REFLECTIONS ON THE DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM ON THE RULES OF CONDUCT

AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR IN THE CIVIL SERVICE

To be honest, when I enrolled in this DLP about R.A. 6713 I was only concerned with the
certificate that I will earn to be used in my quest for promotion. It was when I started reading
the content of the book that I began to realize the importance of R.A. 6713 to myself as a public
servant. Everything in it is a must to be learned.

Lesson 1 enumerated the norms of conduct namely: commitment to public interest,

professionalism, justness and sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public,
nationalism and patriotism, commitment to democracy and simple living. These were
thoroughly explained with the help of some situations. I became absorb with the reflection for
deepening wherein I was able to give my own point of view regarding the stated questions. It
was a meaningful experience to organize my thoughts and ideas. It was really good that the
questions were directed to me as a public servant. I became more aware of my duties and
responsibilities and that these should be discharge with high standard of ethics. Sometimes, the
norms were overlooked by others. This was a good reminder and guide for us in the public
service. R.A. 6713 will really strengthen good value system in the bureaucracy which is very
beneficial to the public and to our country as well.

If we will all be committed and dedicated to imbibe in our lives these norms, there will
be good relationships between the people and government officials and employees. The people
will continue to support the different activities or programs of the government because they
trust their officials. We will work hand in hand to achieve our ultimate goal of improving our
country.

Lesson II provided me with knowledge with regards to the prohibited acts and
transactions, the system of incentives and awards, duties and responsibilities of public officials
and employees, about divestment and penalties under the Code. I would say that from this
lesson, I became more familiarize about the things I didn’t know before. These are the things
that public employees must know because of the nature of our work. The different learning I’ve
gained was very important for me as a public servant especially with the prohibited acts and
transactions. This I believe would be my guide in discharging my duties and functions so all my
decisions will all be legal so as to prevent any violations on the Code.

Lesson III was very meaningful since all the case studies presented were very timely. I
was given an opportunity to express my ideas and opinions regarding the situations. I would say
that the insights I have drawn from this will be used and applied for better public service.

