NORMS OF CONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS
AND EMPLOYEES  Simplify and systematize policy, rules and
Positive Norms
Sec. 4, R.A. No. 6713 (Code of Conduct of Ethical
Standards for Public Officials and Employees)
1. Commitment to public interest
 Uphold the public interest over and above
personal interest
 Employ and use resources and powers of
offices effectively, honestly and
economically to avoid wastage in public
funds and revenues
2. Professionalism
 Perform and discharge duties with the
highest degree of excellence,
professionalism, intelligence and skill
 Enter public service with utmost devotion
and dedication to duty
 Endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions
as dispensers or peddlers of undue
patronage
3. Justness and sincerity
 Remain true to the people at all times
 Act with justness and sincerity and not to
discriminate against anyone
 Respect the rights of others
 Refrain from doing acts contrary to law,
good morals, good customs, public policy,
public order, public safety and public
interest
 Not to dispense or extend undue favors on
account of their office to relatives by
consanguinity or affinity
o Exception: Appointments to confidential
positions or as personal staff with
coterminous terms
4. Political neutrality
 Provide service to everyone without unfair
discrimination, regardless of political
affiliation
5. Responsiveness to the public
 Extend prompt, courteous, and adequate
service to the public
 Provide information of policies in clear and
understandable language
 Ensure openness of information, public
consultations and hearings whenever
appropriate
 Encourage suggestions
procedures
 Avoid red tape
 Develop an understanding of prevailing
socio-economic conditions
6. Nationalism and patriotism
 Maintain loyalty to the Republic and to the
Filipino people
 Promote the use of locally produced goods,
resources, and technology
 Encourage appreciation and pride of country
and people
 Endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine
sovereignty against foreign intrusion
7. Commitment to democracy
 Commit to democratic way of life and values
 Maintain the principle of public
accountability
 Manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian
authority over the military
 Uphold the Constitution at all times
 Put loyalty to country above loyalty to
persons or party
8. Simple living
 Lead modest lives appropriate to their
positions and income
 Not to indulge in extravagant or
ostentatious display of wealth in any form
Penalties
 Fine not exceeding the equivalent of 6 months'
salary, or suspension not exceeding 1 year, or
removal, depending on the gravity of the offense
after due notice and hearing
 If the violation is punishable by a heavier penalty
under another law, the offender shall be
prosecuted under the latter statute
 Private individuals who act as co-principals,
accomplices or accessories shall be subject to
the same penal liabilities
 Negative Norms
Sec. 3, R.A. No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act)
1. Persuading, inducing, or influencing
another public officer to perform an act
constituting a violation of existing laws or
an offense in connection with the latter’s
official duties
 Includes allowing to be persuaded, induced,
or influenced to commit such violation or
offense
2. Requesting or receiving any gift or benefit
in connection with any contract or
transaction between the Government and
any other party, wherein the public officer
has to intervene under the law
 Direct or indirect
 For himself or for another
 The person giving the gift shall be
disqualified from transacting with the
Government, in addition to the penalties in
Sec. 9
3. Requesting or receiving any pecuniary or
material benefit in consideration of
securing any government permit or license
 Direct or indirect
 For himself or for another
 Without prejudice to Sec. 13 on suspension
 The person giving the gift shall be
disqualified from transacting with the
Government, in addition to the penalties in
Sec. 9
4. Accepting employment in a private
enterprise with pending official business
with him during his term or within one
year after termination
 Includes having any member of his family
accept employment in the same
 The person offering employment shall be
disqualified from transacting with the
Government, in addition to the penalties in
Sec. 9
5. Causing any undue injury or giving any
party unwarranted benefits or advantages
in the discharge of his official
administrative or judicial functions
through manifest partiality, evident bad
faith or gross inexcusable negligence
 Includes undue injury to the Government
 Applies to officers and employees of offices
or government corporations charged with
the grant of licenses or permits or other
concessions
6. Neglecting or refusing to act within a
reasonable time on any matter pending
before him for the purpose of obtaining
some pecuniary or material benefit from
any interested person
 Neglect or refusal must be after due demand
and without sufficient justification
 Purpose of such neglect or refusal must be
to favor his own interest or give undue
advantage or disadvantage to any
interested party
7. Entering on behalf of the Government into
any contract or transaction manifestly and
grossly disadvantageous to it
 Applies regardless of whether or not the
public officer will profit by such act
8. Having pecuniary interest in any business,
contract or transaction in connection in
which he intervenes in his official capacity,
or in which he is prohibited by the
Constitution or law from having any
interest
 Direct or indirect
9. Having a material interest in any
transaction or act requiring the approval of
a body of which he is a member, and which
exercises discretion in such approval
 Direct or indirect
 Applies even if he votes against the same or
does not participate in the action of the body
 Interest for personal gain shall be presumed
against public officers responsible for the
approval of manifestly unlawful or irregular
transactions or acts by the body to which
they belong
10. Knowingly approving or granting any
license, permit, privilege or benefit in favor
of any person not qualified for the same
 Applies in the case of a representative or
dummy of one who is not so qualified or
entitled to the same
11. Divulging valuable, confidential
information to unauthorized persons, or
 releasing such information before its
authorized release date
 Said information must be acquired on
account of his official position
 The person urging the untimely release of
said information shall be disqualified from
transacting with the Government, in
addition to the penalties in Sec. 9

Penalties

 Imprisonment from 6 years and 1 month to 15

years
 Perpetual disqualification from public office
 Forfeiture in favor of the Government of any
prohibited interest and unexplained wealth
manifestly out of proportion to his salary and
other lawful income
 Private individuals who act as co-principals,
accomplices or accessories shall be subject to
the same penal liabilities