Practices in Public Sector

Governance
 Public Sector Governance

a properly governed public sector can contribute

immensely towards both improving the lives of its
citizens and using resources more efficiently.
Therefore governments’ pursuit of effective public
sector governance is of critical importance.
-APEC 2011
 Public Sector Governance

a properly governed public sector can contribute

immensely towards both improving the lives of its
citizens and using resources more efficiently.
Therefore governments’ pursuit of effective public
sector governance is of critical importance.
-APEC 2011
Six principles of good public sector governance
1. Rule of Law
2. Transparency/Openness
3. Accountability
4. Public sector ethics and probity
5. Stewardship
6. Leadership
 Rule of Law
- individuals and government submit to, obey, and
are regulated by law, and not arbitrary action by
an individual or a group of individuals

- The rule of law entails fair legal frameworks,

enforced impartially by an independent judiciary
and an incorruptible police force
 Rule of Law
- It provides the checks and balances to minimize the
opportunities for the abuse of power by government
officials in order to promote their own interests and those
of their friends at the expense of the public interest
 Transparency/Openness
- The principle of transparency or ‘openness’ in government
responds to the citizens’ right to have access to information
about what the government is doing and how decisions
have been reached

- In this regard, government officials should be as open as

possible about their decisions, actions and transactions,
providing reasons for them.
 Transparency/Openness
- Openness at all levels within government to effective
public scrutiny and oversight helps to ensure a well-
functioning public sector and engenders public confidence
in the government.
 Accountability
- Accountability (in the public sector) is the process whereby
public sector entities, and the individuals within them, take
responsibility for their decisions and actions, including their
stewardship of public funds and all aspects of performance,
and submit themselves to appropriate external scrutiny.

- Accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and

the rule of law
 Public sector ethics and probity
- The principle of public sector ethics and probity calls for public
officials to adhere to a set of moral principles, standards, or
values that govern their conduct, and to act with complete
honesty and integrity.

- the decisions and actions made by public officials should be

undertaken in such a way that they will be perceived as correct by
the general public.
 Stewardship
- The principle of stewardship in the public sector refers to
government officials carefully managing the power and
resources entrusted to them in a manner that is consistent with
the public interest.

- public officials must act as “stewards” instead of “masters” and

treat the resources to which they have been entrusted as those of
the public and not their own. They must also act prude
 Leadership
- The principle of leadership in the public sector refers
to setting the “tone at the top”, whereby leaders
within the public service promote and support the
principles of good public sector governance by
leadership and example.
Norms of Conduct of Public
Officials and Employees
(Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6713)
COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC
INTEREST
 Public officials and employees shall always
uphold the public interest over and above
personal interest.
PROFESSIONALISM
 Public officials and employees shall perform
and discharge their duties with the highest
degree of excellence, professionalism,
intelligence and skill.
 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.
 POLITICAL NEUTRALITY
 Public officials and employees shall provide
service to everyone without unfair
discrimination and regardless of party affiliation
or preference.
COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC
INTEREST
 Public officials and employees shall always
uphold the public interest over and above
personal interest.
RESPONSIVENESS TO THE
PUBLIC
 Public officials and employees shall extend
prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the
public.
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.
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.
 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.
Duties of Public Officials
and Employees
(Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6713)
Duties of Public Officials and
Employees
 Act promptly on letters and requests
   Submit annual performance reports. 
 Process documents and papers expeditiously.
 Act immediately on the public's personal
transactions
 Make documents accessible to the public.
Prohibited Acts and
Transactions
(Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6713)
Prohibited Acts and Transactions
◉Financial and material interest.
◉Outside employment and other activities related
thereto.
◉Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential
information.
◉Solicitation or acceptance of gifts.