E-EDUC214

The Teaching Profession

Module 5
The Teacher and
the Professionalization of Teaching
in the Philippines

DR. OLIVIA M. LEGASPI

Module Writer
Professional Education Department
College of Education
De La Salle University - Dasmariñas

1
 MODULE OVERVIEW
This will introduce you to the different laws that
professionalized teaching in the Philippines. It
will also present the code of conduct that should
guide the teachers in the performance of their
duties.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

CLO5: Exhibit awareness and understanding of existing laws and related
jurisprudence governing the professionalization of teachers in the
Philippines, as well as the teachers’ professional ethics, professional
rights, privileges and responsibilities.
CLO2: Manifest behavior that upholds the dignity of the teaching profession
such as integrity, honesty, respect, and caring attitude, among others.

TOPIC LEARNING OUTCOMES

TLO10: Discuss the important provisions that professionalized teaching
in the Philippines
TLO11: Summarize the importance of the Code of Ethics/ Conduct for
professional teachers.

MODULE OBJECTIVES
MO1: Compare the provisions of PD1006
and RA7836.
MO2: Assess the situation of the teachers in
the country using the LET results.
MO3: Identify the roles played by the
teachers as stated in the Code of Ethics.
MP4: List down the limitations on teacher
actions prescribed by the Code of
Ethics/Conduct.

All the images used in this module were taken from www.bing.com.

2
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Module Overview ………………………… 2

Gospel Reading …………………………… 4

ntroduction ………....……………………. 5

iscussion …………………………………. 6

xploration ………………..………………. 33

pplication ………………………………... 34

References ……………………….……….… 35

3
 GOSPEL READING

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, AMEN.

Our gospel for the day, 15 November 2021, is taken from the book of Luke 18:35-43.

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging;
36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant.
37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38 And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the
more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he
asked him,
41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight."
42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."
43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people,
when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Let us recite our Lasallian prayer:

I will continue, oh my God, to do all my actions for the love of Thee.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.

4
 NTRODUCTION

In Module 1, we learned that teaching is considered as a profession. As a review, let us read

again this information.

Teaching is a profession.
Bilbao et al. (2015) stated that according to the Hon. Hermogenes P. Pobre, the former
chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the term professional (derived
from the term profession) denotes: (a) long and arduous years of preparation, (b) striving for
excellence, (c) dedication to the public interest, and (d) commitment to moral and ethical values.

In relation, they explained that teaching as a profession requires: (a) long years of initial
professional education (four years of an undergraduate degree in Education), (b) attainment of a
college degree recognized by a regulatory body (CHED), (c) board or licensure examination (LET
given by the Professional Regulation Commission), (d) continuing professional development (for
license renewal), and (e) adherence to a code of ethics (Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers).

In addition, Tamayao (2019) quoted this statement from UNESCO in 1996 during the
intergovernmental conference on the status of teachers: Teaching should be regarded as a
profession since it is a form of public service requiring teachers’ expert knowledge and specialized
skills, acquired and maintained through rigorous and continuing study; it calls also for a sense of
personal and corporate responsibility for the education and welfare of the pupils in their charge.

Likewise, Serrano and Paez (2015) enumerated the following as the reasons why teaching
can be considered as a profession: (a) it has its own body of specialized knowledge, (b) it upholds
service over and above personal and monetary profit, (c) for professional competency, it requires
continuous professional growth, (d) it establishes its own policies and standards for professional
exercise, and (e) it has its own unique professional organization.

To professionalize the practice of teaching in the country, let us look at the laws that made this
professionalization possible.

5
 ISCUSSION

Part 1: What laws professionalized teaching in the Philippines?

There are three (3) laws related to the professionalization of teaching in the Philippines – PD
1006, RA 7836, and RA9293.

A. Presidential Decree No. 1006

PROVIDING FOR THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF TEACHERS, REGULATING
THEIR PRACTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, the Constitution provides that “All educational institutions shall be under the
supervision of; and subject to regulation by, the State”, and requires that “the State shall establish
and maintain a complete, adequate and integrated system of education relevant to the goals of
national development”;

WHEREAS, in the pursuit on these objectives, the Department of Education and Culture has
adopted ways and means of overseeing all the educational institutions in the country;

WHEREAS, this supervisory function of the DEC has been primarily beamed towards insuring that
the educational institutions inculcate in the studentry love of the country, teach the duties of
citizenship, and develop moral character, personal discipline, and scientific, technological and
vocational efficiency;

WHEREAS, to implement these objectives, the institutions have relied upon their teachers whose
direct and continuing interaction with the young people and the children make them potent forces
for the development of proper attitudes among the citizenry;

WHEREAS, this accounts for the tremendous growth of the teaching population, comprising in the
civil service sector alone more than 300,000 teachers deployed all over the country;

6
WHEREAS, to insure that in the immediacy and urgency of teacher recruitment qualitative
requirements are not overlooked, it has become necessary to regulate the teaching profession;

WHEREAS, although teaching requires a number of years of collegiate study, it is the only course
that it is not yet considered a profession;

WHEREAS, in recognition of the vital role of teachers in nation-building and as an incentive to raise
the morale of teachers, it is imperative that they be considered as professionals and teaching be
recognized as a profession.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of

the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order:

Section 1. Title. This Decree shall be known as the Decree Professionalizing Teaching.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared a policy that teacher education shall be given
primary concern and attention by the government and shall be of the highest quality, and strongly
oriented to Philippine conditions and to the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people even as it
seeks enrichment from adoptable ideas and practices of other people.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Decree, the following shall be construed as follows:
(a) Teaching refers to the profession primarily concerned with the classroom instruction, at the
elementary and secondary levels, in accordance with the curriculum prescribed by National
Board of Education, whether on part-time or full-time basis in the public or private schools.
(b) Teachers refers to all persons engaged in teaching at the elementary and secondary levels,
whether on a full-time or part-time basis, including guidance counselors, school librarians,
industrial arts or vocational teachers and all other persons performing supervisory and/or
administrative functions in all schools in the aforesaid levels and legally qualified to practice
teaching under this Decree.
(c) Board refers to the National Board for Teachers duly constituted under this Decree.

Section 4. Creation of the National Board for Teachers. There is hereby created a National Board
for Teachers, hereinafter called the Board, to be composed of the following:
1) Secretary of Education and Culture
Co-Chairman
2) Chairman, Civil Service Commission
3) Commissioner, Professional Regulations Commission
4) Two members representing the private sector to be appointed by Member
the President

Section 5. Powers and Duties. The Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) Appoint a set of examiners for every examination who will determine and prepare the contents
of the Board examination for teachers, hereinafter referred to as examination, in the elementary
and secondary levels of instruction, to be held at least once a year;
(b) Determine and fix the places and dates of examination, appoint supervisors and room examiners
from among the employees of the Government who shall be entitled to a daily allowance to be
fixed by the Board for every examination day actually attended, use the buildings and facilities

7
 of public and private schools for examination purposes, approve applications to take
examination, and approve the release of examination results;
(c) Look from time to time into the conditions affecting the practice of the teaching profession, adopt
such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement of said profession, and/or
maintenance of the professional standards and ethics;
(d) Issue, suspend, revoke, replace or reissue Professional Teachers Certificate, and administer
oaths;
(e) Appoint, subject to the provisions of existing laws, such officials and employees as are necessary
in the effective performance of its functions and responsibilities, prescribe their duties and fix
their compensation;
(f) Prescribe and collect examination and other fees as it may deem proper; and
(g) Promulgate rules and regulations, and exercise such other powers, functions and duties as may
be necessary to carry into effect the purposes of this Decree.

