CASE STUDY #1

AN ISLAND FIRESTORM

If I were the official concerned in this particular case, after knowing the

findings of the chemist that the waters of the island contained a high number of

coliform and that the waters of the island is not safe for swimming, I would be a

responsible public official and would let the public know of the real situation in the

island.

As a public official, our role is for the common good of the people and a

cover up of the real situation would just worsen the problem. Telling lies and

covering up that the waters in the island is safe for swimming would just make the

matters worst, instead we must find a solution to the present problem. Although it

will have a negative effect on the tourism industry particularly the tourism in the

island, but it is the right thing to do, inform the public.

We should always bear in mind that once in public service, we should be

committed to our work and put our heart on it, and all that we do is for the

common good. It is not just our job, but as a human being we should have a

conscience, if I know that the waters in the island is not safe, I will not let

anybody’s life be jeopardized just so that the tourism industry will not suffer. For

MP19 Page 1
in the long run if there would be a cover up, its not just the tourism industry of the

island that would suffer but it will have a domino effect, the whole country’s

tourism industry will suffer and all the public officials are liable for it. As a public

official, we must be dedicated and devoted to our duties and must refrain from

doing acts which are contrary to law and public policy.

MP19 Page 2
 CASE STUDY #2

WANTED: DEAD HEROES

Placing myself in Rick’s shoes or situation, I will not allow Alonzo and his

men with three truckloads of freshly-cut flitches pass through my post considering

the fact that we are outnumbered. I would ask Colonel Alonzo politely to turn over

to us the three truckloads of flitches and will put some sense into him. Considering

his position in the government, he is accountable to the people and his duty is to

protect and uphold the interest of the public, but in this case it is the other way

around.

Illegal logging is a big threat to our biodiversity and is an obstacle for a

sustainable development of our country. The reasoning of Colonel Alonzo is

misplaced. Yes, helping their dead comrades family is a noble act but if the source

of that fund came from an illegal act, would it still be a noble one? Destroying our

environment in exchange of helping a few is wrong, plain and simple. Why can’t

they go to the proper authorities to ask for assistance for the families of their dead

comrades?

Forests are important natural resources of our country and must be preserved

and conserved for the future generations. Our duty as a public official and

MP19 Page 3
employees of the government is to protect our natural resources from destruction.

Putting myself in Rick’s shoes, I will not let them pass even if my life will be put

in danger and I will be a dead hero. I have to do my job and protect the interests of

the future generations.

MP19 Page 4
 CASE STUDY #3

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

I agree with Glenda on the matter that she will go thru the proper channel,

the Director or the Department Secretary. But if it falls on deaf ears and going to

Senator Enriquez or the Press is the other remedy.

In this particular case, the superiors of Glenda are the ones ordering her to

prepare some paperworks to justify allowing the ACME mining company to start

an open-pit mining despite the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment

Clearance or EIA, and it is against her will and principles. Glenda knows the

environmental impact is not minimal, and if she obeys her superiors it would be

detrimental to our environment and our society.

Whistle blowing to the media is acceptable as whistle blowing to an elected

official, if there is no other recourse but to expose the wrongdoings of some people

in the government who are supposed to protect the public. The media can help

expose the matter to the public so that everybody would be informed especially it

would reach the proper authorities and the officials involved in those illegal

transactions would refrain and eventually stop from doing what is not legal and

moral.

MP19 Page 5
 CASE STUDY #4

PICK ME UP

In the present situation that Ronnie is in, if I were in his shoes…I would

look for the contact information of Ms. Santos and will politely talk to her that it is

not our policy and especially not on my principles as a government employee to

receive gifts or incentives from clients. I would explain to her that as a government

employee, I am doing my job and committed to the interest of the public, did it

with justness and sincerity and there is no need to give me a gift or any monetary

consideration in exchange of what I did.

It is a well entrenched rule in government service that we are committed to

public interest and not for our personal gain. If Ronnie is in a quandary of this

present predicament, it is a normal reaction of a person, but he should act in a

manner that is fair, just, legal and moral and especially what his conscience

dictates.

