Ethics and Accountability in Public Administration

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to ethics and accountability in public administration.

Corruption

An abuse of entrusted power for private gain.

Corruption Perception Index (CPI)

Ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption based on expert assessments and opinion surveys.

RA 6713

The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees in the Philippines.

Ombudsman

An independent office created by the Constitution responsible for investigating and prosecuting government officials accused of crimes.

Impeachment

A method to remove officials from office based on violations such as treason, bribery, graft, and corruption.

SALN

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, required for public officials to disclose their financial interests.

Political Neutrality

The expectation that public officials and employees will not discriminate based on political beliefs or ideology.

Professionalism

The competency and ethical conduct expected from government employees akin to private industry standards.

Public Interest

The obligation of public officials and employees to prioritize the welfare of the community over personal gains.

Simple Living

Expectations that public servants maintain a lifestyle proportional to their salary without extravagance.

Penalties for Violations

Consequences such as fines, suspension, or removal for public officials who violate the Code of Conduct.

System of Incentives and Rewards

Program to reward outstanding public officials and employees based on performance reports.

Duties of public officials and employees

• Act promptly on letters and requests: Government employees are required within 15 working days to reply to letters, emails, phone calls, etc. Must contain the action taken on the request

• Submit annual performance reports: 45 working days from the end of the year, government offices are required to submit annual performance reports as a basis to check the performance of each office and to select outstanding officials and employees. These reports are available for public viewing

• Process documents and papers expeditiously: All official documents and papers must be processed and completed at a reasonable timeframe. No more than 3 signatories are required and if that signatory is absent, the next officer would sign on his behalf.

• Act immediately on the public’s personal transactions: Government employees must attend to the public at all times.

• Make documents accessible to the public: Non confidential documents should be available for inspection by the public within working hours.

Act promptly on letters and requests:

• Government employees are required within 15 working days to reply to letters, emails, phone calls, etc. Must contain the action taken on the request

submit annual performance reports

• 45 working days from the end of the year, government offices are required to submit annual performance reports as a basis to check the performance of each office and to select outstanding officials and employees. These reports are available for public viewing

process documents and papers expeditiously

All official documents and papers must be processed and completed in a timely manner, with no more than three signatories required. If a signatory is absent, the next officer may sign on their behalf.

Act immediately on the public’s personal transactions:

Government employees must act without delay on personal transactions, ensuring timely service and adherence to applicable laws and regulations.

Make documents accessible to the public:

Government agencies are required to ensure that all relevant documents and records are made readily available to the public, promoting transparency and accountability.

incentives and rewards

are mechanisms used to encourage desirable behavior among public employees, fostering motivation and enhancing performance in public service.

The committee supervising this is the Committee on Awards to Outstanding Public Officials and Employees. They are composed of the following;

• Ombudsman and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission as Co-Chairmen. 

• Chairman of the Commission on Audit and 2 Government employees selected by the President of the Philippines as Members.

Conferment of awards shall take into account the following:

• Years of service

• Quality and consistency of performance

• Obscurity of the position

• Level of salary

• Unique and exemplary quality of a certain achievement

• Risks or temptations inherent in the work

Incentives and rewards may take the form of the following

1. Bonuses 

2. Citations 

3. Directorships in Government Owned and Controlled Corporations 

4. Local and Foreign scholarship grants 

5. Paid Vacations 

Prohibited Acts and Transactions 

Actions that conflict with ethical standards in public service, including corruption, bribery, nepotism, and other unethical conduct that undermines public trust and accountability.

financial and material interest

1. Public officials and employees cannot have financial or material interest in their office, whether directly or indirectly.

Outside employment and other activities related thereto

Employment outside the public sector that may affect or conflict with a public official's duties, including consulting, teaching, or any other business activities that could impair impartiality.

Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information

The act of revealing or improperly using sensitive information obtained through one's official position, which may compromise public trust and violate ethical standards.

Solicitation or acceptance of gifts:

Officials and Employees cannot accept gifts during working hours and if it involves their office. It is considered a form of bribery.

Statements and Disclosure

Written reports or declarations submitted by public officials to disclose financial interests, potential conflicts of interest, or any other relevant information that promotes transparency and accountability.

whose saln must be published?

1.President

2.Vice President

3.Cabinet Members

4.Philippine Congress

5.Supreme court

6.Constitutional Commissions (CSC, COMELEC, COA)

7.Constitutional Offices

8.AFP officers with general or flag rank

what must saln contain

1. Real property, its improvements, Acquisition Costs, Assessed value and Fair Market Value

2. Personal property and acquisition cost

3. all other assets such as investments, cash on hand or in banks, stocks, bonds, and the like

4. Liabilities

5. all business interests and financial connections

Violations of Sections 7, 8 and 9 (Prohibited acts and transactions, Statements and Disclosures and Divestment respectively)

are subjected to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding 5000 pesos or both, and by the discretion of the court, disqualified from holding public office.

officials that can be impeached are?

1. President

2. Vice President

3. Members of the Supreme Court

4. Members of the Constitutional Commissions

5. Ombudsman

They can be impeached for the following reasons, known as the Articles of Impeachment, if a complaint passes through:

1. Culpable violation of the Constitution

2. Treason

3. Bribery

4. Graft and Corruption

5. High Crimes

6. Betrayal of public trust

. If an impeachment complaint or resolution is filed by at least one-third (1/3) of all members of the House, the Articles of Impeachment shall be sent to the Senate for Trial - Article 2, Section 3, Paragraph

FAST TRACK PROCEDURE

 Each Congress (the present Congress is the 15th of the Republic) adopts its rules for impeachment for each chamber. The House of Representatives adopts its rules, while the Senate adopts its rules for impeachment trials

NORMAL PROCEDURE

Ombudsman

An independent official appointed to investigate complaints against public officials and ensure accountability and transparency in government actions. made by constitution

Requirements for the Ombudsman and the Deputies

1.Natural born Filipino citizens

2.40 years old at the time of appointment

3.Recognized probity and independence

4.Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines

5.Not have been a candidate for any elective office in the preceding

elections

6.10 years experience of being a judge or practiced law in the Philippines