Group 3 Members:

Gaco, Geniyza

Lagare, Rhean Mae

Lebores, Carol

Saludar, Sheroes Jane

Simacas, Axl Ross

Villamor, Frenz Nicole

Year and Section: BPA 2 - 1

Group No.: 3

Group Topic: Transparency and Accountability

Governance and The Rule of Law (Gaco and Lagare)

Ethics, Integrity, and Accountability in Good Governance (Lebores and Simacas)

Conceptual Framework on Development and Governance in Attaining MDGs through

RBA (Saludar and Villamor)

 GOVERNANCE AND THE RULE OF LAW

Definition of Terms
● Governance - : the act or process of governing or overseeing the control and direction of
something (such as a country or an organization)
● Government - : the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political
unit or organization

Discussion
ASSESSMENTS AND CHALLENGES
1. Public Service Delivery - The delivery of public services must be prompt and adequate
to citizens’ needs. Cumbersome government procedures slow down the delivery of public
service and increase transaction costs. Impersonal online services can reduce the
face-to-face transactions that typically provide the occasion for extortion and corruption,
and some agencies have provided such services.
2. Integrity - The OMB (Office of the Ombudsman) has far spearheaded the National Anti
Corruption Plan of Action (NACPA), the collective response of different sectors to the
problem of corruption, integrating and strengthening the anti corruption initiatives and
commitments of the OMB itself, other constitutional bodies, the three branches of
government, LGUs, civil society, the business sector, non-government professional
groups, and the foreign donor community.
3. Rule of Law - Justice is no less important a public good than basic education and
primary health care.
4. Citizens’ Participation - Citizens’ participation has been one of the strengths of
Philippine governance.
5. Political Processes and Systems - Various scholars and other impartial observers19 have
long observed that the problems of lack of accountability and corruption in governance
are ultimately traceable to the country’s historically evolved political processes and
traditions. These include: (a) the dominance of elite interests – both local and national –
in politics and political contests; (b) the absence of political parties that exact
accountability from individual politicians based on principled party platforms; (c) the
weakness and subservience of the bureaucracy relative to the political class; (d) the
 unprecedented power and discretion of the executive branch that encourages both
patronage politics and grand corruption; and (e) the corruption of elections through
patronage and money politics.
6. Gender Roles in Governance Structures - The fact that women remain politically
marginalized is both an indicator of their failure to advance as well as a reason for it
(UNDP 2000). For the ability to claim entitlements and exercise rights is itself based on
gender roles and relations of unequal power.

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
Effective and honest governance will be promoted and practiced through the following four
strategies:
1. Ensure high-quality, efficient, transparent, accountable, financially and physically
accessible and nondiscriminatory delivery of public service;
- Improve Public Services Access and Delivery through Connected Government
- Professionalize the Bureaucracy to become Duty-Bearers
- Enhance the Transparency of Government-to-Business and
Government-to-Citizen Transactions
- Focus Government Efforts on its Vital Functions and Eliminate Redundancies,
and Overlaps in Functions and Operations
- . Enhance and Standardize the Quality of Public Service Delivery to become
Consistent with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Quality
Management System (QMS)
- Citizen-Centered Government
- Improve the Financial Management System in Government
2. Curb both bureaucratic and political corruption;
- Intensify Corruption Prevention
- Speedy Resolution of Corruption Cases, with Special Cases of Grand Corruption
- Adopt a Comprehensive Anti Corruption Program
- Enhance the Legal and Policy Framework for Corruption Prevention
- Strengthen Integrity Mechanisms and Control Structures
- Enhance Partnership Structures and Mechanisms and International Linkages
- Conduct anti corruption advocacy campaigns
 3. Strengthen the rule of law; and
- Strengthen the Oversight Bodies
- Effective and Speedy Resolution of Cases in Courts and QuasiJudicial Bodies
- Reduce the Cost of Litigation
- Avoid Lawsuits Involving Government Contracts
- Enhance the Integrity and Competence of Justices, Judges, Court Personnel and
all other Officers of the Judiciary and Quasi-Judicial Bodies
- Increase Resources for Justice Sector
Agencies and Quasi-Judicial Bodies
- Improve Access to Justice of All Sectors of Society particularly the Vulnerable
Groups
- Promote the Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Institutionalize Existing Justice Sector Coordinating Mechanisms
4. Enhance citizens’ access to information and participation in governance.
- Pursue the Passage of the Freedom of Information Bill
- Issue an Executive-Wide Policy on Public Access to Information Pending the
Passing of the Right to Information Act
- Ensure Open and Transparent Search Process in the Selection of Appointees in
Constitutional Commissions, Regulatory Bodies and other Independent Bodies
- Promote and Implement the NACPA
- Intensify People’s Engagement in Local Governance
- Ensure Budget Transparency
- Full Disclosure of Local Budget and Finances, and Bids and Public Offerings

