Chapter 2: Professional Regulation Commission Oath and Ethical Standards PDF

**CHAPTER II** **PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMISSION OATH AND PHILIPPINE REGISTERED CRIMINOLOGIST CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS.** **The Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018 - Sec. 19 Oath** -- all successful candidates of the licensure examination shall take their oath of professi...

**CHAPTER II** **PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMISSION OATH AND PHILIPPINE REGISTERED CRIMINOLOGIST CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS.** **The Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018 - Sec. 19 Oath** -- all successful candidates of the licensure examination shall take their oath of profession in person before the Board or any of its members, and with the APO in an oath-taking ceremony held for such purpose (RA. NO. 11131) \- Any person authorized by law many administer oath to any successful examinees only upon membership of the APO (Accredited Professional Organization) prior to entering the practice of the profession - ***KRIMINOLOGO*** tagalog of criminology **Professional Regulation Commission Oath** **Professional Conduct vs Ethical Standards** **Professional Conduct** - Professional conduct is the field of regulation of members of professional bodies, either acting under statutory or contractual powers - Professional conduct is behavior that meets or exceeds ethical expectations for a given profession **Ethical Standards** Ethical standards shall refer to established and generally accepted moral values These are principles that when followed, promote values such as trust, good behavior, fairness, and/or kindness. Ethical standards are a set of principles established by the founders of the organization to communicate its underlying moral values \- Examples: responsibility, honesty, transparency or fairness. **Code of Good Governance for the Profession in the Philippines** This Code is adopted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the 42Professional Regulatory Boards to cover an environment of good governance in which all Filipino professionals shall perform their tasks. While each profession may adopt and enforce its own code of good governance and code of ethics, it is generally recognized that there is a GENERAL COMMONALITY among the various codes. This Code which covers the common principles underlying the codes of various professions could be used by all professionals who face critical ethical questions in their work. **General Principle of Professional Conduct** Professionals are required not only to have an ethical commitment, a personal resolve to act ethically, but also have both ethical awareness and ethical competency. *[Ethical awareness]* refers to the ability to discern between right and wrong, while *[Ethical competency]* pertains to the ability to engage in sound moral reasoning and consider carefully the implications of alternative actions. ***7 Specific Principle of Professional Conduct*** 1. Service to Others - Professionals are committed to a life of service to others. - They protect life, property, and public welfare. - To serve others, they shall be prepared for heroic sacrifice and genuine selflessness in carrying out their professional duties even at the expense of personal gain. 2. Integrity and Objectivity - To maintain and broaden public confidence, professionals shall perform their responsibilities with the highest sense of integrity and imbued with nationalism and spiritual values. - In the performance of any professional service, they shall at all times, main objectivity, be free of conflicts of interest, and refrain from engaging in any activity that would prejudice their abilities to carry out their duties ethically. - They SHALL AVOID making any representation that would likely cause a reasonable person to misunderstand or to be deceived. 3. Professional Competence - In providing professional services, a certain level of competence is necessary, i.e., knowledge, technical skills, attitudes, and experience. - Professionals shall, therefore, undertake only those professional services that they can reasonably deliver with professional competence. - Corollary to this, it is their express obligation to keep up with new knowledge and techniques in their field, continually improve their skills and upgrade their level of competence and take part in a lifelong continuing education program. 4. Solidarity and Teamwork - Each profession shall nurture and support one organization for all its members - Through a deep spirit of solidarity, each member should put the broader interest of the profession above one's personal ambition and preference. - Through teamwork within a cohesive professional organization, each member shall effectively observe ethical practices and pursue continuing professional development as well as deepen one's social and civic responsibility. 5. Social and Civic Responsibility - Professionals shall always carry out their professional duties with due consideration of the broader interest of the public. - They shall, therefore, serve their clients/employers and the publics with professional concern and in a manner consistent with their responsibilities to society. - As responsible Filipino citizens, they shall actively contribute to the attainment of the country's national objectives. 6. Global Competitiveness - Every professional shall remain open to challenges of a more dynamic interconnected world. - He or she shall rise up to global standards and maintain levels of professional practices fully aligned with global best practices. 7. Equality of All Professions - All professionals shall treat their colleagues with respect and shall strive to be fair in their dealings with one another. - No one group of professionals is superior or above others. - All professionals perform an equally important, yet distinct, service to society - In the eyes of the PRC, all professions are equal and, therefore, every one shall treat one other professionals with respect and fairness **PHILIPPINE REGISTERED CRIMINOLOGIST** **PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS** **CODE OF ETHICS FOR REGISTERED CRIMINOLOGISTS** In the Philippines, Criminology is considered as a profession as mandated by Republic Act Number 6506 otherwise known as An Act Creating the Board of Examiners for Criminologists in the Philippines and subsequently amended by Republic Act Number 11131 otherwise known as The Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018. Consequently, Criminology professionals must also adhere to specific professional standards and ethics. A Bachelor of Science in Criminology graduate who passed the licensure examination must always remember that his or her profession is a Criminologist regardless of his or her employment in any of the law enforcement agencies, correctional agencies, security industries or teaching in the academe. **What is Republic Act 11131?