To sum it up, I would like to commend all the people behind this DLP ON THE RULES OF
CONDUCT AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. It was nice that you have come up
with this kind of program. I have learned a lot from this wonderful study.
Justness and Sincerity
Can you recall an experience when your honesty was tested? Or when you
became a victim of dishonesty?In my everyday life, I handle trusts due to the
nature of my part time job which requires honesty.My clients entrust me with
their works and pay me appropriately. In the same time, I should produce to them
a quality job and on time. I always have the option to not finish the articles but
my principle doesn’t allow me to. Plus, it will tarnish my integ
rity to them and might result inthem firing me. This might be considered as
honesty but given the consequences of my actions, itcould not be considered as
just and sincere.In school, I also face challenges in my honesty. There were
several times that I
didn’t study for a
certain exam and I had no choice but to cheat or else I would fail. My seatmates
were willing togive out some of their answers to me but I refused to accept it and
thank them instead saying thatI appreciated their concern but I needed to do it by
myself. For me, it was honesty. Unfortunatelymy honesty was not converted into
points in those exams and I failed. Anyway, I was happy thatI preserved
justice.Basically, all of us were victims of dishonesty. Thousands or even millions
of pesos were stolenfrom the national funds of corrupt government officials and
employees. I will assure that thatreputation will not haunt my batch of civil
servants.In a workplace, by simply stating the correct amount or giving the money
where it is due is asimple form justness and sincerity to public service. Most
importantly, it is honesty.Honesty cannot be tested exclusively on monetary
processes. Taking home supplies on our government offices is a simple form of
dishonesty. There was another form of honesty whenemployees will go to the
office on time.Honesty is a very good virtue that every person should follow.
Though it may not be applicableon all times, this principle is vital on the formation
of our integrity as civil servants.
Responsiveness to the Public
How can you show Responsiveness? What realization did you gain from this session?I know for
the fact that the government was built through the power of the people. By the people,
and for the people. It was the reason why our current president says “Kayo ang Boss Ko”. What
he meant was that he is just in that position because of the people. Because the people
electedhim.Coming from the most powerful man on our country that the people are superior to
him, it can beconcluded that a government employee is just a servant of the people. Now, it
makes sense whythese people are called public servants. As servants of the people, it is their
duty andresponsibility to accommodate everyone.People from all walks of life shall be treated
equally. However, the concept of this equality
varies from another person’s interpretation to another.
For me, my concept of equality is thatthose who are underprivileged (the poor) shall be given
more consideration. It is a more liberal
view of equality. For example, the poor people shall have access to the government’s resources
easily. The projects of the government like the highways and other economic infrastructures
shall be made available more for the poor rather than for the rich people. It should be used for
their social mobility. In this way, the gap between the rich and the poor will be lessened.I wil
l not consider what I learned from this session as a realization because I’ve been thinking
about that all the time. I started questioning everything about this hierarchy. I even despised
therich because I witnessed hardships of my countrymen.As a Social Science student, I was
exposed to many people. My countrymen who werestruggling just for their everyday survival. I
blame the capitalistic system because it exploits the poor. They were alienated from
themselves as most people cannot even enjoy what they
’re producing. From their own efforts. Ironically, there were instances when a farmer doesn’t
have
any rice to cook. This situation really happens in our country.Unfortunately, our government is
ruled by the elite who think only of the growth and preservation of their wealth. How could a
bourgeoisie understand how a typical Juan Dela Cruzlives
? How can he formulate solutions if he doesn’t know the problem?
In the meantime, the best thing that a public servant can do to his/her country men is to make
theservices easier for them. Outreaching in their communities is the best method
Case Study 3 What else can I do?
I agree with Glenda’s convictions to report things to Senator Enriquez and the Media.
Whistle blowing is an act in which a certain person reports an anomaly to the authorities. It has
been practiced by people over the years. Most of them are government employees who
reportcorruption in their respective offices. Reason for this whistleblowing is to ask protection
andattention from the people and the media.This whistleblowing occurs in both private and
government organizations. Whistleblowersalways face the consequences of their actions such
as different lawsuits and termination fromtheir respective works.Civil servants took an oath
that he should report every anomaly in his office. It is part of hisethical convictions to expose
corrupt officials in his office. Non-report of these anomalies can beconsidered as unethical and
most of the time, the civil servants themselves were tagged in thescandal.There are several
processes in the government that are detrimental to the public since it wastransacted under
the table. Most officials serve as accomplices to these crimes while their
subordinates, the civil servants, as instruments. For the sake of “pakikisama” or fear of
retaliation from their bosses, some civil servants are forced to obey whatever their chief
ordersthem.
In the military, there’s a principle of obey first before you complain. However, after the
Vietnam
War, it was revised on the military philosophy that commands must be reviewed first
beforeimplementing into action. The same goes on with different organizations. Unfortunately,
most
complaints by the “little guys” are disregarded by the society and no actions will be taken while
the whistleblowers gain nothing from reporting such wrongful acts. This made them doubt
andthink twice before taking actions on the matter. However, it is their duty to do such.One
resort made by whistleblowers is to go to the media. With media attention, it will also
gainattention to the populace which pressures the authorities concerned to take an action.
While it istrue that most media fabricate some parts of the news due to their individual biases
and that their main purpose is to earn profit, reporting things to media yield a lot of benefit for
thewhistleblowers. The knowledge of the populace itself about the situation will secure the
person.Reporting matters to an elected official is not a very wise decision for any whistleblower
becausethe politician itself might be a conspirator on the anomaly which you are about to
expose.Another thing is that these politicians will use the scandal to elevate their status and
popularityamong the people to gain votes for the elections. On the other hand, if that elected
politician is anadvocate or is an authority on that matter, for example in this case, the
environment, it is right toreport the anomalies to them because they were the ones who can
really take an action.
Case Study # 1As time passes by, modernization and development in many aspects happen. And
along with thisdevelopment comes the growth of the number of people in certain improved
and developedcommunity. As the number of people increases, problem also arises, problems
on pollution, both in air,land and water. This is just but normal scenario in a developed area.If I
were the official concern, I would have another group of chemist to inspect the place
considered asunsafe for swimming. Then I have to get the findings. If the findings say that the
water is indeed pollutedand unsafe for swimming, then I will launch a campaign to clean the
beaches and make them safe again.I will encourage everyone to help in making the place safe
for everybody so that the tourists willcontinue to visit the island without fear since we cannot
deny the fact that tourist boost the economy of the island also. And aside from that, if tourists
keep on coming on the island, the place will becomemore popular. But I will have implement a
If these beaches will be closed, the economy of the place willalso be affected. By doing such

Case Study #2
The cutting down of trees in the forest has been prohibited several years ago. This is due to
thefact that most of the mountains are already denuded which lead to the occurrence of
naturalcalamities like flashfloods and landslides. And these natural calamities destroyed many
livesand properties of many people. And if these happen, it also gives problem to the
governmentsince the government has to help the victims of those calamities. It is the
responsibility of thegovernment to help and rescue the people.If I were Rick, I will not allow
Alonzo to pass through because it is really illegal. Aside from that,he has no permit. So it is very
clear that the trees were illegally cut down I will explain to himthat what he did is prohibited by
the law. He is a government official. I believe he is aware of these things. I will just explain to
him that like him I am just performing my job.
I’m petty surehe will understand me. So I cannot let him pass through.After that, I will report
the incident to the proper authorities. The proper authorities will know
what the best thing to do on the matter is. What’s important is I was able to prevent t
hem frombringing the narra flitches outside despite of their reasons