Section 6. Qualification requirements for examination applicants. No applicant shall be admitted to

take the examination unless, on the date of filing of the application, he shall have complied with the
following requirements:
(a) Except those who have been engaged in teaching as herein defined for at least five years in schools
in the Philippines not organized exclusively for nationals of a foreign country at the time of the
effectivity of this Decree, the applicant must be a citizen of the Philippines;
(b) That he is of good moral character;
(c) That he is free from any physical and/or mental defect which will incapacitate him to render
efficient service; and
(d) That he possesses the following minimum educational qualifications:
1) For teachers in the kindergarten and elementary grades, Bachelor’s degree in Elementary
Education (B.S.E.Ed.) or its equivalent;
2) For teachers of the secondary schools, Bachelor’s degree in Education or its equivalent with
a major and minor, or a Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Sciences with at least eighteen (18) units in
professional education; and
3) For teachers of secondary vocational and two-year technical courses, Bachelor’s degree in the
field of specialization with at least eighteen (18) units in professional education.
All applications shall be filed with an office or offices designated by the Board, preferably the offices
of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Education and Culture.
These offices shall screen and approve such applications and issue the corresponding permits to
take the examination to qualify applicants.

Section 7. Appointment of examiners. The Board shall appoint a set of examiners for every
examination who are recognized authority in teacher education, and their names shall not be
disclosed until after the release of the results of the examination. They shall each receive as
compensation the sum of not less than P5.00 for each examinee as may be determined by the Board
but in no case shall each examiner receive more than P18,000 per examination. Any examiner who
is in the service of the Government shall receive the compensation herein provided in addition to
his salary.

Section 8. Scope of the examination. The examination shall consist of written tests, the scope of
which shall be determined by the Board, taking into consideration the teaching plan of the schools
legally constituted in the Philippines.

8
Section 9. Ratings in the examination. In order that a candidate may be deemed to have successfully
passed the examinations, he must have obtained a general average of at least 70 per cent in all
subjects, with no rating below 50 per cent in any subject.

Section 10. Report of the results of examination. The examiners shall report the ratings obtained by
each candidate to the Board within 150 days after the last day of the examination, unless extended
by the latter.

Section 11. Issuance of Certificates. Teachers who have passed examinations given by the Civil
Service Commission or jointly by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Education
and Culture shall be considered as having passed the board examinations for teachers. The Board
may consider their certificates of rating as certificates of eligibility or issue an entirely new certificate
upon registration of the teacher and payment of the corresponding fees.
This provision shall likewise apply to those teachers who have permanent appointment under the
Magna Carta for Public School Teachers and all others who may be qualified for registration as
professional teachers under this Decree.

Section 12. Registration. The Civil Service Commission shall, as an arm of the Board, register
holders of Professional Teacher Certificate which registration shall evidence that the registrant is
entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Professional Teacher until and unless the certificate is
suspended or canceled by the Board for just cause.

Section 13. Reissuance of revoked certificates and replacement of lost certificates. The Board may,
for reason of equity and justice, and upon proper application therefor, issue another copy, original
or duplicate, upon payment of the required fee, of a certificate which has been revoked. A new
certificate to replace a lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate may be issued subject to the rules of
the Board.

Section 14. Registration by reciprocity. The Civil Service Commission shall, upon approval of the
Board, effect the registration, without examination, of a teacher validly registered under the laws of
any foreign state or country; Provided, That the requirements for registration in said foreign state or
country are substantially the same as those required and contemplated by this Decree, and the laws
of such foreign state or country allow citizens of the Philippines to practice the profession on the
same basis and grant the same privileges as the citizens or subjects of such foreign state or country;
Provided finally, That the applicant shall submit competent and conclusive documentary evidence,
confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, showing that his country’s existing laws permit
citizens of the Philippines to practice teaching profession under the rules and regulations governing
citizens thereof.

Section 15. Prohibition. Three years after the effectivity of this Decree, no person shall engage in
teaching and/or act as a teacher as defined in this Decree, whether in the public or private elementary
or secondary school, unless he is holder of a Professional Teacher Certificate or is considered a
Professional Teacher under this Decree.

Section 16. Penal Provision. Any person who shall practice the teaching without a valid Professional
Teacher Certificate, or any person presenting as his or her own the certificate of another, or any
person giving any false or forged evidence in order to obtain a Professional Teacher Certificate or

9
admission to an examination, or any person assuming himself as a registered professional teacher,
or any person violating any provision of this Decree shall be penalized by a fine of not less than One
Thousand Pesos nor more than Five Thousand Pesos with subsidiary imprisonment or to suffer an
imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than two years, or both such fine and
imprisonment at the discretion of the Court.

Section 17. Repealing Clause. All Acts, Decrees, Executive Orders, Administrative Orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

Section 18. Separability Clause. In case any provision of this Decree or any portion thereof is
declared unconstitutional by a competent court, other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

Section 19. Effectivity. This Decree shall take effect on January 1, 1977.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and seventy-six.

B. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7836

AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE REGULATION AND SUPERVISION OF THE

PRACTICE OF TEACHING IN THE PHILIPPINES AND PRESCRIBING A LICENSURE
EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

ARTICLE I. TITLE
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Teachers
Professionalization Act of 1994."

Sec. 2. Statement of Policy. — The State recognizes the vital role of teachers in nation-building and
development through a responsible and literate citizenry. Towards this end, the State shall ensure
and promote quality education by proper supervision and regulation of the licensure examination
and professionalization of the practice of the teaching profession.

Sec. 3. Objectives. — This Act has the herein objectives:

(a) The promotion, development and professionalization of teachers and the teaching profession;
(b) The supervision and regulation of the licensure examination.

Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
(a) "Teaching" — refers to the profession concerned primarily with classroom instruction, at the
elementary and secondary levels in accordance with the curriculum prescribed by the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports, whether on part-time or full-time basis in the
private or public schools.
(b) "Teachers" — refers to all persons engaged in teaching at the elementary and secondary levels,
whether on full-time or part-time basis, including industrial arts or vocational teachers and all
other persons performing supervisory and/or administrative functions in all schools in the
aforesaid levels and qualified to practice teaching under this Act.

10
(c) "Board" — refers to the Board for Professional Teachers duly established and constituted under
this Act.
(d) "Commission" — refers to the Professional Regulation Commission.

ARTICLE II. BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS

Sec. 5. Creation and Composition of the Board. — There is hereby created under this Act a Board
for Professional Teachers, hereinafter called the Board, a collegial body under the general
supervision and administrative control of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter
referred to as the Commission, composed of five (5) members who shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines from among the recommendees chosen by the Commission. The
recommendees shall be chosen from the list of nominees selected by the accredited association of
teachers, who duly possess all the qualifications prescribed in Section 8 of this Act. The chairman
and the voice-chairman of the Board shall be appointed from these five (5) members by the
President: Provided, That the members of the first Board appointed under this Act shall be
automatically registered as professional teachers and issued with the certificate of registration and
professional license upon payment of the fees for examination, registration, and other fees
prescribed by the Commission.

Sec. 6. Duties and Function of the Board. — The Board shall have the following duties and
functions:
(a) Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the
provisions of this Act in accordance with the charter of the Professional Regulation
Commission;
(b) Determine and fix the frequency, dates, and places of examination, appoint supervisors,
proctors, and other personnel as needed who shall be entitled to a daily allowance to be fixed
by the Board for every examination day actually attended, use buildings and facilities of public
or private schools for examination purposes;
(c) Issue, suspend, or revoke the certificate of registration for the practice of the teaching
profession;
(d) Prescribe and collect examination and other fees as it may deem proper;
(e) Prescribe and/or adopt a code of ethical and professional standards for the practice of the
teaching profession. Such ethical standards, rules and regulations to take effect sixty (60) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation;
(f) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;
(g) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of professional teachers in the
Philippines;
(h) Adopt an official seal of the Board;
(i) Look into the conditions affecting the practice of the teaching profession and whenever
necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement and
maintenance of high professional and ethical standards of the profession;
(j) Ensure that all educational institutions offering elementary and secondary education comply
with the essential requirements for curricula, faculty and facilities for the elementary and
secondary levels;
(k) Investigate such violations of this Act, the rules and the code of ethical and professional
standards for professional teachers as it may come to the knowledge of the Board, and for this
purpose, to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of witnesses
and the production of documents in connection therewith; and

11
(l) Discharge such other powers, duties and functions as the Board may deem necessary for the
practice of the teaching profession and the upgrading, enhancement, development and growth
of education in the Philippines.

