Negros Oriental State University
Bayawan-Sta. Catalina Campus
Bayawan City
Subject: Ed 14 (Values Education)
Instructor: RONA FAITH ERAGA, MAEd-Gen.Science
Student’s Name: ________________________
Year Level and Major: ____________________
Time Schedule: _________________________
Module 4
The Norms of Conduct for Public Employees
INTRODUCTION
One basic policy of the government concerning employee conduct and discipline
states: “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.”
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the module, the students are expected to internalize how we
should act as public servants.
CONTENTS OF THE MODULE
This module contains the following lessons:
Lesson 1: Ethical Standards in public service
1. Commitment to Public Interest
2. Professionalism
3. Political Neutrality
4. Responsiveness to the Public
5. Nationalism and Patriotism
Ethical Standards in
Lesson 1
Public Service
Specific Learning Outcomes
1. Appreciate the beauty of public service as a public trust
2. Reflect on the do’s and don’ts in the workplace by answering the questions in the
activities
3. Develop a feeling of empathy to our less fortunate brothers and sisters
Motivation/Prompting Questions
How important is trust in the picture? How can you relate public
service with trust?
Discussion
Public Service is a Public Trust
government employees are obliged to prove that they deserve the people’s
trust
TRUST is the basis of their employment and tenure in public service
once this trust is broken through misdeed or misconduct, you are held liable
the people’s taxes sustain your salaries and other benefits therefore the people
expect to be served well
a government position is not a private preserve nor its not your private
property to do with it any wish you want to
one must live by rules, regulations, norms of conduct and discipline that are at
all times expected of a public servant
public interest comes first and foremost, rising well above personal goals
It is important that you read and understand the norms of conduct and ethical
standards that you will follow in the performance of your duties. The norms are
actually values that you should manifest in your personal and work life—the values
that should always influence your decisions and actions.
1. Commitment to Public Interest
Section 4 (a), R. A. 6713 states:
“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.”
Learning Activities/Exercises
Activity No. 1
With this definition, how can you manifest this norm in your workplace?
Place a check mark if you agree with the following manifestations of
commitment to public interest:
use official vehicle in going to you personal physician for regular medical check-
up
dispose garbage properly
bring home office supplies
use office computer for encoding your research study in school
take care of office equipment as if they are your own so that they will not
breakdown easily
preserve public property and domain
expose graft and corruption
recycle office supplies
use leisurely telephone for personal calls
Use xerox machine or copier for personal needs
Expose hazards to health in the community
Grant business permit despite non-conformance with same provisions of the
building code
Buy groceries for home consumption from discretionary fund
Use office supplies economically
In answering the above exercises, you should be guided by public
interest. Your decision should be for the interest of the common good or for the
good of the people.
Commitment to common good means you have the ability to look
beyond selfish or personal interest having a sense of justice and a sense of
outrage at its violation.
Moreover, commitment to public interest also means that you must
not use your position, office, government affiliation, information or property to
pursue your personal interest.
It is sad to hear that some government people say, “Never mind if the
computer bogs down, the government can afford to have it repaired
anyway.” Public funds and property should be utilized with diligence of a good
father/mother of the family because you are a part of the government. As a
government official or employee, you must take good care of government
funds, property and supplies to effect efficiency.
Discussion
2. Professionalism
Pursuant to Sec. 4 of RA 6713:
“Professionalism” – Public officials and employees shall perform and
discharge their duties and responsibilities 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.”
Do you find the definition of professionalism quite broad?
The professional is a person equipped with certain qualities and has a
supportive environment behind him/her. There are five (5) dimensions to
professionalism.
1. Specialized Knowledge. Professional work involves a distinct area of
knowledge or technology, a specialization, about which a high level of
proficiency or familiarity is required. Not only doctors, CPAs, engineers,
lawyers, teachers, etc. are considered professionals. If you are a driver, or a
clerk, or a utility worker, you are also considered as a professional. As long as
you possess a specialized knowledge about your job, you can best do it.
2. Skills. Skills is the application of knowledge or techniques to a particular
situation or task. It is the way you put your specialized knowledge into practice.
These skills are seen in the conscientiousness and in the degree of
authoritiveness and confidence with which you tackle your work.
