THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has reminded its personnel on the No Gift Policy for the government employees which prohibits them from receiving or soliciting gifts of monetary value from the people they transact with.

Speaking during the AFP-PNP press forum Wednesday, August 14, DCPO spokesperson Police Captain Ma. Teresita Gaspan said accepting gifts is prohibited and thus, they discourage any personnel from receiving any from the public.

“Bawal naman talaga kasi nasa ethical standard ng prohibition ng lahat ng government employees and public officials. Of course, we do not encourage any members of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to accept any gifts na ginahatag sa bisan kinsa even in return kini sa na-accomplished or na police assistance or natabangan sila,” Gaspan said.

She added, “We always remind our personnel na dili gyud magdawat... bisan kini personal lang na hatag during birthdays.”

Under the Republic Act (RA) 3019 (1960) or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (1989), it prohibits such act. Anyone found guilty will be facing criminal and administrative charges.

It forbids “directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the government and any other part, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law,” part of the provisions of RA 3019 states.

“We stick to the policy kay naa man na siya, nakabalo napod atong mga police ana gikan pagsugod namo, day 1 pa lang sa entry namo, naka incorporate na siya sa subject during sa recruitment time pa namo nag training mi sa regional training school. Naa na ang ethical standard and doctrine sa unsang prohibitions kay under man siya sa balaod,” Gaspan said.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office-Davao spokesperson Police Major Jason Baria said that it is, however, okay to accept small token as long as it is not in monetary form in exchange of a favor.

“The PNP chief only emphasizes those mga in-kind or gift na binigay, which is consumable. Kasi minsan kasi pag birthday ni RD (regional director), birthday ni city director, hindi natin alam may nagpapadala doon ng lechon, mga ganong bagay which is hindi naman natin alam kung saan galing or from a friend. Hindi naman pinagbabawal,” Baria said.

Section 14 states “unsolicited gifts or presents of small or insignificant value offered or given as a mere ordinary token of gratitude or friendship are exempted from graft and corrupt practices.”