Sec. 7. Term of Office. — The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) years
from the date they assume office: Provided, That the first appointees to the Board under this Act
shall hold office according to the following terms: one (1) member shall serve for one (1) year; one
(1) member for two (2) years; the chairman, vice-chairman, and one (1) member for three (3)
years. Vacancies shall be served for the unexpired term only. No person who has served for two
(2) consecutive terms shall be eligible for reappointment. Appointment to fill an unexpired term
shall be considered an appointment to a complete term. The chairman or any member shall take
his oath of office prior to the performance of his duties.

Sec. 8. Qualification of Board Members. — Each Board member must at the time of his
appointment:
(a) Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;
(b) Be at least thirty-five (35) years of age, of proven integrity, and possessed of high moral values
in his personal as well as professional conduct and has not been convicted of any offense
involving moral turpitude;
(c) Be a holder of the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Education and
preferably a holder of a master's or doctorate degree in education, or their equivalents, from a
university, school, college, academy or institute duly constituted, recognized and/or accredited
by the Philippine government;
(d) Be a professional teacher with a valid certificate of registration and valid professional license,
save those members who shall compose the first Board for Professional Teachers;
(e) Has been a professional teacher in the active practice of the teaching profession for at least ten
(10) years in the elementary and secondary level; and
(f) Not be an official or member of the faculty of, nor have pecuniary interest in any university,
college, school, or institution conferring a bachelor's degree in education or its equivalents for
at least three (3) years prior to his appointment, and neither connected with a review center or
with any group or association where review classes or lectures in preparation for the licensure
examination are offered or conducted. Provided, however, That, the membership to the Board
shall be evenly distributed to cover all levels of education, including equitable representation of
the different fields of specialization.

Sec. 9. Compensation of the Board. — The chairman, vice-chairman, and members of the Board
shall receive compensation comparable to the compensation received by existing regulatory boards
under the Professional Regulation Commission, computed on the basis of the number of
examinees/candidates.

Sec. 10. Supervision of the Board and Custodian of its Records. — The Board shall be under the
supervision and control of the Commission. All records, including applications for examination,
examination papers and results, minutes of deliberation, administrative cases and investigative
cases and investigations involving professional teachers shall be kept by the Commission.

12
Sec. 11. Secretariat and Support Services. — The Professional Regulation Commission, through its
chairman, shall provide the secretariat and other support services to implement effectively the
provisions of this Act.

Sec. 12. Removal of a Board Member. — The chairman or any member of the Board may be
removed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Commission for neglect
of duty, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct, commission
or toleration of irregularities in the examination, after having been given the opportunity to defend
himself in a proper administrative investigation. In the course of investigation, the President may
preventively suspend the respondent.

ARTICLE III. EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

Sec. 13. Examination, Registration and License Required. — Except as otherwise specifically
allowed under the provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as professional teachers shall
be required to undergo a written examination which shall be given at least once a year in such
places and dates as the Board may determine upon approval by the Commission. A valid
certificate of registration and a valid professional license from the Commission are required before
any person is allowed to practice as a professional teacher in the Philippines, except as otherwise
allowed under this Act.

Sec. 14. Scope of Examination. — The examinations for the elementary and secondary school
teachers shall be separate. The examination for teachers in the elementary level shall consist of two
(2) parts, namely: professional education and general education. The examination for teachers in
the secondary level shall consist of three (3) parts, namely: professional education, general
education, and field of specialization.

Sec. 15. Qualification Requirements of Applicants. — No applicant shall be admitted to take the
examination unless, on the date of filing of the application, he shall have complied with the
following requirements:
(a) A citizen of the Philippines or an alien whose country has reciprocity with the Philippines in the
practice of the teaching profession;
(b) At least eighteen (18) years of age;
(c) In good health and of good reputation with high moral values;
(d) Has not been convicted by final judgment by a court for an offense involving moral turpitude;
(e) A graduate of a school, college or university recognized by the government and possesses the
minimum educational qualifications, as follows:
(1) For teachers in preschool, a bachelor's degree in early childhood education (BECED) or its
equivalent;
(2) For teachers in the elementary grades, a bachelor's degree in elementary education
(BSEED) or its equivalent;
(3) For teachers in the secondary grades, a bachelor's degree in education or its equivalent with
a major and minor, or a bachelor's degree in arts and sciences with at least ten (10) units in
professional education; and
(4) For teachers of vocational and two-year technical courses, a bachelor's degree in the field of
specialization or its equivalent, with at least eighteen (18) units in professional education.

13
Sec. 16. Report of the Results of the Examination. — The Board shall, within one hundred twenty
(120) days after the examination, report the ratings obtained by each candidate to the Professional
Regulation Commission for approval and appropriate action.

Sec. 17. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional License. — The registration of a
professional teacher commences from the date his name is enrolled in the roster of professional
teachers. Every registrant who has satisfactorily met all the requirements specified in this Act shall,
upon payment of the registration fee, be issued a certificate of registration as a professional teacher
bearing the full name of the registrant with serial number and date of issuance signed by the
chairman of the Commission and the chairman, vice-chairman, and members of the Board,
stamped with the official seal, as evidence that the person named therein is entitled to practice the
profession with all the rights and privileges appurtenant thereto. The certificate shall remain in full
force and effect until withdrawn, suspended and/or revoked in accordance with law. A professional
license signed by the chairman of the Commission and bearing the registration number and date of
issuance thereof and the month of expiry or renewability shall likewise be issued to every registrant
who has paid the annual registration fees for three (3) consecutive years. This license shall serve as
evidence that the licensee can lawfully practice his profession until the expiration of its validity.

Sec. 18. Oath Before Practice. — Every registrant shall be required to take his professional oath
before practicing as a professional teacher.

Sec. 19. Periodic Merit Examination of Teachers. — To encourage continuing professional growth
and development and to provide additional basis for merit promotion, in addition to their
performance rating, teachers may take an oral and written examination at least once in five (5)
years as basis for merit promotion. In taking this examination, no fee shall be required.

Sec. 20. Failure to Pass the Merit Examination. — If a teacher fails to pass the merit examination,
he or she shall be allowed to take the examination for a second time. Should he or she fail to pass
the merit examination for the second time, then he or she shall be required to take a DECS
accredited refresher course or program before being allowed to retake the examination. Failure of
any permanent teacher to pass the merit examination shall not, however, be used as a ground for
his/her dismissal or demotion.

Sec. 21. Incentives. — Teachers who pass the merit examination shall:
(a) Be awarded a diploma of merit by the Board;
(b) Earn merit points for purposes of promotion in salary or to a higher position or grade level;
(c) Be placed in the priority list for government scholarship; and
(d) Enjoy such other benefits as may be promulgated by the Board.
Similar incentives shall be given to teachers who make inventions, develop new methods of
teaching, write a book or books and create works of artistic merit.

Sec. 22. Integration of the Teaching Profession. — The teaching profession shall be integrated into
one national organization which shall be recognized by the Board and the Commission as the one
and only integrated and accredited association of professional teachers. Upon registration with the
Board, every professional teacher shall be encouraged to become a member of the integrated
national organization. Those who have been registered with the Board but are not members of the
said integrated organization shall be allowed to register as members of the said integrated

14
organization within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act. Membership in the integrated
organization shall not be a bar to membership in other associations of the teaching profession. The
professional teachers shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant to their membership in
the said integrated and accredited organization of professional teachers only upon payment of the
required membership fees and dues.

