Civil Service FAQ Employee Conduct and Ethics Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A public officer is offered a modest gift by a supplier during the Christmas season as a token of appreciation. According to R.A. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, what is the most appropriate action for the officer to take?
- Accept the gift, as it is a traditional gesture of goodwill during the holidays.
- Politely decline the gift, explaining that government policy prohibits the acceptance of gifts from individuals they serve or regulate. (Correct answer)
- Accept the gift but declare it in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
- Accept the gift and share it with colleagues in the office to promote camaraderie.
Correct answer: Politely decline the gift, explaining that government policy prohibits the acceptance of gifts from individuals they serve or regulate.
R.A. 6713, Section 7(d), explicitly prohibits public officials and employees from soliciting or accepting, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office. While there are minor exceptions for unsolicited gifts of nominal value not given in anticipation of a favor, the strictest and most ethical course of action is to politely decline to avoid any perception of impropriety.
Question 2: Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding a public employee's responsibility with government property?
- Using office supplies for a child's school project is permissible if the cost is minimal.
- An employee is liable for the loss or damage of government property in their custody if it is due to their negligence. (Correct answer)
- Government vehicles can be used for personal errands after office hours as long as the employee shoulders the fuel cost.
- It is acceptable to install personal software on an office computer if it helps improve personal productivity.
Correct answer: An employee is liable for the loss or damage of government property in their custody if it is due to their negligence.
Public officials and employees are accountable for the proper use and safeguarding of government property entrusted to them. They are liable for any loss, damage, or deterioration caused by their negligence. Using government resources like supplies, vehicles, or computers for personal purposes is generally prohibited as it does not serve the public interest and constitutes a misuse of public assets.
Question 3: An engineer working in a municipal planning office has a spouse who owns a significant share in a construction company that frequently bids for local government projects. According to R.A. 6713, what does this situation represent?
- A case of nepotism.
- A standard business practice.
- A conflict of interest. (Correct answer)
- An act of disloyalty to the Republic.
Correct answer: A conflict of interest.
A conflict of interest arises when a public official's private interests, or those of their family, may be opposed to or affected by the faithful performance of their official duties. In this scenario, the engineer's duty to impartially evaluate projects could be influenced by their spouse's financial interest in a bidding company.
Question 4: Which of the following acts is NOT considered one of the eight (8) norms of conduct for public officials and employees under Republic Act No. 6713?
- Political Neutrality
- Commitment to Public Interest
- Financial Prudence (Correct answer)
- Professionalism
Correct answer: Financial Prudence
The eight norms of conduct under Section 4 of R.A. 6713 are: (1) Commitment to public interest, (2) Professionalism, (3) Justness and sincerity, (4) Political neutrality, (5) Responsiveness to the public, (6) Nationalism and patriotism, (7) Commitment to democracy, and (8) Simple living. While financial prudence is a desirable trait, it is not explicitly listed as one of the eight fundamental norms in this specific law.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of requiring public officials and employees to file a Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN)?
- To provide a basis for computing the employee's annual performance bonus.
- To ensure that government employees are living within their means and to detect unexplained wealth. (Correct answer)
- To create a public directory of all government workers and their financial statuses.
- To assess the employee's eligibility for government loans and financial assistance.
Correct answer: To ensure that government employees are living within their means and to detect unexplained wealth.
The main purpose of the SALN is to promote transparency and accountability in public service. It serves as a tool for the public and anti-corruption agencies to determine if an official's wealth is proportionate to their lawful income, thereby helping to detect and prevent graft and corruption.
Question 6: A civil servant discovers that their immediate supervisor is using confidential information from their office to give a relative an unfair advantage in a private business transaction. Under R.A. 6713, which prohibited act is the supervisor committing?
- Solicitation of gifts
- Outside employment
- Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information (Correct answer)
- Having a financial or material interest in an official transaction
Correct answer: Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information
Section 7(c) of R.A. 6713 prohibits public officials and employees from using or divulging confidential or classified information known to them by reason of their office to further their private interests or to give undue advantage to anyone. The supervisor's action directly violates this provision.
Civil Service FAQ Employee Conduct and Ethics Questions and Answers
A public officer is offered a modest gift by a supplier during the Christmas season as a token of appreciation.
According to R.A. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, what is the most appropriate action for the officer to take?