ETHICS AND

ACCOUNTABILITY IN
THE PUBLIC SERVICE

By: Micaella Estrada

 Accountability in Public Governance

● Accountability in public governance refers to the responsibility and

answerability of individuals, organizations, and institutions involved in the
public sector to perform their duties, exercise their powers, and use public
resources in a transparent, efficient, and ethical manner. It involves the
obligation to provide justifications and explanations for actions, decisions, and
outcomes, as well as to accept the consequences of their performance or
misconduct.
 Examples of Accountability in Public Governance

• Financial Accountability: This involves the proper management and utilization of public
funds.

• Transparency and Information Disclosure: Public officials and institutions are expected
to provide transparent and accessible information to the public.

• Independent Oversight Institutions: Institutions like the Ombudsman, Commission on

Audit, and Civil Service Commission in the Philippines serve as independent bodies
that investigate and address complaints of corruption, misconduct, and
maladministration by public officials.

• Legal and Judicial Accountability: The rule of law ensures that public officials and
institutions are accountable for their actions and decisions. Legal mechanisms, such as
administrative and criminal proceedings, ensure that those who violate laws or engage
in corruption face legal consequences.
 Rationale Behind Public Accountability
• Combating Corruption
• Strengthening Democratic Governance
• Enhancing Service Delivery
• Building Public Trust
• Promoting Good Governance
• Encouraging Economic Development
• Ensuring Social Justice
Constitutional Provision that keep Public Officials in Check
• The separation of powers: The Constitution divides the government into three
branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. This separation of powers is
designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

• The system of checks and balances: The Constitution gives each branch of
government the power to check the power of the other branches.

• The Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights guarantees certain fundamental rights and
freedoms to all Filipinos, including the right to free speech, the right to assemble, and
the right to due process of law. These rights can be used to hold public officials
accountable for their actions.
Constitutional Provision that keep Public Officials in Check

• The Ombudsman: The Ombudsman is an independent body that investigates

complaints against public officials. The Ombudsman can recommend disciplinary
action, including removal from office, against public officials who have been found
to have violated the law or the Constitution.

• The Sandiganbayan: The Sandiganbayan is a special court that hears cases involving
corruption and other crimes committed by public officials. The Sandiganbayan can
impose heavy fines and imprisonment on public officials who have been found guilty
of corruption.
 Transparency and Accountability in Public
Governance

• Transparency: Transparency refers to the openness and

accessibility of information, actions, and decision-making
processes in the public sector.

• Accountability: Accountability is the obligation and

responsibility of public officials to justify their actions,
decisions, and use of public resources. It involves answering
for one's actions and being liable for the consequences of
those actions.
 Transparency Seal in Different Government
Agencies

The Transparency Seal is a symbol of a policy shift towards openness in access to government
information. It is a requirement under Republic Act No. 10633, otherwise known as the
General Appropriations Act of 2014. The law mandates all national government agencies to
maintain a Transparency Seal on their official websites.
The Transparency Seal must contain the following information:

• The agency's name

• The agency's contact information
• A list of the agency's public services
• A link to the agency's annual report
• A link to the agency's procurement plan
• A link to the agency's budget
 Examples of Transparency Seal in Government
Websites

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Transparency Seal: The DBM Transparency Seal is a
symbol of a policy shift towards openness in access to government information. It is a requirement under
Republic Act No. 10633, otherwise known as the General Appropriations Act of 2014. The law mandates
all national government agencies to maintain a Transparency Seal on their official websites.
 Examples of Transparency Seal in Government
Websites

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Transparency Seal: The PSA Transparency Seal is a symbol of a
commitment to transparency and accountability. It is a requirement under Republic Act No. 10625,
otherwise known as the Philippine Statistics Act of 2013. The law mandates the PSA to maintain a
Transparency Seal on its official website.
 Examples of Transparency Seal in Government
Websites

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) Transparency Seal: The NPC Transparency Seal is a symbol of a
commitment to transparency and accountability in the handling of personal information. It is a requirement
under Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The law mandates the
NPC to maintain a Transparency Seal on its official website.
 END.

THANK YOU!!!