Sec. 23. Revocation of the Certificate of Registration, Suspension from the Practice of the
Teaching Profession, and Cancellation of Temporary or Special Permit. — The Board shall have
the power, after due notice and hearing, to suspend or revoke the certificate of registration of any
registrant, to reprimand or to cancel the temporary/special permit of a holder thereof who is
exempt from registration, for any of the following causes:
(a) Conviction for any criminal offense by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(b) Immoral, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct;
(c) Declaration by a court of competent jurisdiction for being mentally unsound or insane;
(d) Malpractice, gross incompetence, gross negligence or serious ignorance of the practice of the
teaching profession;
(e) The use of or perpetration of any fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate of registration,
professional license or special/temporary permit;
(f) Chronic inebriety or habitual use of drugs;
(g) Violation of any of the provisions of this Act, the rules and regulations and other policies of the
Board and the Commission, and the code of ethical and professional standards for
professional teachers; and
(h) Unjustified or willful failure to attend seminars, workshops, conferences and the like or the
continuing education program prescribed by the Board and the Commission.
The decision of the Board to revoke or suspend a certificate may be appealed to the regional trial
court of the place where the Board holds office within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the said
decision or of the denial of the motion for reconsideration filed in due time.

Sec. 24. Registration by Reciprocity. — No teacher of a foreign nationality shall be admitted to the
examination, or be given a certificate of registration or be entitled to any of the rights and privileges
provided under this Act; unless the country or state of which he is a subject permits Filipino
professional teachers to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as subjects or citizens
of said country or state: Provided, that the requirements of certification of teachers with said
foreign state or country are substantially the same as those required and contemplated under this
Act: Provided, further, That the laws of such state or country grant the same privilege to Filipino
professional teachers on the same basis as the subject or citizens of such foreign country or state.

Sec. 25. Roster of Professional Teachers. — A roster of professional teachers containing the names
and addresses of professional teachers, date of registration or issuance of certificate, and other data
which in the opinion of the Board may appear pertinent shall be maintained. Copies of the roster
shall be provided by the Commission to the Board, the Department of Education, Culture and
Sports, and the integrated and accredited organization of professional teachers.

Sec. 26. Registration and Exception. — Two (2) years after the effectivity of this Act, no person
shall engage in teaching and/or act as a professional teacher as defined in this Act, whether in the
preschool, elementary or secondary level, unless he is a duly registered professional teacher, and a
holder of a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional license or a holder of a valid

15
special/temporary permit. Upon approval of the application and payment of the prescribed fees,
the certificate of registration and professional license as a professional teacher shall be issued
without examination as required in this Act to a qualified applicant, who at the time of the approval
of this Act, is:
(a) A holder of a certificate of eligibility as a teacher issued by the Civil Service Commission and
the Department of Education, Culture and Sports; or
(b) A registered professional teacher with the National Board for Teachers under the Department
of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1006; or
(c) Not qualified under paragraphs one and two but with any of the following qualifications, to wit:
(1) An elementary or secondary teacher for five (5) years in good standing and a holder of
Bachelor of Science in Education or its equivalent; or
(2) An elementary or secondary teacher for three (3) years in good standing and a holder of a
master's degree in education or its equivalent.
Provided, That they shall be given two (2) years from the organization of the Board for
professional teachers within which to register and be included in the roster of professional
teachers: Provided, further, That those incumbent teachers who are not qualified to register
without examination under this Act or who, albeit qualified, were unable to register within the two-
year period shall be issued a five-year temporary or special permit from the time the Board is
organized within which to register after passing the examination and complying with the
requirements provided this Act and be included in the roster of professional teachers: Provided,
furthermore, That those who have failed the licensure examination for professional teachers shall
be eligible as para-teachers and as such, shall be issued by the Board a special or temporary
permit, and shall be assigned by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) to
schools as it may determine under the circumstances.

ARTICLE IV. PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO THE PRACTICE OF THE TEACHING

PROFESSION
Sec. 27. Inhibition Against the Practice of the Teaching Profession. — Except as otherwise allowed
under this Act, no person shall practice or offer to practice the teaching profession in the
Philippines or be appointed as teacher to any position calling for a teaching position without having
previously obtained a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional license from the
Commission.

Sec. 28. Penal Provisions. — The following shall be punishable by a fine of not less than five
thousand pesos (P5,000.00) nor more than twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) or imprisonment
of nor less than six (6) months nor more than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the court:
(a) Any person who practices the teaching profession in the Philippines without being certified in
accordance with the provisions of this Act;
(b) Any person who represents or attempts to use as his own certificate of registration that of
another;
(c) Any person who gives any false, or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board or any
member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration as teacher;
(d) Any person who impersonates any registrant of the same or different name;
(e) Any person who uses a revoked or suspended certificate of registration;
(f) Any person who, in connection with his name, otherwise assumes, uses or advertises any title or
description tending to convey or conveys the impression that he is a teacher without holding a
valid certificate; and

16
(g) Any person who violates or who abets the violation of any of the provisions of this Act. The
penalty of fine or imprisonment or both, as provided in this section, shall also apply to any
school official who shall cause or be responsible for the commission of any of the above-
enumerated acts.

Sec. 29. Appropriations. — Such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the 1996 General Appropriations Act and thereafter.

Sec. 30. Implementing Guidelines. — The Board shall formulate and adopt the necessary
guidelines for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days of its
approval. The Board shall submit to both Committees on Education, Arts, and Culture; and the
Committees on Civil Service and Professional Regulation of the Senate and House of
Representatives, copies of the implementing rules and guidelines within thirty (30) days after its
promulgation. Any violation of this section shall render the official/s concerned liable under
Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for
Public Officials and Employees" and other pertinent administrative and/or penal laws.

Sec. 31. Transitory Provision. — All incumbent teachers in both the public and private sector not
otherwise certified as professional teachers by virtue of this Act, shall be given (5) years temporary
certificates from the time the Board for Professional Teachers is organized within which to qualify
as required by this Act and be included in the roster of professionals. Provided, however, That the
Professional Board Examination for Teachers (PBET) shall still be administered by the Civil
Service Commission and the Department of Education, Culture and Sports for the year 1995.

Sec. 32. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act or the
application of such section or provision to any person or circumstance is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, no other section or provision of this Act shall be affected thereby.

Sec. 33. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 34. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: December 16, 1994

C. Republic Act No. 9293

AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECS OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SEVENTY-

EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX (R.A. NO. 7836), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“PHILIPPINE TEACHERS PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 1994”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 15, (e) (3) of Republic Act No. 7836 is hereby amended as follows:

17
“SEC. 15. Qualification Requirements of Applicants. – No applicant shall be admitted to take the
examination unless, on the date of filing of the application, he shall have complied with the following
requirements:
“(e) A graduate of a school, college or university recognized by the government and possesses the
minimum educational qualifications, as follows:

(1) For teachers in preschool, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (BECED) or its
equivalent;
(2) For teachers in the elementary grades, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (BSEED) or
its equivalent;
(3) For teachers in the secondary grades, a bachelor’s degree in education or its equivalent with a
major and minor, or a bachelor degree in arts and sciences with at least eighteen (18) units in
professional education; and
(4) For teachers of vocational and two-year technical courses, a bachelor’s degree in the field of
specialization or its equivalent, with at least eighteen (18) units in professional education.”

SEC 2. Section 26 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 26. Registration and Exception. – No person shall engage in teaching and/or act as a
professional teacher as defined in this Act, whether in the preschool, elementary or secondary level,
unless the person is a duly registered professional teacher, and a holder of a valid certificate of
registration and a valid professional license or a holder of a valid special/temporary permit.

Upon approval of the application and payment of the prescribed fees, the certificate of registration
and professional license as a professional teacher shall be issued without examination as required in
this Act to a qualified applicant, who is:

(a) A holder of a certificate of eligibility as a teacher issued by the Civil Service Commission and the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports; or

(b) A registered professional teacher with the National Board for Teachers under the Department
of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1006.

