MODULE 3 SESSION 1

Code of Conduct &

Ethical Standards
 MODULE 3 SESSION 1
Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards

I. FACILITATOR
A mature individual who is familiar with the Code of Conduct and Ethical
Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act number 6173 of
1989 February 20), as well as with its implementing rules and regulations (1989
April 21); an individual who will be able to establish rapport with and
communicate effectively with the participants he will be handling.

II. OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, the participant will be able to:
a. enumerate the duties of SK officials as public officials;
b. enumerate prohibited acts and transactions for public officials; and
c. describe the values that public officials and youth leaders should
possess.

III. TOPIC AND COVERAGE

A. Topic
Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards

B. Coverage
1. Duties of SK officials as public officials
2. Prohibited acts and transactions for public officials
3. Values that public officials and youth leaders should possess
4. Introduction to:
a. The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees (RA 6173 of 1989)
b. IRR of RA 6173 of 1989

C. Key Concepts

1. It is the policy of the State to promote a high standard of ethics in

public service. Public officials and employees shall at all times be
accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with
utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and loyalty, act with
patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold public interest
over personal interest.

2. "Public Officials" includes elective and appointive officials and

employees, permanent or temporary, whether in the career or non-
career service, including military and police personnel, whether or not
they receive compensation, regardless of amount.

3. The core values that every government employee or official must

possess are Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan, Makabansa and
Malikhain.

4. Republic Act No. 6713 of 1989 otherwise known as the Code of

Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees is a
comprehensive law which provides for the norms of conduct, duties as
well as prohibited acts and transactions among government
personnel.

5. SK Officials should be familiar with RA 6713 because as elected or

appointed government officials, they are also bound by its provisions.
D. Materials
1. For facilitator (at least a week before day of session):
a. SK OM
b. Printout of RA 6713 and its IRR

2. At venue:
a. Feedback form
b. Paper / cards for participants to write questions, remarks on
c. Slides on Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards (Powerpoint for use
by facilitator)
d. Screen, projector, computer, laser pointer for use by facilitator
e. Flipchart paper, whiteboard markers and eraser

3. For participant (at venue upon registration):

a. SK OM
 IV. PROCEDURES

FACILITATOR’S ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS’ ACTIVITY POWERPOINT PREVIEW

A. Motivation
Scenario Activity

Greets the participants.

I will be flashing scenarios on screen. Analyze the In each barangay group,

scenarios and as a barangay group, formulate an participants will analyze each
answer to the dilemma. scenario, and reach
agreement on how to resolve
the dilemma.

Slide: Scenario 2

Slide: Scenario 1
B. Presentation
As public officials and decision makers, we will be
facing moral dilemmas very often. Sometimes it
becomes very difficult to come up with a decision
especially if you have no basis or guidelines.
However, in the Philippines, there is a law that sets
the basic standards and guiding principles on our
day to day conduct as public servants.

What do you think is this law? Republic Act No. 6713 also
known as The Code of
Conduct and Ethical
Standards for Public Officials
and Employees
Before we discuss your answers to the dilemma, let
us first look into our core values as Filipinos, and
the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards
which should be strictly observed by all
government officials and employees.

Why is it important that you, as SK Officials, know The State promotes a high
these core values and ethical standards? standard of ethics in public
service. Hence, as SK officials,
we need to be familiar with
the demands and
expectations inherent to our
positions which includes our
code of conduct and ethical
standards so that we may be
able to serve our constituents
to the fullest. Slide: “Declaration of Policies
C. Abstraction and Conceptualization
Introducing the Filipino Core Values

Let us first look into the core values that we have SK officials are expected to
to possess as civil servants, you may refer at your embody and live with the
SK Operations Manual. What are the values which values that public officials and
you should embody as SK officials? youth leaders must possess,
such as the Maka-Diyos;
Makatao; Makakalikasan;
Makabansa; and Malikhain.
Slide: Filipino Core Values (section header)

Discussion of Filipino Core Values

A. Maka-Diyos

Reads or asks a participant to read the definition.

Ask: Can you give a situation where you can One participant shares insights
embody the core value of Maka-Diyos as an SK on the question. (Note: Pay
Official? close attention to the answer
given by the participant. Give Slide: Maka-Diyos
Expresses one’s spiritual beliefs while respecting the spiritual beliefs
feedback to ensure that the
of others.
response is aligned with the
value being discussed.) (definition from DepEd Order No. 08, s. 2015)
 B. Makatao

Reads or asks a participant to read the definition.

