UNDERSTANDING ETHICS Etymologically, the word ethics is
coined from the Greek word “ethicos”, or that which
pertains to “ethos”, the English translation of which is
“custom” or “character”. From this etymological meaning,
ethics is taken to mean as a philosophical science that deals
with the morality of human conduct or human acts.
What do we mean by “morality of human acts?” Morality of
human acts refers to the goodness of the badness, the
rightness or the wrongness of human acts.
Ethics is a philosophical science. This means that ethics is
one of the many disciplines in philosophy.
Four Disciplines / Divisions in Philosophy:
1. Descriptive or Speculative – a discipline in philosophy
that posits the question: What is the nature of reality?
(Metaphysics)
2. Normative – a discipline in philosophy that posits the
question: What is good and what is bad? Or what is right
action and wrong action? (Moral philosophy)
3. Practical philosophy – a discipline in philosophy which
reflects upon truth in relation to action. (Logic)
4. Critical philosophy – a discipline in philosophy that posits
the question: What is truth? (Epistemology)
CHARACTER VS. PERSONALITY
Character - It is objective in nature. It is within a person. A
particular system of trait that is permanent to each person.
It is molded depending on his environment. One’s character
shows on how the person acts and reacts to his or her peers
and how she or he deals with everything that happens
around him or her.
Personality - It is subjective. It changes at point in time. A
set of characteristics that each person possesses. It
influences how one behaves as well as one’s motivation.
The image that one presents in front of other.
Moral integrity - is the only true measure of what man
ought to be. The most successful professional, is nothing
unless he too is morally upright. Thus, the philosophers
speak of ethics as the “only necessary knowledge”.
Morality is the foundation of every human society.
Without civic morality, communities perish; without
personal morality their survival has no value. Every culture
admits the importance of morality as a standard of
behavior. When the moral foundation of a nation is
threatened, society itself is threatened.
Morality is the quality of human acts by which they are
constituted as good, bad or indifferent.
MORALITY AND HUMAN EXISTENCE - There is morality
because there is man.
1. Man is the only Moral Being by virtue of the following
reasons.
a. Man is a being of action.
b. Man has intellect.
c. Man has will.
2. Man as an Animal
3. Man as a Rational Animal
4. Intellect compared with will
5. Concrete Basis of Morality
ETHICS VS. MORALITY
UNDERSTANDING VALUES - Undeniably, there is a
metaphysical dependence of values in ethics, for values
have ethics as one of their indispensable carriers. True
enough, ethics and values support each other. An ethics
without values is hollow and shallow and, therefore, weak.
Values without ethics are paralytic. Needless to say, values
are values even if they are not put into practice because
primarily – not absolutely - values are objective. If values
are construed this way, it can be inferred that they have
nothing to do with ethics. The contention can be justified in
view of the fact that not everything which is good is moral
or ethical. In other words, not all values (good) are
necessarily moral. The good in a glass of water – because it
satisfies our thirst – does not quality water as moral. The
good in food – because it satisfies our hunger – does not
make food moral as well.
General definition of Values
1. Values are the object of human desire and striving; they
are also the subjective assessment of a particular object
insofar as it is good.
2. Values are our beliefs, those beliefs which we hold to be
true. Thus, values inspire us to struggle towards our
proximate and ultimate ends.
3. Values refer to things, person, ideas or goals which are
important to life; they enable us to direct, understand, and
evaluate our lives. Thus, they refer to us.
Properties of Values
1. Values are subjective – when we say values are
subjective, we mean that the existence and the validity of
values are dependent upon on the feelings or attitudes of
the subject. 2. Values are objective – when we say values
are objective, we mean that the existence and the nature of
values are independent of a subject.
3. Values are relative – this means that values have
intrinsic limitation and imperfection.
4. Values are bipolar – this mean that values do not exist
alone; they always exist with their counter values. Thus,
values are either positive or negative.
5. Values are hierarchical – when we say values are
hierarchical, we do not classify values but rather we rank
them. When we rank values, we establish order of
importance among them. The closest meaning of ranking
values is prioritizing values.
ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES-Every organization has values
that are important to the group. It will help the
organization to survive. Organizations develop values much
the same as each individual has developed values.