Professional teachers who have not practiced their profession for the past five (5) years shall take at
least twelve (12) units of education courses, consisting of at least six (6) units of pedagogy and six (6)
units of content courses, or the equivalent training and number of hours, to be chosen from a list of
courses to be provided by the Board and the Department of Education, before they can be allowed
to practice their profession in the country.

Those who have failed the licensure examination for professional teachers, with a rating of not lower
than five percentage points from the passing general average rating, shall be eligible as para-teachers
upon issuance by the Board of a two-year special permit, renewable for a non-extendible period of
two (2) years. The para-teachers shall be assigned to areas where there is a shortage or absence of a
professional teacher, as identified and provided by the Department of Education and the
Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) education department to the Board for
professional teachers and to the Commission. The special permit shall indicate the area of
assignment of the para-teacher.

18
A special permit may also be issued by the Board to a person who has excelled and gained
international recognition and is a widely acknowledged expert in his or her respective field of
specialization.”

SEC 3. Section 31 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 31. Transitory Provision. – Special permits, with a validity of three (3) and five (5) years, issued
to para-teachers by the Board for Professional Teachers before the effectivity of this Act shall be
allowed to expire based on the period granted therein: Provided, That only special permits with a
validity of three (3) years may be renewed upon expiration for a non-extendible period of two (2)
years.”

SEC 4. References to the term “Department of Education, Culture and Sports”, in section 4 (a) and
section 25, and the term “DECS” in section 20, of the same Act, are hereby amended to read as
“Department of Education” and “DepEd”, respectively.

SEC 5. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act or the application
of such section or provision to any person or circumstance is declared unconstitutional or invalid,
no other section or provision of this Act shall be affected thereby.

SEC 6. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, circulars, administrative orders, rules and regulations,
and other issuances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC 7. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect upon approval.

Approved: APRIL 21, 2004

What are the requirements to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers?
What is the coverage of the examination? What grades should the test-taker receive
to pass the examination?

19
Part 2: What code of conduct should Filipino teachers follow?
All Filipino teachers are expected to live a dignified life. For this reason, they should follow the
Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers. Further, public school teachers are also required to
follow RA 6713.

A. THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS

(RESOLUTION No. 435, S. 1997)
Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (e), Article II of R.A. No. 7836, otherwise known as the
“Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994” and paragraph (a) section 6 of P.D. No.
223, as amended, the Board for Professional Teachers hereby adopts and promulgates the
following “Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers.”

Preamble
Teachers are duly licensed professionals who possess dignity and reputation with high moral values
as well as technical and professional competence. In the practice of their noble profession, they
strictly adhere to, observe, and practice this set of ethical and moral principles, standards, and
values.

Article I: Scope and Limitations

Section 1. The Philippine Constitution provides that all educational institutions shall offer quality
education for all Filipino citizens, a vision that requires professionally competent teachers
committed to its full realization. The provisions of this Code shall apply, therefore, to all teachers
in all schools in the Philippines.
Section 2. This Code covers all public and private school teachers in all educational institutions at
the preschool, primary, elementary, and secondary levels whether academic, vocational, special,
technical, or non-formal. The term “teacher” shall include industrial arts or vocational teachers
and all other persons performing supervisory and/ or administrative functions in all schools at the
aforesaid levels, whether on full time or part-time basis.

Article II: The Teacher and the State

Section 1. The schools are the nurseries of the future citizens of the State. Each teacher is a trustee
of the cultural and educational heritage of the nation and is under obligation to transmit to learners
such heritage as well as to elevate national morality, promote national pride, cultivate love of
country, instill allegiance to the Constitution and respect for all duly constituted authorities,
and promote obedience to the laws of the State.
Section 2. Every teacher or school official shall actively help carry out the declared policies of the
State, and shall take an oath to this effect.
Section 3. In the interest of the State and of the Filipino people as much as of his own, every
teacher shall be physically, mentally and morally fit.
Section 4. Every teacher shall possess and actualize a full commitment and devotion to duty.
Section 5. A teacher shall not engage in the promotion of any political, religious, or other partisan
interest, and shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, require, collect, or receive any money, service
or other valuable material from any person or entity for such purposes.

20
Section 6. Every teacher shall vote and shall exercise all other constitutional rights and
responsibility.
Section 7. A teacher shall not use his position or official authority or influence to coerce any other
person to follow any political course of action.
Section 8. Every teacher shall enjoy academic freedom and shall have the privilege of sharing the
product of his researches and investigations, provided that, if the results are inimical to the
declared policies of the State, they shall be brought to the proper authorities for appropriate
remedial action.

Article III: The Teacher and the Community

Section 1. A teacher is a facilitator of learning and of the development of the youth; he shall,
therefore, render the best services by providing an environment conducive to such learning and
growth.
Section 2. Every teacher shall provide leadership and initiative to actively participate in community
movements for moral, social, educational, economic and civic betterment.
Section 3. Every teacher shall merit reasonable social recognition for which purpose he
shall behave with honor and dignity at all times and refrain from such activities as gambling,
smoking, drunkenness, and other excesses, much less illicit relations.
Section 4. Every teacher shall live for and with the community, and shall, therefore, study and
understand local customs and traditions in order to have sympathetic attitude, therefore, refrain
from disparaging the community.
Section 5. Every teacher shall help the school keep the people in the community informed about
the school’s work and accomplishments as well as its needs and problems.
Section 6. Every teacher is an intellectual leader in the community, especially in the barangay, and
shall welcome the opportunity to provide such leadership when needed, to extend counseling
services as appropriate, and to actively be involved in matters affecting the welfare of the people.
Section 7. Every teacher shall maintain harmonious and pleasant personal and official relations
with other professionals, with government officials, and with the people, individually or collectively.
Section 8. A teacher possesses freedom to attend church and worship, as appropriate, but shall not
use his position and influence to proselyte others.

Article IV: The Teacher and the Profession

Section 1. Every teacher shall actively help insure that teaching is the noblest profession, and shall
manifest genuine enthusiasm and pride in teaching as a noble calling.
Section 2. Every teacher shall uphold the highest possible standards of quality education, shall
make the best preparation for the career of teaching, and shall be at his best at all times and in the
practice of his profession.
Section 3. Every teacher shall participate in the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program
of the Professional Regulation Commission, and shall pursue such other studies as will improve his
efficiency, enhance the prestige of the profession, and strengthen his competence, virtues, and
productivity in order to be nationally and internationally competitive.
Section 4. Every teacher shall help, if duly authorized, to seek support for the school, but shall not
make improper misrepresentations through personal advertisements and other questionable
means.
Section 5. Every teacher shall use the teaching profession in a manner that makes it a dignified
means for earning a decent living.

21
Article V: The Teacher and the Teaching Community
Section 1. Teachers shall, at all times, be imbued with the spirit of professional loyalty, mutual
confidence, and faith in one another, self-sacrifice for the common good, and full cooperation with
colleagues. When the best interest of the learners, the school, or the profession is at stake in any
controversy, teachers shall support one another.
Section 2. A teacher is not entitled to claim credit for work not of his own, and shall give due credit
for the work of others which he may use.
Section 3. Before leaving his position, a teacher shall organize and leave to his successor such
records and other data as are necessary to carry on the work.
Section 4. A teacher shall hold inviolate all confidential information concerning associates and the
school, and shall not divulge to anyone documents which have not been officially released,
or remove records from the files without permission.
Section 5. It shall be the responsibility of every teacher to seek correctives for what may appear to
be an unprofessional and unethical conduct of any associate. However, this may be done only if
there is incontrovertible evidence for such conduct.
Section 6. A teacher may submit to the proper authorities any justifiable criticism against an
associate, preferably in writing, without violating any right of the individual concerned.
Section 7. A teacher may apply for a vacant position for which he is qualified; provided that he
respects the system of selection on the basis of merit and competence; provided, further, that all
qualified candidates are given the opportunity to be considered.

