REPUBLIC Act (RA) 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, or RA 6713 provides the eight norms of conduct that every government official or employee must live by. These are commitment to public interest, professionalism, justness and sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public, nationalism and patriotism, commitment to democracy, and simple living. Each public official and employee is required to observe these as standards of personal conduct in the discharge and execution of official duties.
First is commitment to public interest. Every public official or employee must remember that he/she is a public servant. Thus, the interest of the public should always come before his/her personal interest. This explains why in the recruitment, selection, and placement process, it is emphasized that the person being appointed in the career service of the local government should not be related to the appointing authority within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. In addition, government employees must not waste resources and funds of the government and ensure that these are used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically.
Next is professionalism. This means that every public official or employee should perform and discharge their duties and responsibilities with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill. They must serve the public with utmost devotion and dedication to duty. Government employees must work hard and ensure that they work for eight hours a day and must not waste company hours whenever they are in the office. At the same time, they are also expected to respond "in the exigency of the service" and perform other tasks that need to be accomplished.
The third norm is justness and sincerity which means that government employees and officials must remain sincere and true to the people they serve at all times. They should treat people equally and must not discriminate against anyone especially the poor and the underprivileged. They should, at all times, refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest.
Next is political neutrality, and this is an important reminder to all government employees now that the 2022 National Elections is scheduled next year. Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala gave a gentle reminder that “no officer or employee in the civil service, as well as any member of the military, shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political activity, except to vote,” as stipulated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Chairperson Rosa-Bala said that civil servants are mandated by law to uphold political neutrality in the conduct of our duties even during election season.
However, Chairperson Rosa-Bala clarified that a civil servant is not prohibited to expressi his or her views on current political problems or issues, or from mentioning the names of candidates whom he or she supports, according to the Administrative Code of 1987. She added that “social media functions such as liking, commenting, sharing, re-posting, or following a candidate’s or party’s account,” unless meant to solicit support for or against a candidate or party during the campaign period, is allowed.
The other four norms will be discussed in my next column.