MP19 Page 6
 CASE STUDY #5

BRING HOME GOODIES

Cynthia’s side is the path I’m going to take. As a person who is raised in a

family whose principles is based on honesty, I would not exchange my principles

and the name that my family has built and we always protect be tainted with

dishonesty and wrongdoings, whether how small it is or how big it may be.

Although many would side with Mely for practicality, it cannot be an

accepted norm in our society and especially in public service that “many are doing

it, so why can’t we?”. Stealing is getting what is not yours irregardless of the

amount. I live by my family’s motto, “Be honest even if others are not, even if

others will not, even if others cannot”. Therefore, the actions of a government

employee is also based on his/her ideals, principles and what his/her conscience

dictates, but must always bear in mind that public service is public trust.

All government employees must adhere to the principle that once we enter

government service we must observe the norms of conduct, commitment to the

interest of the public, observe professionalism, justness and sincerity, political

neutrality, responsiveness to the public, nationalism and patriotism, commitment to

MP19 Page 7
democracy and simple living. We do not enter government service to unjustly

enrich ourselves to the detriment of the public.

MP19 Page 8
 CASE STUDY #6

MORE THAN JUST CASINOS

What is legal is not automatically moral. Gambling is a moral issue for many

people, it brings more harm to a society than the benefits they generate. It is

socially harmful for the reason that a large number of gamblers comes from the

poorest segment of our society. Gambling leads to an addiction and this addiction

destroys families, marriages and crime rate increases.

Virtues like saving, hard work and investing wisely are all undermined by

this addiction to gambling. It also teaches people the deception that wealth can be

acquired without working for it. It is a game of chance that takes without giving

value in return. Gambling puts money or other things of value into a pool and then

redistributes it on the basis of a roll of the dice, a spin of the wheel or a drawing of

a number. Nothing of value is produced in the process.

There is no doubt that PAGCOR helps the government in nation building but

on the other hand it has its downside. Gambling is regressive – poor people gamble

more than rich people, it is addictive and there is a moral dilemma. The message is

that you don’t have to work hard to succeed; all you have is to be a little lucky.

MP19 Page 9
 CASE STUDY #7

I CAN AFFORD ANYWAY

If I were this employee, I would not agree with her opinion regarding the

CSC’s dress code. Yes indeed she can afford to wear expensive clothes and

jewelries, but since she is a government employee, she is under the jurisdiction of

the Civil Service.

Under the Civil Service Commissions Circular in line with the provisions of

RA 6713, Sec 4 (h) “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.”

In the present case, the opinion of the employee is misplaced. Upon entering

the government service, you are hereby expected to uphold public interest over

personal interest and observe simple living. An extravagant display of wealth in

any form is prohibited in public service for it will result in criticism and the

degradation of such institution. It is not a justiable reason that one can afford it so

she/he can wear anything and not abide by the CSC Circular. It is an indication that

if an employee has that opinion, this employee has no regard for rules and

regulations and has no business being in the public service.

MP19 Page 10
 CASE STUDY #8

GIFTS GALORE

In my opinion, Josie is right. Josie’s opinion regarding what is nominal

under RA 6713 is correct in this case.

Under Sec. 3 (c) of RA 6713, “Gift – refers to a thing or a right to dispose of

gratuitously, or any act or liberality, in favour of another who accepts it, and shall

include a simulated sale or an ostensibly onerous disposition thereof. It shall not

include an unsolicited gift of nominal or insignificant value not given in

anticipation of, or in exchange for, a favour from a public official or employee.”

In the present case, Josie’s argument is right. Nominal and insignificant is

not qualified under RA 6713. Although there is a provision in the said law that you

can accept gifts that are nominal or insignificant, but it was not qualified in the said

provision what is nominal and insignificant. Adora should just refuse the gifts

given to her by clients for there is a doubt as to whether it is correct to accept gifts.

What she should do is just to say “thank you, but I can’t accept those gifts for I am

doing my job with pleasure.” Adora’s position in her office is vital, her decisions

and transactions might be put to scrutiny if she continues to accept gifts from

MP19 Page 11
clients. They may doubt her credibility and might question her transactions, that it

might be a product of an exchange of something for a value.