Article VI: The Teacher and Higher Authorities in the Philippines

Section 1. Every teacher shall make it his duty to make an honest effort to understand and support
the legitimate policies of the school and the administration regardless of personal feeling or private
opinion and shall faithfully carry them out.
Section 2. A teacher shall not make any false accusations or charges against superiors, especially
under anonymity. However, if there are valid charges, he should present such under oath to
competent authority.
Section 3. A teacher shall transact all official business through channels except when special
conditions warrant a different procedure, such as when special conditions are advocated but are
opposed by the immediate superiors, in which case, the teacher shall appeal directly to the
appropriate higher authority.
Section 4. A teacher, individually or as part of a group, has a right to seek redress against injustice
and discrimination to the administration and to the extent possible, shall raise his grievances within
acceptable democratic possesses. In doing so, he shall avoid jeopardizing the interest and the
welfare of learners whose right to learn must be respected.
Section 5. A teacher has a right to invoke the principle that appointments, promotions, and
transfers of teachers are made only on the basis of merit and need in the interest of the service.
Section 6. A teacher who accepts a position assumes a contractual obligation to live up to his
contract, assuming full knowledge of employment terms and conditions.

Article VII: School Officials, Teachers, and Other Personnel

Section 1. School officials shall at all times show professional courtesy, helpfulness and sympathy
towards teachers and other personnel, such practices being standards of effective school
supervision, dignified administration, responsible leadership and enlightened direction.
Section 2. School officials, teachers, and other school personnel shall consider it their cooperative
responsibility to formulate policies or introduce important changes in the system at all levels.

22
Section 3. School officials shall encourage and attend to the professional growth of all teachers
under them such as recommending them for promotion, giving them due recognition
for meritorious performance, and allowing them to participate in conferences and training
programs.
Section 4. No school official shall dismiss or recommend for dismissal a teacher
or other subordinates except for cause.
Section 5. School authorities concern shall ensure that public school teachers are employed in
accordance with pertinent civil service rules, and private school teachers are issued contracts
specifying the terms and conditions of their work; provided that they are given, if qualified,
subsequent permanent tenure, in accordance with existing laws, and provided further, that they are
duly registered and licensed professional teachers.

Article VIII: The Teachers and Learners

Section 1. A teacher has the right and duty to determine the academic marks and the promotion
of learners in the subject or grade he handles, provided that such determination shall be in
accordance with generally accepted procedures of evaluation and measurement. In case of any
complaint, teachers concerned shall immediately take appropriate action, observing due process.
Section 2. A teacher shall recognize that the interest and welfare of learners are his first and
foremost concern, and shall handle each learner justly and impartially.
Section 3. Under no circumstance shall a teacher be prejudiced nor discriminatory against any
learner.
Section 4. A teacher shall not accept favors or gifts from learners, their parents or others in
their behalf in exchange for requested concessions, especially if undeserved.
Section 5. A teacher shall not accept, directly or indirectly, any remuneration from tutorials
other than what is authorized for such service.
Section 6. A teacher shall base the evaluation of the learner’s work only on merit and quality
of academic performance.
Section 7. In a situation where mutual attraction and subsequent love develop between teacher and
learner, the teacher shall exercise utmost professional discretion to avoid scandal, gossip
and preferential treatment of the learner.
Section 8. A teacher shall not inflict corporal punishment on offending learners nor make
deductions from their scholastic ratings as a punishment for acts which are clearly not
manifestation of poor scholarship.
Section 9. A teacher shall ensure that conditions contributive to the maximum
development of learners are adequate, and shall extend needed assistance in preventing or solving
learner’s problems and difficulties.

Article IX: The Teachers and Parents

Section 1. A teacher shall establish and maintain cordial relations with parents, and shall conduct
himself to merit their confidence and respect.
Section 2. A teacher shall inform parents, through proper authorities, of the progress or
deficiencies of learners under him, exercising utmost candor and tact in pointing out the learners’
deficiencies and in seeking parent’s cooperation for the proper guidance and improvement of the
learners.
Section 3. A teacher shall hear parent’s complaints with sympathy and understanding, and shall
discourage unfair criticism.

23
Article X: The Teacher and Business
Section 1. A teacher has the right to engage, directly or indirectly, in legitimate income generation;
provided, that it does not relate to or adversely affect his work.
Section 2. A teacher shall maintain a good reputation with respect to financial matters such as in
the settlement of his debts, loans and other financial affairs.
Section 3. No teacher shall act, directly or indirectly, as agent of, or be financially interested in, any
commercial venture which furnish textbooks and other school commodities in the purchase and
disposal of which he can exercise official influence, except only when his assignment is inherently
related to such purchase and disposal; provided that such shall be in accordance with existing
regulations.

Article XI: The Teacher as a Person

Section 1. A teacher shall live with dignity in all places at all times.
Section 2. A teacher shall place premium upon self-respect and self-discipline as the principle
of personal behavior in all relationships with others and in all situations.
Section 3. A teacher shall maintain at all times a dignified personality which could serve as a model
worthy of emulation by learners, peers and others.
Section 4. A teacher shall always recognize the Almighty God or Being as guide of his own destiny
and of the destinies of men and nations.

Article XII: Disciplinary Action

Section 1. Any violation of any provision of this code shall be sufficient ground for the imposition
against the erring teacher of the disciplinary action consisting of revocation of his Certification of
Registration and License as a Professional Teacher, suspension from the practice of the teaching
profession, reprimand or cancellation of his temporary/special permit under causes specified in
Sec. 23, Article III of R.A. No. 7836, and under Rule 31, Article VIII, of the Rules and
Regulations Implementing R.A. 7836.

Article XIII: Effectivity

Section 1. This Code shall be approved by the Professional Regulation Commission and shall take
effect sixty (60) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general
circulation, whichever is earlier.

B. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR
PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, TO UPHOLD THE TIME-HONORED
PRINCIPLE OF PUBLIC OFFICE BEING A PUBLIC TRUST, GRANTING INCENTIVES
AND REWARDS FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE, ENUMERATING PROHIBITED ACTS
AND TRANSACTIONS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

Section 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for
Public Officials and Employees."
24
Section 2. Declaration of Policies. — 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.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the term:

(a) "Government" includes the national government, the local governments, and all other
instrumentalities, agencies or branches of the Republic of the Philippines including
government-owned or controlled corporations, and their subsidiaries.
(b) "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.
(c) "Gift" refers to a thing or a right disposed of gratuitously, or any act or liberality, in favor 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 favor from a public official or employee.
(d) "Receiving any gift" includes the act of accepting directly or indirectly, a gift from a person other
than a member of his family or relative as defined in this Act, even on the occasion of a family
celebration or national festivity like Christmas, if the value of the gift is neither nominal nor
insignificant, or the gift is given in anticipation of, or in exchange for, a favor.
(e) "Loan" covers both simple loan and commodatum as well as guarantees, financing arrangements
or accommodations intended to ensure its approval.
(f) "Substantial stockholder" means any person who owns, directly or indirectly, shares of stock
sufficient to elect a director of a corporation. This term shall also apply to the parties to a
voting trust.
(g) "Family of public officials or employees" means their spouses and unmarried children under
eighteen (18) years of age.
(h) "Person" includes natural and juridical persons unless the context indicates otherwise.
(i) "Conflict of interest" arises when a public official or employee is a member of a board, an
officer, or a substantial stockholder of a private corporation or owner or has a substantial
interest in a business, and the interest of such corporation or business, or his rights or duties
therein, may be opposed to or affected by the faithful performance of official duty.
(j) "Divestment" is the transfer of title or disposal of interest in property by voluntarily, completely
and actually depriving or dispossessing oneself of his right or title to it in favor of a person or
persons other than his spouse and relatives as defined in this Act.
(k) "Relatives" refers to any and all persons related to a public official or employee within the fourth
civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, including bilas, inso and balae.