ETHICS, INTEGRITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOOD GOVERNANCE

Definition of Terms
● Ethics - Ethics is an effort to direct human conduct and it helps individuals in leading a
good life by applying moral principles. Ethics is elucidated as well based standards of
right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights,
obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues.
 ● Integrity - Integrity, also known as moral uprightness and strong adherence to honesty
and fairness, is closely linked to ethics. Integrity also refers to wholeness and
completeness (Civil Service Commission, 2024).
● Accountability - This means, we have a responsibility to the people. Everything we do,
we spend, we fulfill, we are our responsibility to the people (Civil Service Commission,
2024).

Discussion
CODE OF ETHICAL STANDARDS (Republic Act 6713)
(a) Commitment to Public Interest - Public officials and employees shall always uphold the
public interest over and above personal interests. All government resources must be employed
and used efficiently, honestly and economically to avoid wasting public funds.

(b) Professionalism - Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties
with utmost devotion and dedication and with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism,
intelligence and skill.

(c) Justness and Sincerity - Public officials and employees must act with justness and sincerity
and shall not discriminate against anyone. They shall respect the rights of others, and shall
refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order,
public safety and public interest. They shall not dispense or extend undue favors on account of
their office to their relatives and friends.

(d) Political Neutrality - Public officials and employees shall not engage in partisan political
activities. They shall provide services to everyone without unfair discrimination and regardless
of party affiliation or preference.

(e) Responsiveness - 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, they shall provide relevant data and information on their policies, procedures and
operations, ensure openness of communication with the public, and avoid red tape.

(f) Nationalism and Patriotism - Public officials and employees shall 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,
protect, 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. They shall at all times uphold the
Constitution and put loyalty to the country above loyalty to persons or parties.

(h) Simple Living - Public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest lives
appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious
display of wealth in any form.

EXAMPLE FOR INTEGRITY

A new Ombudsman was installed to advance the campaign for a clean government, replacing a
predecessor accused of mishandling cases. The appointment was in fulfillment of the President’s
and the citizenry’s hope for “an honest-to-goodness anti-corruption office, not one that condones
the corruption and abuses in government.” The administration’s pursuit of judicial reform
likewise came to fruition when Congress impeached the Chief Justice for betraying the public
trust. A new Chief Justice of unquestionable integrity was then appointed to lead reforms in the
judiciary—reforms that will allow courts to dispense justice quickly, without sacrificing fairness
and foregoing proper procedures. Plunder charges were filed against a former president and
former officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for the alleged misuse of funds;
cases have likewise been filed against high-ranking officials violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act, through the misappropriation of funds and the proliferation overlooked
irregularities under their watch have likewise been held accountable. Anti-corruption drives in
revenue-generating agencies have been intensified, with the government increasingly aggressive
in filing cases against tax evaders, smugglers, and erring officials of the Bureau of Internal
Revenue and of the Bureau of Customs.