Ask: Can you give a situation where you can

embody the core value of Makatao as an SK One participant shares insights
Official? on the question. (Note: Pay
close attention to the answer
given by the participant. Give
feedback to ensure that the
response is aligned with the Slide: Makatao
value being discussed.) Is being sensitive to individual, social, and cultural differences. It
demonstrates contributions toward solidarity

(definition from DepEd Order No. 08, s. 2015)

C. Makakalikasan

Reads or asks a participant to read the definition.

Ask: Can you give a situation where you can

exhibit the core value of Makakalikasan as an SK One participant shares insights
Official? on the question. (Note: Pay
close attention to the answer
given by the participant. Give
feedback to ensure that the
response is aligned with the Slide: Makakalikasan
value being discussed.) Cares for the environment and utilizes resources wisely, judiciously,
economically.

(definition from DepEd Order No. 08, s. 2015)

 D. Makabansa

Reads or asks a participant to read the definition.

Ask: Can you give a situation where you can

embody the core value of Makabansa as an SK One participant shares insights
Official? on the question. (Note: Pay
close attention to the answer
given by the participant. Give
feedback to ensure that the
response is aligned with the Slide: Makabansa
value being discussed.) Demonstrates pride in being a Filipino; exercises the rights and
responsibilities of a Filipino citizen. Demonstrates appropriate
behavior in carrying out activities in the school, community, and
country.

(definition from DepEd Order No. 08, s. 2015)

E. Malikhain

Reads or asks a participant to read the definition.

Ask: Can you give a situation where you can

embody the core value of Malikhain as an SK One participant shares insights
Official? on the question. (Note: Pay
close attention to the answer
given by the participant. Give
feedback to ensure that the
response is aligned with the Slide: Malikhain
value being discussed.) Having or showing an ability to innovate or make new things and
think of new ideas.
Introduce RA 6713

Ask: Aside from the Filipino core values, there is It is Republic Act No. 6713 also
actually a law prescribing the code of conduct known as the Code of
and ethical standards of government officials and Conduct and Ethical
employees. Again, what law or Republic Act is Standards for Public Officials
this? and Employees.

Republic Act No. 6713 provides guidelines on how

public officials, including SK officials, are expected
to conduct themselves. Whatever an official‘s
position is, and whether he is elected or
appointed, this code applies to him.

A. Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and

Employees (Section 4)

Let us look into the Norms of Conduct of Public For each norm, one barangay
Officials and Employees. This time, I will be asking group will share their
each barangay group to share your understanding or experience
understanding or experience about each norm. relative to the norm. Then, the
facilitator may entertain one
or two follow up questions or
comments. Slide: Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees (section
header)
Commitment to public interest. - Public officials
and employees shall always uphold the public One barangay group will
interest over and above personal interest. All share their understanding or
government resources and powers of their experience relative to the
respective offices must be employed and used norm.
efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically,
particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and
revenues.
Slide: Commitment to public interest
Professionalism. - Public officials and employees One barangay group will
shall perform and discharge their duties with the share their understanding or
highest degree of excellence, professionalism, experience relative to the
intelligence and skill. They shall enter public norm.
service with utmost devotion and dedication to
duty. They shall endeavor to discourage wrong
perceptions of their roles as dispensers or peddlers
of undue patronage.

Slide: Professionalism

Justness and sincerity. - Public officials and One barangay group will
employees shall remain true to the people at all share their understanding or
times. They must act with justness and sincerity experience relative to the
and shall not discriminate against anyone, norm.
especially the poor and the underprivileged. They
shall at all times 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 Slide: Justness and sincerity
their office to their relatives whether by
consanguinity or affinity except with respect to
appointments of such relatives to positions
considered strictly confidential or as members of
their personal staff whose terms are coterminous
with theirs.

Political neutrality. - Public officials and employees One barangay group will
shall provide service to everyone without unfair share their understanding or
discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or experience relative to the
preference. norm.

