CASE STUDY #4

PICK ME UP
Gift-giving is a part of our culture. Being a public or government employee you
can accept gifts only that are nominal and insignificant. What happened to Ronnie is a
normal happening in most if not all of the government offices. As a form of gratitude,
people give money to the public or government employees. But if I was in Ronnies
shoes, I will return the money to Ms. Santos. This is because I know from the very
beginning that accepting money is a prohibited act. As a public servant, it is very
unethical for a government employee to receive any amount from the people; it is my
duty and obligation to serve the people to the best of my ability. I have to perform my
responsibility to the people with all my heart without expecting any amount in return. I
will just explain to Ms. Santos the reason why I cannot accept the money. I will tell her
that I know she is just happy and satisfied of my performance but despite that it is
improper to give money to me. I will tell her that it is my responsibility to serve her since
I am a public servant. On the other hand, I will thank her for the offer anyway. I will
appreciate her kind act of thanking me. By simply doing this, I can make her realize that
what she did is a prohibited act and that it should not be done to the government
employees. According to Section 3 of RA 6713 otherwise known as Code of Conduct
and Ethical Standard for Public Officials and Employees provides that gift refers to a
thing or a right to dispose gratuitously, or any act of 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.