** *REPUBLIC ACT No. 11131* *AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF CRIMINOLOGY PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6506, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS \"AN ACT CREATING THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR CRIMINOLOGISTS IN THE PHILIPPINES\"* ***Article 1*** **Section 1.** *Title*. - This Act shall be known as \"The Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018\". **Section 5.** *Scope of Practice.* - The practice of criminology shall include, but shall not be limited to, acts or activities performed: \(a) In line with the practice of profession or occupation as a law enforcement administrator, executive, adviser, consultant, officer, investigator, agent or employee in any private or government agencies performing law enforcement and quasi-police functions at the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Provincial Jail, the Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR), the Probation and Parole Administration (PPA), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Bureau of Customs (BoC), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), other government and private banks, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC), the Sea and Air Marshalls, the VIP Security, Airport and Seaport Police, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), and other intelligence service or agencies of the government exercising similar functions; \(b) In line with the practice of teaching profession such as those performed by a professor, instructor or teacher in any university, college or school duly recognized by the government of any of the following professional and component subjects of the criminology program: (1) Criminal Jurisprudence and Procedure; (2) Criminalistics; (3) Law Enforcement Administration; (4) Crime Detection and Investigation; (5) Correctional Administration; and (6) Criminal Sociology and Ethics, and other technical and specialized subjects in the criminology curriculum provided by the CHED; \(c) As a technician, examiner/criminalist, or specialist in dactyloscopy, questioned document, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), lie detection, firearms identification, forensic photography, forensic chemistry and other scientific crime detection and investigation; \(d) As a correctional administrator, executive, supervisor, or officer in any rehabilitation, correctional, and penal institution or facility, and in any community-based corrections, and rehabilitation agencies and/or programs; \(e) As a counsellor, consultant, adviser or researcher in any government or private agency on any aspect of criminological research or project involving the causes of crime, children in conflict with the law, treatment of offenders, police operations, law enforcement administration, scientific criminal investigation or public safety and national security administration; and \(f) As a private investigator, administrator, consultant or agent, or detective in any private security and investigation agency organized under the laws of the Philippines. ***\ Article III*** **Section 13.** *Passing of Licensure Examination Requirements*. - Except as otherwise specifically allowed under this Act, applicants for registration for the practice of criminology shall be required to pass a licensure examination as provided for in this Act, in such places and dates as the Commission may designate in the resolution thereof on the Master Schedules for all licensure examinations in accordance with Section 7(d) of Republic Act No. 8981. **Section 14.** *Qualifications of an Applicant for the Licensure Examination.* - An applicant for the licensure examination for criminologist shall satisfactorily prove that one possesses the following qualifications: \(a) Must be a citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose country/state has reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of criminology; \(b) Must be of good moral character, good reputation and of sound mind and body certified by the school where he/she graduated and the barangay where he/she lives, unless the examinee is a foreign national a certification from any professional of good standing will do; \(c) Must hold a bachelor\'s degree in criminology duly accredited by the CHED and conferred by a school/college/university duly authorized by the government or its equivalent degree obtained by either a Filipino or foreign citizen from an institution of learning in a foreign country/state: Provided, That it is duly recognized and/or accredited by the CHED; \(d) Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of competent jurisdiction; and \(e) Those who failed five (5) times whether consecutive or cumulative in the criminologist licensure examination, must present a certification issued by a reputable institution duly recognized by the CHED that such applicant has satisfactorily completed a refresher course in criminology. **Section 15.** *Subjects for Licensure Examination*. - The licensure examination for criminologists shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: Subjects Relative Weights  The Board, in consultation with the APO and the academe and subject to the approval of the Commission, may revise or exclude any of the subjects with their corresponding ratings and their syllabi, and add new ones as the need arises to conform with technological changes brought about by developing trends in the profession. However, the Board may change or revise any of the above subjects in the event the CHED shall correspondingly change the curriculum prescribed for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Criminology. In the conduct of the examination, the Board, in its discretion, may give practical and field examinations in each subject, as it may deem fit. **Section 17.