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN ACTS- Human acts are actions
that proceed from the deliberate free will of man. In
broader perspective, the term human acts refer to any
activity performed by man. This activity could either be
physical, spiritual, internal, or external. Moral philosophy,
however, treats the term human acts not in its broader but
in its stricter meaning. Moral Philosophy, therefore,
understands human acts as actions that are proper only to
man. These actions are those which man does not share
with the brutes for human acts are rational and willed acts.
Three-fold Elements of Human Acts
1. Knowledge
2. Freedom
3. Voluntariness
HUMAN ACTS VS. ACTS OF MAN
VALUES - anything that a person considers important in life,
such as material things, ideas and experiences
KINDS OF VALUES
1) BIOLOGICAL VALUES - those that are necessary for
survival, such as food, shelter, clothing, sex, water, sleep -
include the physiological needs of man as man
2) PSYCHOLOGICAL VALUES - those are that are
necessary for emotional fulfillment of man, such as
relationships, companionship, family, friendships, love
3) INTELLECTUAL VALUES - those that are necessary
for the intellectual fulfillment of man, such as
achievements, career, success
4) MORAL VALUES - those that are necessary for the
spiritual fulfillment of man
VIRTUE - a habit that inclines the person to act in a way
that harmonizes with his nature, doing good the opposite is
vice, the habit of doing bad
FOUR MORAL/CARDINAL VIRTUES
1) PRUDENCE - the ability to govern and discipline
oneself by means of reason and sound judgment,
the virtue that attracts the intellect to choose the
most effective means for accomplishing what is
morally good and avoiding what is evil
2) TEMPERANCE - one’s ability to moderate or avoid
something, the virtue that regulates the carnal
appetite for sensual pleasures.
3) FORTITUDE - firmness of mind, the courage to
endure without yielding, the virtue that incites
courage
a) PATIENCE – calmness and composure in
enduring situations
b) PERSEVERANCE – the ability to go on despite
the obstacles
c) ENDURANCE – the ability to last
4) JUSTICE - the virtue that inclines the will to give to
each one of his rights
THREE DIVISIONS OF JUSTICE
1) COMMUTATIVE - virtue that regulates those
actions that involve the rights that exist between
one and another
2) DISTRIBUTIVE - Regulates those actions that
involve the rights than an individual may claim
from society
3) LEGAL - virtue that regulates those actions which
society may justly require of the individual for the
common good
RIGHT - anything that is owed or due, something to which a
person has a just and lawful claim, anything that a person
can lawfully demand
HUMAN RIGHTS
- rights pertaining to the rights of man
- Rights inherent to man by virtue of being a human
being
- are the supreme, inherent and inalienable rights to life,
dignity and to self-development
Supreme rights = highest form of rights
Inherent rights =rights attached to men as human
Inalienable rights = rights that cannot be transferred,
cannot be borrowed and cannot be taken away
BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS
1) RIGHT TO LIFE
Exceptions: self-defense,death under exceptional
circumstances, death penalty
2) RIGHT TO LIBERTY
 Exceptions: for reasons of public health and public
safety, penalty for commission of a crime,
circumstances of warrantless arrests
3) RIGHT TO PROPERTY
Exceptions: circumstances of warrantless search by
virtue of court order
BILL OF RIGHTS
- a list of individual liberties, freedom and rights which
are guaranteed and protected under Article III of the
1987 Philippine Constitution
- protection of individuals against abuses of the state
- protection of the rights of an accused
DUTY
- anything we are obliged to do or to omit
- a moral obligation incumbent upon a person of doing,
omitting or avoiding
- for every right, there is a corresponding duty
PNP CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
Social norms are the unwritten rules of beliefs, attitudes,
and behaviors that are considered acceptable in a particular
social group or culture. Norms provide us with an expected
idea of how to behave, and function to provide order and
predictability in society.