Slide: Political neutrality

Responsiveness to the public. - Public officials and One barangay group will
employees shall extend prompt, courteous, and share their understanding or
adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise experience relative to the
provided by law or when required by the public norm.
interest, public officials and employees shall
provide information of their policies and
procedures in clear and understandable
language, ensure openness of information, public
consultations and hearings whenever
appropriate, encourage suggestions, simplify and Slide: Responsiveness to the public
systematize policy, rules and procedures, avoid
red tape and develop an understanding and
appreciation of the socio-economic conditions
prevailing in the country, especially in the
depressed rural and urban areas.
Nationalism and patriotism. - Public officials and One barangay group will
employees shall at all times be loyal to the share their understanding or
Republic and to the Filipino people, promote the experience relative to the
use of locally produced goods, resources and norm.
technology and encourage appreciation and
pride of country and people. They shall endeavor
to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty
against foreign intrusion.

Slide: Nationalism and patriotism

Commitment to democracy. - Public officials and One barangay group will

employees shall commit themselves to the share their understanding or
democratic way of life and values, maintain the experience relative to the
principle of public accountability, and manifest by norm.
deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the
military. They shall at all times uphold the
Constitution and put loyalty to country above
loyalty to persons or party.
Slide: Commitment to democracy

Simple living. - Public officials and employees and One barangay group will
their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to share their understanding or
their positions and income. They shall not indulge experience relative to the
in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in norm.
any form.

Slide: Simple living

 B. Duties of Public Officials and Employees
(Section 5)

According to RA 6713 and your OM, what are the The duties of public officials Duties of Public Officials and Employees (Title)
six duties of a public official or employee? and employees are to act
promptly, attend to anyone
who wants to avail of his/her
services, submit reports on
time, process documents and
papers promptly, be
accountable, and be
transparent.

Slide:
Duties of Public Officials and Employees
1. Act promptly
What does it mean to “act promptly”? How can 1 participant will answer. 2. Attend to anyone who wants to avail of his/her services
we demonstrate this? Can you give an illustrative 3. Submit reports on time
example which you may encounter from your day 4. Process documents and papers promptly
to day. 5. Be accountable
6. Be transparent

All applications and/or requests — from the date

the request or application is received — shall be
acted upon by the assigned officer or employee
within the period stated in the Citizen's Charter
which shall not be longer than five (5) working
days in the case of simple transactions and ten
(10) working days in the case of complex
transactions.

What is the difference between a simple Simple Transactions – refer to

transaction and a complex transaction? What requests or applications
does your SK OM Glossary say? submitted by clients and
deemed by a receiving
government office or agency
as only requiring ministerial
action or as involving only
inconsequential issues for
resolution by an officer or
employee of the said
government office or agency.
On the other hand, complex
Transactions – refer to requests
or applications — submitted
by clients and deemed
complex by a receiving
government office or agency
— which transactions must be
handled with discretion in their
resolution.

The second one is to submit annual performance

reports. All heads or other responsible officers of
offices and agencies of the government –owned
or controlled corporations shall, within forty-five
(45) working days from the end of the year, render
a performance report of the agency or office or
corporation concerned. Such reports shall be
open and available to the public within regular
office hours.

What is the third one? Process documents and

papers expeditiously.
When we say we need to process documents and
papers expeditiously, all official papers and
documents must be processed and competed
within reasonable time from the preparation
thereof.

Next is for us to act immediately on the public's 1 participant will share his/her
personal transactions. All public officials and response.
employees must attend to anyone who wants to
avail himself of the services of their offices and
must, at all times, act promptly and expeditiously.
We should not discriminate or choose only the
people we want to serve. Can someone give an
illustrative example?

Lastly we need to make documents accessible to 1 participant will answer.

the public. All public documents must be made
accessible to, and readily available for inspection
by, the public within reasonable working hours.
Why do you think this is important?
 C. Prohibited Acts and Transactions

RA 6713 also identifies the prohibited acts for

public officials and employees. There are four
main acts or transactions with more specific
prohibition under each one of them. Let us go
through them one by one.

What is the first prohibition?

Public officials and employees shall not, directly The first prohibition is having Slide: Prohibited Acts and Transactions
or indirectly, have any financial or material financial or material interests.
interest in any transaction requiring the approval
of their office.