EXAMPLE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

● THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ARTICLE
XI, ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS
Section 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must, at all times,
 be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and
efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.
● The Aquino administration took office at a time when corruption undermined the
economy and the credibility of the country, even as it ate away at the country’s social
fabric. Under President Aquino’s leadership, a culture of integrity, accountability, and
transparency is being institutionalized. The government has taken a two-pronged
approach: To establish a culture of accountability among those in public service, and to
soundly manage the nation’s coffers—which includes both ensuring its prudent
disbursement and that the people’s money is used only for the benefit of the citizens. The
results are obvious: Revitalized institutions, confidence in what was once a struggling
economy, and greater opportunities opening up for the Filipino people.

IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS, INTEGRITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN

GOVERNANCE
Public ethics and accountability are essential concepts underpinning an effective local or regional
authority. They refer to the culture, processes, structures and rules that ensure those in public
office act in the wider public interest, rather than their own self-interest. They are an essential
feature of good governance, and it is important that they are respected and monitored by relevant
organizations.

Ethics embody the rules that define the conduct of public officials[1] in order to ensure that the
public is treated fairly and equitably. Ethics help officials make better decisions in the public
interest and help people evaluate the decisions taken on their behalf by public officials.

Public accountability ensures that officials are openly answerable for the decisions they are
taking on behalf of the public.

In the absence of public ethics and accountability, corruption and malpractice are able to thrive.
As outlined in the final chapter, corruption is damaging to individuals, society, the economy and
government in a number of respects. The prioritization of public ethics and accountability can
help curb the worst excesses of power and encourage more responsible and fairer
decision-making by local authorities.
Even where corruption is not endemic, the absence of public ethics and accountability can be
corrosive to public trust in government, public institutions and officials. While the relationship
between public ethics and accountability is complex, consistent and timely application of both
can help to build and strengthen trust between the public and government.

Furthermore, public ethics and accountability can contribute to a positive environment where it is
recognised that citizens and other stakeholders contribute to the quality of the decision-making
process. Combined with citizen participation tools, public ethics and accountability can help to
ensure that citizens’ personal experiences, expertise, knowledge and scrutiny add value to, and
strengthen, decisions taken by government and public officials.

Elected representatives should be aware of the process by which declarations of assets are
monitored and by which body, and which sanctions can be applied, and how, in the event that an
office-holder makes a false or incomplete declaration. They should know the rules governing
whistle-blowing and which officials or officials are responsible for considering whistle-blowers’
complaints and reports of wrongdoing. Local authorities need to ensure in-house training for
newly elected representatives and provide regular refresher training for all elected officials.
Knowledge and understanding of the legal and institutional framework are essential if elected
representatives are to succeed as role models of political integrity.

Finally, public ethics and accountability are key to improving public services because public
services that are more responsive and accountable to people – and benefit from their insights,
ideas, energy, and scrutiny – will work better for people and the community as a whole.
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ON DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE IN
ATTAINING MDGs THROUGH RBA

Discussion
The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) are the first right-based approach (RBA) to
develop mankind at global scale and save billions of people from poverty, hunger, sickness,
death, discrimination and environmental self-destruction.

THE 8 MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1. Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty: To eliminate hunger and poverty by ensuring
access to nutritious food, income-generating opportunities, and social protection for all.
2. Achieve Universal Primary Education: To ensure that all children have access to quality
primary education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women: To achieve gender equality by
eliminating gender disparities in education, employment, and decision-making, and empowering
women to participate fully in society.
4. Reduce Child Mortality: To reduce child mortality rates by providing access to essential
healthcare services, immunizations, and nutrition interventions for children under five years old.
5. Improve Maternal Health: To improve maternal health by ensuring access to quality
healthcare services, including prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal care, to reduce
maternal mortality and complications.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases: To combat major diseases such as
HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases by preventing new infections, providing
treatment and care, and promoting awareness and education.
7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability: To improve maternal health by ensuring access to
quality healthcare services
8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development: To foster global cooperation, enhance aid
effectiveness, promote trade, and provide debt relief to support the development efforts of
developing countries.

