Civil servants as good exemplars
It’s the time of the year again for giving and receiving. Like anyone else, we make a bucket list of gifts we dream of receiving or gifting ourselves this Yuletide season. It’s another story, however, when public servants go beyond the bounds of ethics by soliciting food, and raffle prizes for holiday celebrations.
The Civil Service Commission, one of the three constitutional commissions of the Philippines with responsibility over the civil service that oversees the integrity of government actions and processes, reiterated anew the provisions of Republic Act 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” which prohibits civil servants from soliciting or accepting gifts, favors, loans or anything of monetary value in the course of their official duties.
Not only is the gift and solicitation policy stipulated in RA 6713 but also in Republic Act 3019 or “The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act” and the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.
Despite two laws and the 2017 RACCS, innovative crooks always find a way. They turn a blind eye by circumventing, and then get away with it — proud of the loot obtained directly or indirectly 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 one’s office.”
“Brilliant” violators… who as public officials and employees, should at all times be accountable to the people and 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.
Then-CSC Chairperson Alicia de la Rosa-Bala said, “Serving the public is our duty and we must give the best possible service and the extra mile without expecting anything in return.”
Section 50 (8), Rule 10 of the 2017 RACCS provides that, “Receiving for personal use of a fee, gift or other valuable things in the course of official duties or in connection therewith when such fee, gift or other valuable thing is given by any person in the hope or expectation of receiving a favor or better treatment than that accorded to other persons or committing acts punishable under the anti-graft laws.”
Violation of this provision, including RAs 6713 and 3019, is an offense punishable by suspension or dismissal from service, depending on the seriousness of the offense.
The CSC clarified that the propriety or impropriety of the gift shall be determined by value, kinship, or relationship between the giver and receiver, and the motivation. Something of monetary value is evidently or manifestly excessive by its very nature.
Atty. Aileen Lizada, CSC Commissioner, threw this objective argument about the abuse of power: “Sans your position in government, would a potential giver grant your solicitation request?”
“Example, susulatan ko as Commissioner ang mga may kaso sa amin at hihingi ako ng pang-raffle or lechon sa Pasko, sa tingin n’yo hindi sila (mag)bibigay.” (What if, as a CSC Commissioner, I will request for raffle prizes or Lechon for Christmas from those with pending cases with our office, do you think they will refuse?)
“Or kung nasa LTFRB
(Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) pa ako, at hihingi ako sa bus operators, UV, or taxi operators, tatanggihan ba nila ako? Hindi.
Takot lang nila.” (Or if I’m still with the LTFRB, and I ask bus operators, utility vehicles, or taxi operators, will they reject me? No. They will just be just afraid not to give).
Former American president Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand the test of adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
“Power corrupts” may not hold true all the time. Like alcohol, power may change someone’s character such that a drunk person becomes free of inhibitions and speaks his/her mind out. A person with position or power, on the other hand, may do anything to his heart’s desire regardless of existing laws. In a nutshell, position/ power shows what you are rather than changing who you are.
More likely to abuse authority and position are people who see power as a vehicle for attaining personal goals and pleasure, against those who see the power vested in them as the fulfillment of legitimate purpose and responsibilities.
Lizada’s reminder to public servants: “Do not abuse your position. To serve people requires integrity and dignity to be good exemplars. That is supposed to be the anchor of the more or less 1.7M public workers.”
“In a nutshell, position/ power shows what you are rather than changing who you are.
“Serving the public is our duty and we must give the best possible service and the extra mile without expecting anything in return.