Section 4. Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees.

(A) Every public official and employee shall observe the following as standards of personal conduct
in the discharge and execution of official duties:
(a) Commitment to public interest. — Public officials and employees shall always uphold the
public interest over and above personal interest. All government resources and powers of
their respective offices must be employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly and
economically, particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and revenues.

25
 (b) Professionalism. — Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties
with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill. They shall
enter public 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.
(c) Justness and sincerity. — Public officials and employees shall remain true to the people at all
times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate against anyone,
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 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.
(d) Political neutrality. — Public officials and employees shall provide service to everyone
without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.
(e) Responsiveness to the public. — Public officials and employees shall extend prompt,
courteous, and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by law or when
required by the public 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 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.
(f) Nationalism and patriotism. — Public officials and employees shall at all times be loyal to the
Republic and to the Filipino people, promote the use of locally produced goods, resources
and technology and encourage appreciation and pride of country and people. They shall
endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion.
(g) Commitment to democracy. — Public officials and employees shall commit themselves to
the democratic way of life and values, maintain the principle of public accountability, and
manifest by 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.
(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.
(B) The Civil Service Commission shall adopt positive measures to promote
(1) observance of these standards including the dissemination of information programs and
workshops authorizing merit increases beyond regular progression steps, to a limited
number of employees recognized by their office colleagues to be outstanding in their
observance of ethical standards; and
(2) continuing research and experimentation on measures which provide positive motivation to
public officials and employees in raising the general level of observance of these standards.

Section 5. Duties of Public Officials and Employees. — In the performance of their duties, all
public officials and employees are under obligation to:
(a) Act promptly on letters and requests. — All public officials and employees shall, within fifteen
(15) working days from receipt thereof, respond to letters, telegrams or other means of
communications sent by the public. The reply must contain the action taken on the request.

26
(b) Submit annual performance reports. — All heads or other responsible officers of offices and
agencies of the government and of 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 report shall be open and available to the
public within regular office hours.
(c) Process documents and papers expeditiously. — All official papers and documents must be
processed and completed within a reasonable time from the preparation thereof and must
contain, as far as practicable, not more than three (3) signatories therein. In the absence of duly
authorized signatories, the official next-in-rank or officer–in-charge shall sign for and in their
behalf.
(d) Act immediately on the public's personal transactions. — All public officials and 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.
(e) Make documents accessible to the public. — All public documents must be made accessible to,
and readily available for inspection by, the public within reasonable working hours.

Section 6. System of Incentives and Rewards. — A system of annual incentives and rewards is
hereby established in order to motivate and inspire public servants to uphold the highest standards
of ethics.
For this purpose, a Committee on Awards to Outstanding Public Officials and Employees is
hereby created composed of the following: the Ombudsman and Chairman of the Civil Service
Commission as Co-Chairmen, and the Chairman of the Commission on Audit, and two
government employees to be appointed by the President, as members.
It shall be the task of this Committee to conduct a periodic, continuing review of the performance
of public officials and employees, in all the branches and agencies of Government and establish a
system of annual incentives and rewards to the end that due recognition is given to public officials
and employees of outstanding merit on the basis of the standards set forth in this Act.
The conferment of awards shall take into account, among other things, the following: the years of
service and the quality and consistency of performance, the obscurity of the position, the level of
salary, the unique and exemplary quality of a certain achievement, and the risks or temptations
inherent in the work.
Incentives and rewards to government officials and employees of the year to be announced in
public ceremonies honoring them may take the form of bonuses, citations, directorships in
government-owned or controlled corporations, local and foreign scholarship grants, paid vacations
and the like. They shall likewise be automatically promoted to the next higher position with the
commensurate salary suitable to their qualifications. In case there is no next higher position or it is
not vacant, said position shall be included in the budget of the office in the next General
Appropriations Act.
The Committee on Awards shall adopt its own rules to govern the conduct of its activities.

Section 7. Prohibited Acts and Transactions. — In addition to acts and omissions of public officials
and employees now prescribed in the Constitution and existing laws, the following shall constitute
prohibited acts and transactions of any public official and employee and are hereby declared to be
unlawful:
(a) Financial and material interest. — Public officials and employees shall not, directly or indirectly,
have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of their office.

27
(b) Outside employment and other activities related thereto. — Public officials and employees
during their incumbency shall not:
(1) Own, control, manage or accept employment as officer, employee, consultant, counsel,
broker, agent, trustee or nominee in any private enterprise regulated, supervised or
licensed by their office unless expressly allowed by law;
(2) Engage in the private practice of their profession unless authorized by the Constitution or
law, provided, that such practice will not conflict or tend to conflict with their official
functions; or
(3) Recommend any person to any position in a private enterprise which has a regular or
pending official transaction with their office.
These prohibitions shall continue to apply for a period of one (1) year after resignation,
retirement, or separation from public office, except in the case of subparagraph (b) (2) above,
but the professional concerned cannot practice his profession in connection with any matter
before the office he used to be with, in which case the one-year prohibition shall likewise apply.
(c) Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information. — Public 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:
(1) To further their private interests, or give undue advantage to anyone; or
(2) To prejudice the public interest.
(d) Solicitation or acceptance 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 functions of their office. As to
gifts or grants from foreign governments, the Congress consents to:
(i) The acceptance and retention by a public official or employee of a gift of nominal value
tendered and received as a souvenir or mark of courtesy;
(ii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of a gift in the nature of a scholarship or
fellowship grant or medical treatment; or
(iii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of travel grants or expenses for travel
taking place entirely outside the Philippine (such as allowances, transportation, food, and
lodging) of more than nominal value if such acceptance is appropriate or consistent with
the interests of the Philippines, and permitted by the head of office, branch or agency to
which he belongs.
The Ombudsman shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
purpose of this subsection, including pertinent reporting and disclosure requirements.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or prohibit any educational, scientific or
cultural exchange programs subject to national security requirements.

Section 8. Statements and Disclosure. — Public officials and employees have an obligation to
accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their
assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and
of unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of age living in their households.
(A) Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Financial Disclosure. — All public officials and
employees, except those who serve in an honorary capacity, laborers and casual or temporary
workers, shall file under oath their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and a
Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial Connections and those of their spouses and

28
 unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of age living in their households. The two
documents shall contain information on the following:
(a) real property, its improvements, acquisition costs, assessed value and current fair market
value;
(b) personal property and acquisition cost;
(c) all other assets such as investments, cash on hand or in banks, stocks, bonds, and the like;
(d) liabilities, and;
(e) all business interests and financial connections.
The documents must be filed:
(a) within thirty (30) days after assumption of office;
(b) on or before April 30, of every year thereafter; and
(c) within thirty (30) days after separation from the service.
All public officials and employees required under this section to file the aforestated documents
shall also execute, within thirty (30) days from the date of their assumption of office, the necessary
authority in favor of the Ombudsman to obtain from all appropriate government agencies,
including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, such documents as may show their assets, liabilities, net
worth, and also their business interests and financial connections in previous years, including, if
possible, the year when they first assumed any office in the Government.
Husband and wife who are both public officials or employees may file the required statements
jointly or separately.
The Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and the Disclosure of Business Interests and
Financial Connections shall be filed by:
(1) Constitutional and national elective officials, with the national office of the Ombudsman;
(2) Senators and Congressmen, with the Secretaries of the Senate and the House of
Representatives, respectively; Justices, with the Clerk of Court of the Supreme Court;
Judges, with the Court Administrator; and all national executive officials with the Office of
the President;
(3) Regional and local officials and employees, with the Deputy Ombudsman in their
respective regions;
(4) Officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, with the Office of
the President, and those below said ranks, with the Deputy Ombudsman in their respective
regions; and
(5) All other public officials and employees, defined in Republic Act No. 3019, as amended,
with the Civil Service Commission.
(B) Identification and disclosure of relatives. — It shall be the duty of every public official or
employee to identify and disclose, to the best of his knowledge and information, his relatives in
the Government in the form, manner and frequency prescribed by the Civil Service
Commission.
(C) Accessibility of documents. —
(1) Any and all statements filed under this Act, shall be made available for inspection at
reasonable hours.
(2) Such statements shall be made available for copying or reproduction after ten (10) working
days from the time they are filed as required by law.
(3) Any person requesting a copy of a statement shall be required to pay a reasonable fee to
cover the cost of reproduction and mailing of such statement, as well as the cost of
certification.