What is a human rights-based approach to development?

- Central to a rights-based approach to development is the protection and realization of
human rights. It uses established and accepted human rights standards as a common
framework for assessing and guiding sustainable development initiatives. From this
perspective, the ultimate goal of development is to guarantee all human rights for
everyone. Progressively respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights obligations is
seen as the way to achieve development. A rights-based approach to development is both
a vision and a set of tools: human rights can be the means, the ends, the mechanism of
evaluation, and the central focus of sustainable human development.
Examples of human rights:
• the right to life
• the right to liberty and security of the person
• freedom of movement
• the right to privacy
• equality before the law
• freedom of expression
• the right to vote and be elected
• the right to work, form trade unions, and to have safe and healthy working conditions
• the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
• the right to education
• the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, housing and clothing
• the right to take part in cultural life

MDGs ATTAINMENT THROUGH RIGHT-BASED APPROACH DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMS AND LEGAL PROVISIONS OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
MDG 1 - Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
- The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Implemented by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is the national poverty reduction strategy of
the government as stated under the Republic Act No. 11310 or “An Act institutionalizing
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)” which was signed on April 17, 2019.
- Patterned after the conditional cash transfer scheme implemented in other developing
countries, 4Ps provides cash grants to beneficiaries provided that they comply with the
set of conditions required by the program.
- To be eligible for cash grants, poor and near-poor or families must be willing to comply
the conditions.
- Farmers, fisherfolks, homeless families, indigenous peoples, informal settlers and those
in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas are automatically included in the
standard targeting system in the DSWD but will still have to meet the criteria to be
eligible for cash grants.
MDG 2 - Republic Act 10931, or The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act
- “An act promoting universal access to quality tertiary education by providing free tuition
and other school fees in State Universities and Colleges, Local Universities and Colleges,
and State-Run Technical-Vocational Institutions, establishing the Tertiary Education
Subsidy and Student Loan Program, strengthening the Unified Student Financial
Assistance System for Tertiary Education, and appropriating fund therefore,” as stated in
the title of the Law.
Republic Act 10410 (Early Years Act of 2013)
- Republic Act 10410, also known as the Early Years Act of 2013, was enacted on March
26, 2013, to recognize the ages of zero to eight as the first crucial stage of educational
 development. The act also strengthens the Early Childhood Care and Development
(ECCD) system, and allocates funds for that purpose.
MDG 3 - Republic Act 9710 (The Magna Carta of Women)
- The various existing laws and policies to empower and protect women, and ensure equal
rights and opportunities for men and women, have been strengthened further with the
enactment of Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as The Magna Carta of Women.
MDG 4 & 5 - Republic Act 11148, or The Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act
- RA 11148 was enacted into law last 29 November 2018 as “An Act Scaling Up the
National and Local Health and Nutrition Programs Through A Strengthened Integrated
Strategy for Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Nutrition in the First One Thousand
(1000) Days of Life, Appropriating Funds Therefore, and for Other Purposes”

MDG 6 - Republic Act 8504, or The Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998
- An act promulgating policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and control of
HIV/AIDS in the Philippines, instituting a nationwide HIV/AIDS information and
educational program, establishing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS monitoring system,
strengthening the Philippine National Aids Council, and for other purposes.
MDG 7 - Republic Act 9512 (National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of
2008)
- The Republic Act No. 9512, or the National Environmental Awareness and Education
Act of 2008, articulates that the state shall promote national awareness of the role of
natural resources in economic growth and the importance of environmental conservation
and ecological balance towards sustained national development.
MDG 8 - The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were
adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect
the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
- The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes
in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental
sustainability.
MDGs ATTAINMENT THROUGH RIGHT-BASED APPROACH DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
1. Feeding Programs
2. Daycare Center
3. All Gender Pageantry
4. Libreng Bakuna
5. Barangay Health Centers (BHCs)
6. Free test kits and contraceptives
7. Weekly Clean-up Drive
8. Inter-Agency Collaboration