CUSTOMS - established usage or social practices carried on
by tradition that have obtained the force of law
PNP CUSTOMS ON COURTESY - a manifestation or
expression of consideration and respect for others
SALUTE - the usual greeting rendered by uniformed
personnel upon meeting and recognizing persons entitled
to it
SALUTE TO NATIONAL COLOR AND STANDARD - police
officers must stand at attention and salute the national
color and standard as it passes by them or when the
national color is raised or lowered during ceremonies
ADDRESS/TITLE - junior in rank must address senior
members who are entitled to a salute with the “Sir” or
“Ma’am”
COURTESY CALLS
1) COURTESY CALL OF
NEWLY-ASSIGNED/APPOINTED MEMBER
- PNP members who are newly-assigned or
appointed to a unit or command must call on the
chief of the unit or command and to other key
personnel for accounting, orientation and other
purposes
2) CHRISTMAS CALL
- PNP members pay a Christmas call on their local
executives in their respective area of responsibility
3) NEW YEAR’S CALL
- PNP members pay a New Year’s call on their
commanders and/or key officials in their
respective area of responsibility
4) PROMOTION CALL
- newly-promoted PNP members call on their unit
head
5) EXIT CALL
- PNP members pay an exit call on their superiors in
the unit or command when relieved or reassigned
out of said unit or command
COURTESY OF THE POST - the host unit extends hospitality
to visiting personnel who pay respect to the command or
unit
“RANK-HAS-ITS-OWN-PRIVILEGE” - PNP members must
acknowledge that different ranks carry with them
corresponding privileges
CEREMONY - a formal act or set of formal acts established
by customs or authority as proper to special occasion
PNP CUSTOMS ON CEREMONIES
FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY - PNP members honor the flag
by raising it and singing the National Anthem before
the start of the official day’s work
FLAG-RETREAT CEREMONY - PNP members salute the
lowering of the flag at the end of the official day’s work
HALF-MAST -the flag is raised at half-mast in deference to
deceased uniformed members of the command
FUNERAL SERVICE AND HONORS - departed uniformed
members, retirees, war veterans or former PNP
members are given vigil, neurological services and
graveside honors
CEREMONY TENDERED TO RETIREES
- In recognition of their long, faithful and honorable service
to the PNP, a testimonial activity shall be tendered in their
honor
HONOR CEREMONIES
Arrival and departure honor ceremonies are rendered to
visiting dignitaries, VIPs, PNP officers with the rank of Chief
Superintendent and above and AFP officers of equivalent
grade
TURN-OVER CEREMONY
The relinquishment and assumption of command or key
position is publicly announced by the outgoing and
incoming officers
WEDDING CEREMONY
During marriage of PNP members, a ceremony is conducted
with participants in uniform and swords drawn
ANNIVERSARY
The birth or institutional establishment of a command or
unit is commemorated in an anniversary ceremony
SOCIAL DECORUM - a set of norms and standards practiced
by members during social and other functions

PNP CUSTOMS ON SOCIAL DECORUM
UNIFORM/APPEARANCE
- police officers must observe the following:
a) wearing of prescribed uniform
b) wearing, as part of the uniform, awards and
decorations earned in accordance with the
prescribed rules and regulations
c) adherence to haircut prescribed by rules and
regulations
MANNER OF WALKING every PNP officer is expected to
walk with pride and dignity
TRADITION - bodies of beliefs, stories, customs and usages
handed down from generation to generation with the effect
of an unwritten law
POLICE TRADITIONS
1) SPIRITUAL BELIEFS - PNP members are
traditionally religious and God-loving persons; they attend
religious services together with the members of their
family
2) VALOR - police officers sacrifice their lives and
limbs for the people they have pledged to serve
3) PATRIOTISM - police officers manifest their love of
country with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and
a vow to defend the Constitution
4) DISCIPLINE - police officers manifest discipline by
instinctive obedience to lawful orders and through
spontaneous actions towards attainment of
organizational objectives guided by moral, ethical
and legal norms
5) GENTLEMANLINESS - police officers are upright in
character, polite in manners, dignified in
appearance and sincere in their concern for their
fellowmen
6) WORD OF HONOR - police officers stand by, and
commit to uphold, their word
7) DUTY - police officers are dedicated public
servants who perform their tasks with a deep
sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice
8) LOYALTY - police officers are traditionally loyal to
the organization, country and fellowmen
9) CAMARADERIE - the binding spirit that enhances
teamwork and cooperation in the police
organization
POLICE OFFICER’S PLEDGE
1) I will love and serve God, my country and people;
2) I will uphold the Constitution and obey legal orders
of the duly-constituted authorities
3) I will oblige myself to maintain a high standard of
morality and professionalism
4) I will respect the customs and traditions of the
police service; and
5) I will live a decent and virtuous life and to serve as
an example to others.
POLICE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
1) COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY
- police officers must commit themselves to a democratic
way of life and values and maintain the principle of public
accountability
-they shall at all times uphold the Constitution and be loyal
to the legitimate government
2) COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC INTEREST
-police officers must always uphold public interest over and
above personal interest they shall use public resources and
properties economically and judiciously to avoid wastage of
public funds
3) NON-PARTISANSHIP
police officers shall provide services to everyone without
discrimination regardless of political affiliation in
accordance with existing laws and regulations.
4) PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTH
police officers shall strive to be physically and mentally fit
and in good health at all times
5) SECRECY DISCIPLINE
police officers shall guard the confidentiality of official
information against unauthorized access and disclosure
6) SOCIAL AWARENESS
police officers, as well as their immediate family members,
shall be encouraged to actively get involved in religious,
social and civic activities to enhance the image of the PNP
organization
7) NON-SOLICITATION OF PATRONAGE
police officers shall seek self-improvement through career
development without directly or indirectly soliciting favors
or recommendation from politicians, high-ranking
government officials and the like
8) PROPER CARE AND USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY
police officers shall be responsible for the security, proper
care and use of public authority issued to them for the
performance of their duties
9) RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
police officers shall respect and protect human rights in the
performance of their duty
10) DEVOTION TO DUTY
police officers shall perform their duties with dedication,
thoroughness, efficiency, enthusiasm, determination and
manifest concern for public welfare
11) CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
police officers shall help in the development and
conservation of our natural resources for ecological balance
and posterity
12) DISCIPLINE
police officers shall conduct themselves properly at all
times in keeping with the rules and regulations of the
organization
13) LOYALTY
police officers must be loyal to the Constitution and to the
police service as manifested by their loyalty to their
superiors, peers and subordinates as well
14) OBEDIENCE TO SUPERIORS
police officers shall obey lawful orders and be courteous to
superior officers and other appropriate authorities
15) COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY
immediate commanders shall be responsible for the
effective supervision, control and direction of their
personnel
ETHICAL STANDARDS - shall refer to established and
generally accepted moral values and ethical acts

1) MORALITY - police officers must adhere to high
standard of morality and decency and shall set
good example for others
2) JUDICIOUS USE OF AUTHORITY - police officers
shall exercise proper and legitimate use of
authority and discretion in the performance of
their duty
3) INTEGRITY - police officers shall not allow
themselves to be victims of corruption and
dishonest practices
4) JUSTICE - police officers shall strive constantly to
respect the rights of others
5) HUMILITY
- police officers shall recognize the fact that they are
public servants and not the masters of the people
- they should perform their duties without
arrogance
- they should recognize their own inadequacies,
inabilities and limitations as individuals
- they should perform their duties without attracting
attention or expecting the applause of others
6) ORDERLINESS - police officers shall follow logical
procedures in accomplishing tasks assigned to
them to minimize wasted time and resources
7) PERSEVERANCE -police officers must exert all
efforts to achieve their goal or mission even in the face of
difficulties and obstacles
Professional Regulation Commission - Its mandate is to
regulate and supervise the practice of the professionals
who constitute the highly skilled manpower of the country.
Oath - a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness,
regarding one's future action or behavior.
Code of ethics - a set of principles and rules used by
individuals and organizations to govern their decision-
making process, as well as to distinguish right from wrong.
Professional Conduct – outlines the ethical principles that
govern decisions and behavior at a company or
organization
Ethical Standards – refer to the principles that promote
trust, good behavior, fairness and governing the conduct of
a person
Code of Ethics Board of Criminology
Article I PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF REGISTERED
CRIMINOLOGIST
Article 2 LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY
Article 3 PRIVATE CONDUCT
Article 4 CONDUCT TOWARDS THE PUBLIC
Article 5 ATTITUDE TOWARDS PROFESSION
Article 6 ATTITUDE TOWARDS FELLOW CRIMINOLOGISTS
Article 7 CODE OF ETHICS
LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS
As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to
serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property, to protect
the innocent against deception; the weak against
oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against
violence or disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights
of all men to liberty, equality and justice. I will keep my
private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain
courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule;
develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the
welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my
personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the
laws of the land and the regulation of my department.
Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is
confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever
secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of
my duty. I will never act officiously or permit personal
feelings, prejudices animosities or friendships to influence
my decisions. With the compromise for crime and with
relentless prosecution or criminals, I will enforce the law
courteously and appropriately without fear or favor malice
or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence
and never accepting gratuities. I recognize the badge of my
office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public
trust to be held so long as I am true to the other of the
police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these
objectives, and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my
chosen profession. Law enforcement.
