the Institute, through its Heraldry and Display Section, which shall stamp its approval or disapproval on the canvass reinforcement of the flag sample submitted. The samples shall be sent to the Institute by the requisitioning office, not by the flag supplier; and c. The Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) or the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall evaluate the quality of the material of all flag samples and certify whether the fabric for the blue, white, red, and golden yellow color including the can