** *Rating in the Licensure Examination*. - To pass the licensure examination for criminologist, a candidate must obtain a weighted average rating of seventy-five percent (75%) with no grade less than sixty percent (60%) in any given subject. In case the examinee obtains a weighted average rating of seventy-five percent (75%) but, has a grade below sixty percent (60%) in any of the subjects, the result of the examinee shall be deferred, and be required to retake that particular subject/s. The deferred examinee shall only be allowed to retake once within two (2) years from the date of the examination, and shall be required to obtain a grade not lower than eighty percent (80%) on the subject, to be considered to have passed the licensure examination. If the examinee failed to retake after the lapse of two (2) years or failed to get the passing mark of eighty percent (80%), the examinee shall retake all the board subjects. Any examinee who failed three (3) or more board subjects shall be deemed to have failed the board examination. **Section 19.** *Oath.* - All successful candidates of the licensure examination shall take their oath of profession in person before the Board or any of its members, and with the APO in an oath-taking ceremony held for such purpose. Any person authorized by law may administer oath to any successful examinees only upon membership of the APO prior to entering the practice of the profession. **Section 20.** *Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card.* - A certificate of registration shall be issued to those who shall register, subject to payment of fees prescribed by the Commission. It shall bear the signatures of the Chairperson and the Commissioners of the Commission and the Chairperson and members of the Board, stamped with the official seal of the Commission and of the Board, certifying that the person named therein is entitled to practice the criminology profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. It shall remain in full force and effect until withdrawn, suspended or revoked in accordance with this Act. A professional identification card bearing the registration number and date, its validity, and expiry duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission shall likewise be \^issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee. It shall be reissued after every three (3) years upon payment of the prescribed fees, prescribed units earned in the CPD, and certified by the APO as active member. **Section 22.** *Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit* - The Board shall have the power, upon notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend the certificate of registration of a registered criminologist or to cancel a temporary/special permit granted to foreign criminologist for the commission of any of the following acts: \(a) Violation of any provision of this Act, its IRR, the Code of Ethics, the Code of Good Governance, or policy of the Board and/or the Commission; \(b) Conviction of a crime with finality involving moral turpitude; \(c) Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining one\'s certificate of registration, professional identification card or temporary/special permit; \(d) Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance resulting to death or injury of a person, or damage to property; \(e) Nonrenewal of the professional identification card for a period of six (6) years with the PRC without justifiable cause; \(f) Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered criminologist by allowing the use of one\'s certificate of registration and/or professional identification card or temporary/special permit; \(g) Illegally practicing the profession during the suspension from the practice thereof; \(h) Addiction to drugs or alcohol impairing one\'s ability to practice the profession or a declaration by a court of competent jurisdiction that the registrant is of unsound mind; and \(i) Noncompliance with the CPD and APO requirements, unless one is exempted therefrom, for the renewal of the professional identification card. The Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise or exclude or add new ones as the need arises subject to approval by the Commission. Any person, firm or association may file charge/s in accordance with the provision of this section against any registrant, and the Board may investigate the commission of any of the abovementioned causes. Affidavit-complaint shall be filed together with the affidavits of witnesses and other documentary evidence with the Board through the Legal and Investigation Office. The conduct of an investigation motu proprio shall be embodied in a formal charge to be signed by at least majority of the members of the Board. The rules on administrative investigation issued by the Commission shall govern the hearing or investigation, subject to applicable provisions of this Act, Republic Act No. 8981 and the Rules of Court. **Section 23.** *Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of Lost or Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card or Temporary/Special Permit* - The Board may, upon a verified petition, reinstate or reissue a revoked certificate of registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the period for revocation, which is the date of surrender of the certificate and/or the professional identification card if still valid to the Board and/or the Commission. The petitioner shall prove to the Board that one has valid reason/s to practice anew the profession. In the granting of the petition, the Board shall issue a Board resolution, subject to approval by the Commission. A certificate of registration, professional identification card or temporary/special permit that has been declared lost may be reissued in accordance with the rules thereon and upon payment of the prescribed fees. **Section 25.**  *Renewal of Professional Identification Card.* - The professional identification card shall be renewed only upon the completion of the prescribed minimum units of the CPD program by the registrant from the APO or any accredited provider authorized by the Commission. ***Article V*** **Section 34.** *Privileges of Registered Criminologists.