Graduate Studies Department

La Consolacion University Philippines

Malolos, Bulacan

Name: BRAVO, Maria Cristine A.

Course: MPA – RDP
Agency: Bulacan Medical Center
Title of activity: Reaction Essay on Rising Cyber-libel Cases Filed by Public Officials
Date submitted: August 12, 2020

Criticism and dissent are one of the foundations of democracy, hence, public officials must

tolerate, nay, welcome criticisms. According to Amartya Sen (1999), democracy is universal and has

three values to it: intrinsic value, instrumental value, and constructive value. The first value of

democracy is intrinsic value which means that it has value in and of itself. Humanity, and the universe

for that matter, is better off with it than without it. But for the purpose of this essay, the second and the

third values will be given emphasis. Democracy has instrumental value because it has a utilitarian

function. The leaders of a nation are incentivized to be responsible and accountable to the people

because citizens can count on their leaders to listen to their demands. It is in this symbiotic relationship

we find that when leaders fail to heed to the calls of their citizens, the breakdown of the system

becomes possible. When leaders dismiss criticisms or cause the arrest of critics, we begin to see such

leaders turn their back from responsibility and accountability to the people. The constructive value of

democracy, the third value according to Amartya Sen, is the ability of the people to conceive and

articulate their needs through criticisms and dissent. When people are allowed to freely voice out what

is perceived to be lacking in the provision of public goods, the people and the state can work on to

improve it. In the Philippine context, the people are calling out the lack of transparency and the

government’s failure to deliver its social services. The right of the people to participate in the public

dialogue must be protected at all times. On the side of public officials, they should welcome criticisms as

a way to address shortcomings.

 Given the importance of democracy, it would be no wonder why there is a law in the Philippines

that imposes a code of conduct and ethical standards for Filipino public officials. In Section 2 of Republic

Act 6713 (1989), it declares that, “Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the

people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility”. The law further implores Filipino

public officials to uphold democratic virtues at all times. The will and the freedom of the people are

supreme.
References

Sen, A. (1999). Democracy as a Universal Value. Journal of Democracy. 10(3). 3-17. Retrieved August 8,

2020 from https://irsc.libguides.com/apa/volumeissuereferencecitation#:~:text=The%20volume

%20number%20follows%20the,(2011).

Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Republic Act No. 6713.

Congress of the Philippines. (1989). Retrieved August 10, 2020 from

https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1989/ra_6713_1989.html#:~:text=Public%20officials

%20and%20employees%20shall,public%20interest%20over%20personal%20interest.