Ethics and Accountability in Public Service

Light Offenses

Lesley Allen D. Kabigting

MBA 2nd Trimester

Mrs Emerenciana Navarro, MBA

Introduction:

Under the Rules of Revised on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, light offenses are punishable by
reprimand for the first offense suspension of one (1) to thirty (30) days for the second offense and
dismissal from the service for the third offense.

The following are the light offenses provided for by the Civil Service Commission in their Rules of Revised
on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service:
1. Simple discourtesy in the course of official duties
 Definition:

 Discourtesy means incivility; also a rude act.

 Rudeness has no place in civilized society where men deal with men in equal
footing.
 Should respect individual feelings regardless of one’s station in life, religious
beliefs, political thinking, sex or strength.

 Nature and Concept

 Discourtesy breeds resentment among fellow workers and the end result would
either be suspension from office or outright dismissal (Violations on Civil Service
Law, 101 SCRA 319 of 1980)
 Courtesy, consideration, and promptness in dealing with the public must show
in carrying out official responsibilities, and actions which deny the dignity of
individuals or conduct which is disrespectful to others must be avoided.

2. Improper or unauthorized solicitation of contributions from subordinate employees and by

teachers or school officials from school children.

 REVISED RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN

ADMINISTRATIVE CASES (DepEd Order No. 49, s. 2006)

3. Violation of Reasonable office rules and regulations.

 No elective or appointive public officer or employee shall receive additional or double

compensation unless specifically authorized by law nor accept without consent of the
President any present , emolument, office, or title of any kind from any foreign state
 Laborers, whether skilled, semiskilled or unskilled, shall not be assigned to perform
clerical duties.

4. Frequent unauthorized tardiness (Habitual Tardiness)

 A civil servant who loafs around, wastes precious time is decidedly slacker and ‘’steals’’
or cheats the government wages paid for unproductive performance (Violation of Civil
Service Law 101 SCRA 319 of 1980).

5. Gambling Prohibited by Law

 PD 1067-B (s. 1977) / Amended by PD 1869 (s. 1983) / Memorandum Circular No.20 (s.
1986) and Memorandum Circular No.8 (s. 2001).
 A common gambler is a common nuisance, insensible to honor, deaf to pity, bent upon
plunder, he is a human cormorant, more destructible than the bird of prey itself
 As a vice may lead to the more nefarious consequence already all too well-known as
graft.
 It may cause corruption.

6. Refusal to render overtime service

 Overtime Work – is a work rendered after normal eight hours.

 Policy on Overtime work in the government service.
  It should be avoided by adequate planning of work activities.
 It should not be resorted to in the performance of regular routine work
and activities , except min the cases when unforeseen events and
emergency situations result in any of the following

 Causes financial loss to the government

 Embarrass the government due to its inability to meet its
commitment.
 Negate the purpose for which the work or activity was
conceived. (e.g. refusal to render overtime service is akin to
insubordination.)

7. Disgraceful, immoral or dishonest conduct prior to entering the service.

 Acts which violates the basic norm of decency, morality, and decorum abhorred and
condemn by the society

8. Borrowing money by superior officers from subordinates.

 MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 30 s 1989 July 20, 1989

 Borrowing money from the a subordinate is punishable as a light offense under Civil
Service Law

Penalty:
 First offense – reprimand
 Second offense - suspension of 1 to 30 days
 Third offense - dismissal from the service

Reference:

 MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 30 s 1989 July 20, 1989

 CODE OF CONDUCT AND EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE (Chapter 9 of Admin Manual)
 https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/124058/is-it-illegal-or-unethical-for-a-
supervisor-to-ask-a-contracted-employee-for-a-l