* - All registered criminologists shall be exempt from taking any other entrance or qualifying government or civil service examinations and shall be considered civil service eligible to the following government positions, among others: (1) Dactylographer; (2) Ballistician; (3) Questioned Document Examiner; (4) Forensic Photographer; (5) Polygraph Examiner; (6) Probation Officer; (7) Parole Officer; (8) Special Investigator; (9) Special Agent; (10) Investigative Agent; (11) Intelligence Agent; (12) Law Enforcement Evaluation Officer; (13) National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Inspector; (14) Traffic Operation Officer; (15) Associate Graft Investigation Officer; (16) Special Police Officer; (17) Safekeeping Officer; (18) Sheriff; (19) Security Officer; (20) Criminal Investigator; (21) Warden; (22) Reformation Officer; (23) Firefighter; (24) Fire Marshall; (25) Jail Officer up to the rank of Jail Superintendent; (26) Police Officer up to the rank of Police Superintendent and other law enforcement agencies, and agencies under the Criminal Justice System. **Section 36.** *Lateral Entry of Registered Criminologists.* - Registered criminologists who are not in the government service shall be eligible and given preference for appointment via lateral entry as Police, Fire, and Jail Inspectors or its equivalent in the PDEA, NBI, and other law enforcement agencies: Provided, That they possess the general qualifications for appointment as provided in the existing laws on appointment of Police Officers in the PNP, BJMP, BFP, PDEA, or NBI: Provided, further, That those who are already in the police, fire, and jail service as non-commissioned officers and who are already registered and licensed criminologists shall be given preference for lateral entry. Approved: November 8, 2018 **(Sgd.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE** President of the Philippines **CANON OF ETHICS FOR REGISTERED CRIMINOLOGIST** ***Article I*** **PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF REGISTERED CRIMINOLOGIST** A license Criminologist has the following obligations to perform; a. The primary responsibility of every person admitted to the practice of Criminology as a Registered Criminologist is to bear faithful allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and be loyal to his profession. They shall accept as a sacred obligation and responsibility as citizens to support the Constitution of the Philippines and as a Registered Criminologist to defend the principles of liberty as defined in the Constitution and Laws. As a Registered Criminologist, they shall strive to improve their effectiveness by diligent study and sincere attention to improvement and welcome the opportunity to disseminate practical and useful information relating to matters accruing to the benefit of public safety and welfare. ***Article II*** **LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY** a. To effectively perform his or her mandate as a practicing criminologist, he or she is cloth with authority. However, he or she must always be mindful of the limitation of such authority. b. The first duty of a criminologist as upholder of the law is to know its bounds upon him, be aware of limitations and prescriptions and recognize the system of government that gives to no man group or institution absolute power. He must ensure that he is prime defender of that system and as such must never pervert its character. c. They shall in the performance of their duty be just, impartial and reasonable, never according anyone more preferential treatment than another. They shall recognize the limitation of their authority and at no time use the power of their profession for personal advantage. ***Article III*** **PRIVATE CONDUCT OF A REGISTERED CRIMINOLOGIST** Aside from adhering to professional conduct, a person practicing the Criminology profession is also expected to conform to a specific behavior in his or her private life. The public does not distinguish whether an act is official or private. Hence it will always impact on the entire Criminology profession. a\. The Registered Criminologist must be mindful of his special identification by the public as an upholder of the law. He must never be lax in conduct or manner in private life, express disrespect for the law, nor seek to gain special privilege that would be reflective upon the profession. He must so conduct his private life that the public will regard him as an example of stability fidelity and morality. b. He must strive to elevate the standing of the profession in the public mind, strengthen public confidence in law enforcement, develop and maintain complete support and cooperation of the public and ensure the effectiveness by encouraging complete cooperation of members for their mutual benefit. ***Article IV*** **CONDUCT TOWARDS THE PUBLIC** ***Article V*** **ATTITUDE TOWARDS PROFESSION** ***Article VI*** **ATTITUDE TOWARDS FELLOW CRIMINOLOGISTS** a. The Criminologists shall strive constantly to improve professional standing of Criminology through association with others in the profession and keeping abreast with the fast-moving world of science and technology through constant research and development. b. He shall cooperate fully with fellow criminologists regardless of personal prejudice. He should however, be assured that such action is proper and in accordance with law and guard against the use of his office or person, knowingly or unknowingly in any improper or illegal action. He must always bear in mind at all times that it is not sufficient to be proficient in one work; he must also have a high sense of justice, belief in the dignity and worth of all men and a proper motivation and attitude. He must possess a sense of dedication to his profession and a sense of duty and obligation to his fellowmen. c. He shall cooperate with fellow criminologists and public officials to the end that the safety and general welfare of the public will be assured, never permitting jealousies or personal differences to influence their professional duties and obligations. ***Article VIII*** **AFFECTIVITY** This Code of ethics for Registered Criminologist shall be effective upon approval hereof by the Commission and after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the official Gazette (Published October 12, 1987). *Prepared by;* *Ms. Shella C. Baquilar, RCrim*