You may relate this to scenario number one in our

activity. Remember that indirect financial or
material interest is prohibited and considered
unlawful.
Slide: Prohibited Acts and Transactions
What is the second prohibition? The second prohibition is  Financial and material interests
having outside employment  Outside employment and other activities related thereto.
and other activities related  Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information.
During your incumbency, you should not: thereto.  Solicitation or acceptance of gifts.
a) own, control, manage or accept employment
in any private enterprise regulated, supervised or
licensed by your office unless expressly allowed by
law;

b)engage in the private practice of your

profession unless authorized by the Constitution or
law, provided that such practice will not conflict
or tend to conflict with their official functions;
c) recommend any person to any position to any
private enterprise which has a regular or pending
official transaction with your office.

The important question we have to ask is, are you Yes, we are allowed by law to
as SK officials allowed to be employed privately? be privately employed as long
as we will still be able to
attend to our duties and
Under Section 90 of 7160: Practice of Profession. responsibilities as SK officials.

(a) All governors, city and municipal mayors are

prohibited from practicing their profession or
engaging in any occupation other than the
exercise of their functions as local chief
executives.

(b) Sanggunian members may practice their

professions, engage in any occupation, or teach
in schools except during session hours: Provided,
That sanggunian members who are also members
of the Bar shall not:

(1) Appear as counsel before any court in any civil

case wherein a local government unit or any
office, agency, or instrumentality of the
government is the adverse party;

(2) Appear as counsel in any criminal case

wherein an officer or employee of the national or
local government is accused of an offense
committed in relation to his office.

(3) Collect any fee for their appearance in

administrative proceedings involving the local
government unit of which he is an official; and

(4) Use property and personnel of the government

except when the sanggunian member
concerned is defending the interest of the
government.

(c) Doctors of medicine may practice their

profession even during official hours of work only
on occasions of emergency: Provided, That the
officials concerned do not derive monetary
compensation therefrom.

We now go to the third which is Disclosure and/or

misuse of confidential information. Private officials
and employees shall not use or divulge,
confidential or classified information officially
known to them by reason of their office and not
made available to the public either:
a. To further their private interests, or give
undue advantage to anyone; or
b. To prejudice the public interest.

And lastly, Solicitation of gifts. Public officials and

employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or
indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment,
loan or anything of monetary value from any
person in the course of their official duties or in
connection with any operation being regulated
by, or any transaction which may be affected by
the function of their office.
D. Wrapping-up
Let us look again into your answers in the
dilemmas and scenarios in the first activity.

Will somebody read the first scenario?

Scenario 1:
Because you have a limited
budget, you wanted to have
a supplier which can give you
the goods at the lowest
possible price. Since your Slide: Wrap up
family runs a department store
which can give you big
discounts and freebies, your
mother suggested that you
get your department store as
Who will volunteer to share their answer in front? official supplier. Will you
accept your mother‘s offer?
Those of you who have the same answer as this
group that presented, raise your hand. A group will share its answer to
scenario 1.
Slide:
Raise of hands. Scenario 1:

Because you have a limited budget, you wanted to have a supplier

which can give you the goods at the lowest possible price. Since
your family runs a department store which can give you big
discounts and freebies, your mother suggested that you get your
department store as official supplier. Will you accept your mother’s
offer?
Who will read scenario 2 out loud? Scenario 2:
During a meeting with the
Katipunan ng Kabataan, an
issue regarding anomalous
transactions was raised. A KK
member demanded you to
show them the financial
statements of the project right
away. The financial
statements are available but Slide:
Scenario 2:
you have not yet seen them.
Will you present the During a meeting with the Katipunan ng Kabataan, an issue
documents during the regarding anomalous transactions was raised. A KK member
meeting? demanded you to show them the financial statements of the
project right away. The financial statements are available but you
Who will volunteer to share their answer in front? A group will share its answer to have not yet seen them. Will you present the documents during the
scenario 2. meeting?
Those of you who have the same answer as this
group that presented, raise your hand.

Mind Mapping

Each barangay group shall be provided with a

Manila paper to be used for mind mapping or
concept mapping.

The mind map shall be partially completed at the

end of each session.

After each session, the barangay group will add

to the mind map a representation of they learned
or reflected on during the session.
The group is allowed to be as creative as they
wish to be. You may use texts, symbols, arrows and
other elements to convey your message in a
concise manner.

Each session‘s portion is expected to be finished in

10 minutes.

Mind Mapping Guide Questions:

a. What are the duties of SK officials as public

officials?
b. What are the acts and transactions that public
officials are prohibited from engaging in?
c. What are the values that public officials and
youth leaders should possess?
E. Q & A

F. Post-Session
Participants requested to fill up feedback forms