Accountability and the Nature of Government

Vocabulary-style flashcards based on lecture notes covering the nature of government, social contract theory, and Philippine constitutional provisions and laws regarding public accountability.

Government (American Heritage Dictionary)

The agency or apparatus through which a governing individual or body functions and exercises authority.

Nature of Government (James Harrington)

An art whereby a civil society of men is instituted and preserved upon the foundation of common interest; described as the empire of laws and not of men.

Social Contract Theory (Richard Hooker)

The idea that society results from a contract and government is based on consent, given by an individual or by his representative or ancestor.

Public Office (Sect 1, Art XI, Phil. Const.)

Defined as a public trust, requiring public officers to be accountable to the people and serve with responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency.

Official Public Policy Makers

The official group consists of the Legislative, Executive, and the Courts.

Unofficial Public Policy Makers

Groups including Interest-groups, Political Parties, and Individual Citizens.

Accountability (COA 1983 definition)

Holding people answerable for doing specific things according to plans, accomplishing performance results, and controlling/accounting for expenditures.

General Accountability

A form of accountability involving answerability for action, sanctions, revocation of mandate, and being subject to public scrutiny and citizen participation.

Fiscal Accountability

Accountability guided by applicable policies and a duly approved budget to support strategic plans for sustainable economic development.

Managerial Accountability

The observance of rules and appropriate use of discretion to achieve service delivery within specified cost, quality, and time schedules.

Traditional Style of Accountability

A hierarchical flow described by Mohammad H. Zarei as: Parliament to Ministers to Top Officials to Civil Servants.

Accountability for Lawyers

An instrument of control to keep administrators within laws, rules, and regulations, serving the principle of the rule of law.

Accountability for Politicians

A necessity to maintain political values, party loyalty, public opinions, and constitutional principles such as separation of powers.

Collective Unreliability

A form of ministerial unreliability noted by Jean Blondel where approved policies are not implemented.

Ministerial Unreliability (Positive form)

A situation where ministers embark on their own policies or contradict approved policies.

Public Accountability (Mario D. Yango)

The evaluation of the actions of both elective and appointive public officials in accordance with standards for their position.

Administrative Accountability

Evaluation applied to appointed career government officials regarding whether they performed responsively, efficiently, and effectively.

Agencies Enforcing Public Accountability (Philippines)

Includes the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Office of the Ombudsman, Special Courts, Office of the President, and Congress.

P.D. 1445

The Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.

R.A. No. 3019

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

R.A. No. 6713

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

IUEEU (COA Cir. 85-55A)

A mnemonic for COA audit concerns standing for: Irregular, Unnecessary, Excessive, Extravagant, and Unconscionable.

Section 3(g) of R.A. 3019

Entering into a contract or transaction on behalf of the Government that is manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the same.

Citizen’s Charter

Written service standards detailing procedures, responsible persons, maximum time, documents, fees, and complaint procedures for each office.

R.A. No. 9485

Known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

Premchand’s Qualities for Accountability

Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, and Honesty and Leadership.