Article 8 EFFECTIVITY - This Code of Ethics for Registered
Criminologist - October 12, 1987 (published date), October
27, 1987 (Effectively Date)
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the
term:
(a) "Government" includes the National Government, the
local governments, and all other instrumentalities, agencies
or branches of the Republic of the Philippines including
government-owned or controlled corporations, and their
subsidiaries.
(b) "Public Officials" includes elective and appointive
officials and employees, permanent or temporary, whether
in the career or non-career service, including military and
police personnel, whether or not they receive
compensation, regardless of amount.
(c) "Gift" refers to a thing or a right to dispose of
gratuitously, or any act or 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.
(d) "Receiving any gift" includes the act of accepting
directly or indirectly, a gift from a person other than a
member of his family or relative as defined in this Act, even
on the occasion of a family celebration or national festivity
like Christmas, if the value of the gift is neither nominal nor
insignificant, or the gift is given in anticipation of, or in
exchange for, a favor.
(e) "Loan" covers both simple loan and commodatum as
well as guarantees, financing arrangements or
accommodations intended to ensure its approval.
(f) "Substantial stockholder" means any person who owns,
directly or indirectly, shares of stock sufficient to elect a
director of a corporation. This term shall also apply to the
parties to a voting trust.
(g) "Family of public officials or employees" means their
spouses and unmarried children under eighteen (18) years
of age.
(h) "Person" includes natural and juridical persons unless
the context indicates otherwise.
(i) "Conflict of interest" arises when a public official or
employee is a member of a board, an officer, or a
substantial stockholder of a private corporation or owner or
has a substantial interest in a business, and the interest of
such corporation or business, or his rights or duties therein,
may be opposed to or affected by the faithful performance
of official duty.
(j) "Divestment" is the transfer of title or disposal of
interest in property by voluntarily, completely and actually
depriving or dispossessing oneself of his right or title to it in
favor of a person or persons other than his spouse and
relatives as defined in this Act.
(k) "Relatives" refers to any and all persons related to a
public official or employee within the fourth civil degree of
consanguinity or affinity, including bilas, inso and balae.
Section 4. Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and
Employees. –
(A) Every public official and employee shall observe the
following as standards of personal conduct in the
discharge and execution of official duties:
(a) Commitment to public interest. - Public officials and
employees shall always uphold the public interest over and
above personal interest.
(b) Professionalism. - Public officials and employees shall
perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree
of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill.
(c) Justness and sincerity. - Public officials and employees
shall remain true to the people at all times. They must act
with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate
against anyone, especially the poor and the
underprivileged.
(d) Political neutrality. - Public officials and employees shall
provide service to everyone without unfair discrimination
and regardless of party affiliation or preference.
(e) Responsiveness to the public. - Public officials and
employees shall extend prompt, courteous, and adequate
service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by law or
when required by the public interest.
(f) Nationalism and patriotism. - Public officials and
employees shall at all times be loyal to the Republic and to
the Filipino people, promote the use of locally produced
goods, resources and technology and encourage
appreciation and pride of country and people. They shall
endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty
against foreign intrusion.
(g) Commitment to democracy. - Public officials and
employees shall commit themselves to the democratic way
of life and values, maintain the principle of public
accountability, and manifest by deeds the supremacy of
civilian authority over the military.
(h) Simple living. - Public officials and employees and their
families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their
positions and income.
(B) The Civil Service Commission shall adopt positive
measures to promote
(1) Observance of these standards including the
dissemination of information programs and workshops
authorizing merit increases beyond regular progression
steps, to a limited number of employees recognized by
their office colleagues to be outstanding in their observance
of ethical standards; and
(2) Continuing research and experimentation on measures
which provide positive motivation to public officials and
employees in raising the general level of observance of
these standards.
Section 5. Duties of Public Officials and Employees. - In the
performance of their duties, all public officials and
employees are under obligation to:
(a) Act promptly on letters and requests. - All public
officials and employees shall, within fifteen (15) working
days from receipt thereof, respond to letters, telegrams or
other means of communications sent by the public. The
reply must contain the action taken on the request.
(b) Submit annual performance reports. - All heads or
other responsible officers of offices and agencies of the
government and of government-owned or controlled
corporations shall, within forty-five (45) working days from
the end of the year, render a performance report of the
agency or office or corporation concerned. Such report shall
be open and available to the public within regular office
hours.