Case Study #3Whistle-blowing is an act of informing higher authorities about illegal or unethical
practicesobserved. Whistle-blowing is never an easy decision for any employee. This will bring
him bothadvantages and disadvantages. This will cause him to be terminated from work or his
life willbe put in danger. In doing this, the employee has to be firm and should have all the
necessaryevidences before he has to do it.In the case of Glenda, she should go first to the
proper authorities. Maybe she should go to theDENR because this is the proper agency to
inform and consult about the matter, because if shewill go either to the press or to the
politician, the issue will just create noise and will put her lifein danger. There is a possibility that
the media or the politician will just use the issue or her fortheir personal interest. So instead of
going to the media or to a politician, she should rather goto the office of the DENR who has the
main right about this issue. The DENR has the knowledgeon what is the best thing to do
regarding the matter.But if the proper authorities will not act on it, then that is the time for her
to go to the media orthe to an elected national official

ase Study #Case Study #3Whistle-blowing is an act of informing higher authorities about illegal
or unethical practicesobserved. Whistle-blowing is never an easy decision for any employee.
This will bring him bothadvantages and disadvantages. This will cause him to be terminated
from work or his life willbe put in danger. In doing this, the employee has to be firm and should
have all the necessaryevidences before he has to do it.In the case of Glenda, she should go first
to the proper authorities. Maybe she should go to theDENR because this is the proper agency
to inform and consult about the matter, because if shewill go either to the press or to the
politician, the issue will just create noise and will put her lifein danger. There is a possibility that
the media or the politician will just use the issue or her fortheir personal interest. So instead of
going to the media or to a politician, she should rather goto the office of the DENR who has the
main right about this issue. The DENR has the knowledgeon what is the best thing to do
regarding the matter.But if the proper authorities will not act on it, then that is the time for her
to go to the media orthe to an elected national official

d there. Then I will report it to the Ombudsman sothat they will conduct an observation and
investigation on the government official using thesaid government vehicle.My purpose of going
to the Ombudsman is not to destroy the credibility and the reputation of the government
official, but to exercise my right to show my concern to the government. SinceI am aware that
government vehicle should be used for official business transactions only andnot for personal
business of course I have to inform the proper authorities of it so that thiswrong act of
government officials will be stopped. Aside from that, this may serve as warningalso to the
other government officials who are using the government vehicles for personalinterest.
Government vehicles are government property which are issued to governmentofficials to
make and perform their task and to serve the people in a fast manner and not to beused in
their personal matters. These should be used for public interest and not for personalinterest.
Case Study #10A government official or employee should always possess the spirit of
professionalism in anyway. One way of showing it is by reporting to work on time. A
government employee should bevery conscious of the time; they should utilize the time well. It
is not good to see employeesreporting to office for work late, and then once he arrives in the
office the people who need hisservice are already waiting for him. It is very embarrassing and
very disgusting.In the situation given, Roy is right when he said that his boss should not be
exempted from thepolicy implanted for the late comers since like him his boss always come to
work late also. Buthe is wrong when he made the distance of his house from his office. As an
employee, it is hisresponsibility to report to office on time. He has to use his initiative on how
he can report on
time despite the location of his residence. It is not his boss’ fault if his house is far from the
office.On the other hand, his boss is not right when he said that Roy should wait until he
becomes aboss. A boos should act as a model to his subordinates. What a boss does will be
imitated by his
subordinates. To avoid complaints like Roy’s complaints, he also should come to office on time,
this is because the law excuses no one. The law was made for everyone. In government
offices,there is no law that says that a boss is exempted from going to office late.

Case Study #1If I were the official concern, I will make further investigations on the matter. And
then I willcause for the enactment of an ordinance or local legislative policy to govern and
regulate theoperation of all the beaches in the island. The ordinance must specifically provide
for theresponsibilities of the beach operators in the island in the maintenance of cleanliness
andsafety of the place and a prescribe penalty for violation thereof. The ordinance must
likewise fixallowable fees and charges within the limitations provided by the law to generate
local incomewhich may be used by the LGU as one of the sources in the implementation its
programs andprojects. This presupposes the payment of license to operate, as a regulatory fee,
in theexercise of police power of the Local Government Unit concerned. Through this initiative,
theplace will be restored and the local income will be augmented

Rules of Conduct and Ethical Behavior in the Civil Service

Case Study#5

A government property should be utilized properly whether it’s just

a simple office supply. Using government properties in any form for
personal is not proper. The government purchased those supplies,
which came from publicfunds sourced from the taxpayer, not for
the employee’s used but official business only. In the case given, I
would take Cynthia’s side. The act of Emy was a form of stealing
government property because it does not belong to her.

Bringing home office supplies to be used for personal interest

is obviouslyunethical and unbecoming. This may gave wrong
perceptions of all the government officials or employees. People
who have knowledge of an employee doing such thing will make
wrong conclusions or generalizations ongovernment employees. As
mentioned in R.A 6713 that public officials and employees shall
utmost devotion and dedication to the duty.  Finally, agovernment
employee has the responsibility to take care of every government
property and utilize them properly for public interest and not for
personal one.
(photocredit: www.popsugar.com)