29
 (4) Any statement filed under this Act shall be available to the public for a period of ten (10)
years after receipt of the statement. After such period, the statement may be destroyed
unless needed in an ongoing investigation.
(D) Prohibited acts. — It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or use any statement filed
under this Act for:
(a) any purpose contrary to morals or public policy; or
(b) any commercial purpose other than by news and communications media for dissemination
to the general public.

Section 9. Divestment. — A public official or employee shall avoid conflicts of interest at all times.
When a conflict of interest arises, he shall resign from his position in any private business
enterprise within thirty (30) days from his assumption of office and/or divest himself of his
shareholdings or interest within sixty (60) days from such assumption. The same rule shall apply
where the public official or employee is a partner in a partnership. The requirement of divestment
shall not apply to those who serve the Government in an honorary capacity nor to laborers and
casual or temporary workers.

Section 10. Review and Compliance Procedure.

(a) The designated Committees of both Houses of the Congress shall establish procedures for the
review of statements to determine whether said statements which have been submitted on time,
are complete, and are in proper form. In the event a determination is made that a statement is
not so filed, the appropriate Committee shall so inform the reporting individual and direct him
to take the necessary corrective action.
(b) In order to carry out their responsibilities under this Act, the designated Committees of both
Houses of Congress shall have the power within their respective jurisdictions, to render any
opinion interpreting this Act, in writing, to persons covered by this Act, subject in each instance
to the approval by affirmative vote of the majority of the particular House concerned. The
individual to whom an opinion is rendered, and any other individual involved in a similar
factual situation, and who, after issuance of the opinion acts in good faith in accordance with it
shall not be subject to any sanction provided in this Act.
(c) The heads of other offices shall perform the duties stated in subsections (a) and (b) hereof
insofar as their respective offices are concerned, subject to the approval of the Secretary of
Justice, in the case of the Executive Department and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in
the case of the Judicial Department.

Section 11. Penalties.

(a) Any public official or employee, regardless of whether or not he holds office or employment in
a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent or regular capacity, committing any violation of this
Act shall be punished with a fine not exceeding the equivalent of six (6) months' salary or
suspension not exceeding one (1) year, or removal depending on the gravity of the offense after
due notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency. If the violation is punishable by a
heavier penalty under another law, he shall be prosecuted under the latter statute. Violations of
Sections 7, 8 or 9 of this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding five (5)
years, or a fine not exceeding five thousand pesos (P5,000), or both, and, in the discretion of
the court of competent jurisdiction, disqualification to hold public office.

30
(b) Any violation hereof proven in a proper administrative proceeding shall be sufficient cause for
removal or dismissal of a public official or employee, even if no criminal prosecution is
instituted against him.
(c) Private individuals who participate in conspiracy as co-principals, accomplices or accessories,
with public officials or employees, in violation of this Act, shall be subject to the same penal
liabilities as the public officials or employees and shall be tried jointly with them.
(d) The official or employee concerned may bring an action against any person who obtains or
uses a report for any purpose prohibited by Section 8 (D) of this Act. The Court in which such
action is brought may assess against such person a penalty in any amount not to exceed twenty-
five thousand pesos (P25,000.00). If another sanction hereunder or under any other law is
heavier, the latter shall apply.

Section 12. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations, Administration and Enforcement of this Act.
The Civil Service Commission shall have the primary responsibility for the administration and
enforcement of this Act. It shall transmit all cases for prosecution arising from violations of this Act
to the proper authorities for appropriate action: Provided, however, That it may institute such
administrative actions and disciplinary measures as may be warranted in accordance with law.
Nothing in this provision shall be construed as a deprivation of the right of each House of
Congress to discipline its Members for disorderly behavior. The Civil Service Commission is
hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act, including guidelines for individuals who render free voluntary service to the Government. The
Ombudsman shall likewise take steps to protect citizens who denounce acts or omissions of public
officials and employees which are in violation of this Act.

Section 13. Provisions for More Stringent Standards. — Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
derogate from any law, or any regulation prescribed by anybody or agency, which provides for
more stringent standards for its official and employees.

Section 14. Appropriations. — The sum necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall
be taken from the appropriations of the Civil Service Commission. Thereafter, such sum as may
be needed for its continued implementation shall be included in the Annual General
Appropriations Act.

Section 15. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision
to any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of the Act or the application of
such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

Section 16. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees and orders or parts thereof inconsistent
herewith, are deemed repealed or modified accordingly, unless the same provide for a heavier
penalty.

Section 17. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after thirty (30) days following the completion of
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved, February 20, 1989.

31
How can the teachers live a dignified life? How should they deal with the internal and the external
stakeholders of the school?

What activities can they do? What activities are prohibited?

32
 XPLORATION

After the presentation of the information about the professionalization of teaching in the
Philippines and the Code of Ethics/Conduct that teachers should follow, do you think that you can
perform well your duties as a teacher?

Let us explore some more.

A. Reflect on these questions:

Why are teachers considered as professionals in the Philippines?
How does one become a professional teacher?
What are the similarities and/or differences between the provisions of PD 1006 and RA 7836?
What provisions of RA 7836 were amended?
Why do teachers have to strictly adhere to, observe, and practice the Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers?
What provisions of RA 6713 should teachers strictly follow, as public employees?

B. Self-paced reading/learning
Check the LET results for the last five years. What can you say about the quality of teachers
that Philippine Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) produced based on the results of the
LET?

Look for a newspaper, magazine or journal article pertaining to teacher’s behavior. How is this
article reflective of the provisions of the Code of Ethics/Conduct?

33
 PPLICATION

In this part, your knowledge and understanding about the information presented will be tested.

If you will be asked to create your own code of conduct as a teacher, what will you include here?
Create your own “My Ten Commandments” that will serve as your guide in the practice of your
profession.

34
 REFERENCES

Bilbao, P., Corpuz, B. B., Llagas, A. T., & Salandanan, G. S. (2015). The teaching profession (3rd
ed., OBE- & PPST-based). Quezon City. Lorimar Publishing, c. 2015.
Serrano, E.D. & Paez, A.R.M. (2015). Principles of teaching 1. Quezon City, Manila: Adriana
Publishing.
Tamayao, A. I. (2019). Embracing the teaching profession (1st ed.). Manila: Rex Book Store.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1976/09/22/presidential-decree-no-1006-s-1976/ (PD 1006)

https://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/PROFESSIONAL%20TEACHERS-LAW1.PDF
(RA 7836)
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnx0aGVyaW1sZ
XNzc3BlY3RhY2xlc3xneDoxOGY1NzVlNzBhMDU1YjM4 (RA 7836)
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/batangas-state-university/professional-education/republic-
act-7836-teaching-profession/5674665 (RA 7836)
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2004/04/21/republic-act-no-9293/ (RA 9293)
http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB03186.pdf (House Bill Amending RA 7836)
http://teachercodes.iiep.unesco.org/teachercodes/codes/Asia/Philippines.pdf
https://depedtambayan.net/the-code-of-ethics-for-professional-teachers/
https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/docs/republicacts/Republic_Act_No_6713.pdf (RA6713)

35