(c) Process documents and papers expeditiously. - All
official papers and documents must be processed and
completed within a reasonable time from the preparation
thereof and must contain, as far as practicable, not more
than three (3) signatories therein. In the absence of duly
authorized signatories, the official next-in-rank or officer in
charge shall sign for and in their behalf.
(d) Act immediately on the public's personal transactions.
- All public officials and employees must attend to anyone
who wants to avail himself of the services of their offices
and must, at all times, act promptly and expeditiously.
(e) Make documents accessible to the public. - All public
documents must be made accessible to, and readily
available for inspection by, the public within reasonable
working hours.
Section 6. System of Incentives and Rewards. - A system of
annual incentives and rewards is hereby established in
order to motivate and inspire public servants to uphold the
highest standards of ethics. For this purpose, a Committee
on Awards to Outstanding Public Officials and Employees
is hereby created composed of the following: the
Ombudsman and Chairman of the Civil Service
Commission as Co-Chairmen, and the Chairman of the
Commission on Audit, and two government employees to
be appointed by the President, as members.
It shall be the task of this Committee to conduct a periodic,
continuing review of the performance of public officials and
employees, in all the branches and agencies of Government
and establish a system of annual incentives and rewards to
the end that due recognition is given to public officials and
employees of outstanding merit on the basis of the
standards set forth in this Act.
The conferment of awards shall take into account, among
other things, the following: the years of service and the
quality and consistency of performance, the obscurity of
the position, the level of salary, the unique and exemplary
quality of a certain achievement, and the risks or
temptations inherent in the work. Incentives and rewards
to government officials and employees of the year to be
announced in public ceremonies honoring them may take
the form of bonuses, citations, directorships in
government-owned or controlled corporations, local and
foreign scholarship grants, paid vacations and the like. They
shall likewise be automatically promoted to the next higher
position with the commensurate salary suitable to their
qualifications. In case there is no next higher position or it is
not vacant, said position shall be included in the budget of
the office in the next General Appropriations Act. The
Committee on Awards shall adopt its own rules to govern
the conduct of its activities.
Section 7. Prohibited Acts and Transactions. - In addition to
acts and omissions of public officials and employees now
prescribed in the Constitution and existing laws, the
following shall constitute prohibited acts and transactions
of any public official and employee and are hereby declared
to be unlawful:
(a) Financial and material interest. - Public officials and
employees shall not, directly or indirectly, have any
financial or material interest in any transaction requiring
the approval of their office.
(b) Outside employment and other activities related
thereto. - Public officials and employees during their
incumbency shall not:
(1) Own, control, manage or accept employment as officer,
employee, consultant, counsel, broker, agent, trustee or
nominee in any private enterprise regulated, supervised or
licensed by their office unless expressly allowed by law;
(2) Engage in the private practice of their profession unless
authorized by the Constitution or law, provided, that such
practice will not conflict or tend to conflict with their official
functions; or
(3) Recommend any person to any position in a private
enterprise which has a regular or pending official
transaction with their office.
These prohibitions shall continue to apply for a period of
one (1) year after resignation, retirement, or separation
from public office, except in the case of subparagraph
(b) (2) above, but the professional concerned cannot
practice his profession in connection with any matter
before the office he used to be with, in which case the one-
year prohibition shall likewise apply.
(c) Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information. -
Public officials and employees shall not use or divulge,
confidential or classified information officially known to
them by reason of their office and not made available to
the public.
(d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. - Public officials and
employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly,
any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of
monetary value from any person in the course of their
official duties or in connection with any operation being
regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by
the functions of their office.
As to gifts or grants from foreign governments, the
Congress consents to:
(i) The acceptance and retention by a public official or
employee of a gift of nominal value tendered and received
as a souvenir or mark of courtesy;
(ii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of a gift
in the nature of a scholarship or fellowship grant or medical
treatment; or
(iii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of travel
grants or expenses for travel taking place entirely outside
the Philippine (such as allowances, transportation, food,
and lodging) of more than nominal value if such acceptance
is appropriate or consistent with the interests of the
Philippines, and permitted by the head of office, branch or
agency to which he belongs.
The Ombudsman shall prescribe such regulations as may be
necessary to carry out the purpose of this subsection,
including pertinent reporting and disclosure requirements.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or prohibit
any educational, scientific or cultural exchange programs
subject to national security requirements.