MP19 Page 12
 CASE STUDY # 9

FOR OFFICIAL USE ALSO

If I happen to chance upon a government service vehicle parked in places

where I least expect a government official may transact business with, I will get

proofs first and will report it to the very office where that government official is

assigned. If the department where that public official is assigned does not act upon

my complaint or report of such misuse of a government service, I will take time to

report it to the Ombudsman with photos or other proof for proper action.

As a government employee, we serve for the interest of the public and not

for our own interest. We are expected to uphold the law and be a good example to

our society. If we tolerate this kind of habit of some public officials, we are an

accessory to the crime committed by that official. These officials are robbing

taxpayers money because of this malpractice. As a concerned citizen and as a

taxpayer, I must report this malpractice to proper authorities.

MP19 Page 13
 CASE STUDY #10

HE DOES, I DO

In this case, Mr. Sanchez and Roy have their acceptable and unacceptable

reasons. Mr. Sanchez as a Director of the Administrative Office, his work is not

only during office hours but beyond that, he heads an office and he is responsible

to anything that happens to it. It is right not to deduct from their leave credits the

number of minutes or hours he is late, considering that anything that happens to the

office will be charged to him, and he could be dismissed from his position if

something goes wrong to his office and if he does not meet the needs of his clients.

I disagree on his argument that Roy must first become a boss, as a Director and a

boss, he must be the one to set the tone on top, habitual tardiness is not a good

example to his subordinate, he must at least take extra ordinary steps to be an

example to his subordinates.

On the argument of Roy, he could ask for an open flexi-time, if ever he

could not come to the office on time due to traffic, provided further that his work

will not hamper the agency’s commitment to serve the public. I strongly disagree

on the point that he compares himself to his Director, considering the weight of

responsibility that they are taking.

MP19 Page 14
 The sole issue is not who is right or wrong in this case. What is important is

that they must serve the public and not to compromise on the quality of service that

they do.

MP19 Page 15
 REFLECTION PAPER

As I finished the caselettes of the Distance Learning Program of the Civil

Service Commission, I have learned so many things about the rules of conduct and

ethical behaviour in the Civil Service. My perception and understanding regarding

distance learning has changed. I learned from the different cases and activity of the

learning program. It has deepen my understanding of what is public service.

As enshrined in our constitution, Public Office is a public trust. Public

officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them

with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency; act with patriotism and

justice, and lead modest lives. Its origin is from the democratic government,

whatever trust the public places in its officials must be respected.

R.A. 6713 otherwise known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards
for Public Officials and Employees”. This code of ethics serves as the guide of
every public servant:

(1) Commitment to Public Interest –public officials and employees must be

committed to uphold the public interest over their personal interest.
(2) Professionalism – all public officials and employees should perform their
duties competently, proficiently and efficiently.
(3) Political Neutrality – As a government official and employee, we shall be of
service to everyone without biases. We must be impartial and objective in

MP19 Page 16
 the exercise of our duties and responsibilities, our work must not be affected
by the politicians so that we could not be in contrast whether who win
during the election.
(4) Justness and Sincerity – fairness and sincerity to all those who come to our
agency and treat them reasonably. We must not choose who we want to
serve, we must always remain true to the public at all times.
(5) Responsiveness to the Public – policies and procedures in dealing with our
client must be responsive to the interest of the public. We must be prompt
and adequate in serving the people. There should be less hassle on our
clients when they go to different departments of the government.
(6) Nationalism and Patriotism – as a government employee, Filipino, and
employed and remunerated by the government of the Philippines, it is just
and proper to give respect and be loyal to our country.
(7) Commitment to Democracy – we must always commit ourselves to freedom,
sovereignty, justice and human rights. We must always uphold that our
government is all about the supremacy of civilian authority. Without the
people, a government will not exist. We must always envision ourselves in
having a noble, proud, free, just, independent and honorable nation.
(8) Simple Living – we represent the government, our agency and our office.
What people see, they generalize it as if others are like what we are
especially on the way we act and appear to the public in general. Simplicity
is the guiding principle of a government employee, we must always be
simple in the way we live and act.

MP19 Page 17
(1) As a Director of the Administrative Office, his work is 24/7 considering that he
heads a

MP19 Page 18