3. Standards. is a measure or something established to serve a ruler or basis of
comparison in measuring or judging a capacity, quantity, quality, extent,
and/or value. Standard is also a criterion. Simply standard in the case, refers to
any thing which measure the quality of your work. The Performance Appraisal
System of your organization, your daily work targets, the Promotion criteria are
examples of standards. The code of conduct is a ruler by which the conduct of
government employees, are measured.
The values of the person are also standards. These are internal
standards set by the individual. For example, if you work beyond your normal
office hours because you want to finish your work is an indication of how you
value your job.
4. Spirit. Refers to the esprit d’ corps which is shared by people who have
something in common. This spirit binds professionals like CPAs, doctors and
architects. It is also the spirit which creates a good team in the organization.
You can identify with others because you have something in common. With a
common group spirit, things can be done better, common rules to follow can
be set and the public gets to recognize and respect the group. Such positive
spirit contributes to your feeling of empowerment and importance and creates
a healthy environment in the work place.
5. Supportive Environment. Licensure examinations are indicators of the support
government gives to certain professionals like doctors, engineers and teachers.
This kind of support often results in status for the professional. In government,
this supportive environment also refers to external factors which fosters
support for professionalism. For example, the position title in your job provides
you a sense of recognition. Organization rewards for performance as well as
monetary and non-monetary benefits are also other forms of support
mechanisms.
There are times, one or two of these dimensions would be
lacking, and somehow this would diminish your being a professional.
Sometimes, you may have the skills, the knowledge, the team spirit, but the
standards are not well set. At times, your organization does not give you
enough support, so you do not work as hard as you should.
Can you recall this factors that prevent you from giving your
best in the performance of your job?
We may call these factors as blocks or pains that hinder your
work performance.
You cannot deny that there are some blocks outside your
control. But there are blocks that you can control. And one of these is your
individual output.
An output is the thing you produced as part of your job, i.e., a
course design, a letter-reply, approved permit, a clean office, etc. As a
professional government employee, you want your client to leave your office
satisfied with your service. You want your output to reflect professionalism.
Because you have the power to control over results of your outputs, you can
strive to produce an excellent output so that public may best be served and
you feel happy when you see your client leaves your office with a smile.
So you also experience joys in your work, the positive side, that
tells you it is worth after all to stay in public service.
Do you realize that you are important to public service? You
have a vital role to play no matter what your job is. Your work no matter how
small is important in the work process of your organization.
3. Political Neutrality
“Political Neutrality” – Public officials and employees shall provide
service to everyone without unfair discrimination and regardless of party
affiliation or preference.”
The concept of political neutrality may serve as an ethical guide in the
actions and decisions of government officials and employees. It is a concept
that promotes impartiality and objectivity in the exercise of your duties and
responsibilities in the face of political bias and/or pressure
To be neutral is to refrain from taking part directly or indirectly in a
conflict/struggle between two or more competing groups. Hence, you are not
supposed to favor any individual or group because of his/her political
affiliation.
Many politicians regard government service as part of the national
spoils system. The attitude of many politicians is “If we win, woe to all of you
for I will replace you with my own people.” To move away from depending on
politicians you can run to, you must see to it that you move up within the career
ladder on the basis of merit.
Politicians must also see to it that they follow the principle of merit and
fitness in personnel actions.
Administration officials and elective officials, therefore, as rule, should
not favor for instance those officials belonging to the political party of the
administration in the release of funds in the implementation of government
policies/projects.
As employee in the government, you are prohibited to participate
actively in political campaigns. Your only duty is to vote. However, this rule
does not apply to informal private discussions among your co-workers. You are
free to say whatever you wish. So you can say why you like this particular
candidate. But you must not use your position to further the ends of your
candidate.
4. Justness and Sincerity
Pursuant 4,RA 6713 states:
“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 f 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”
Justness and sincerity
are virtues which you must possess to “remain true to the public at all times.”
a fair determination of a problem or situation requiring action
Sincerity, in the other hand may be defined as a state of mind which is truthful,
free from hypocrisy or deceit.
You have to have an open mind before making a decision so that it will be free
from prejudice and an honest and humble mind disposed to admit a mistake
and to correct it.
To be just and sincere means to serve people without discrimination.
It is stemmed from a basic value called honesty. Honesty leads not only to
justness and sincerity but also loyalty, fairness and the truth.
Honesty is reinforced by this verse from the bible (Luke 16:10)– “
Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is
dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones.” Ponder about it. Do
you think it is right when you get small things not your own? It is dishonesty.
It is still dishonesty when you are not true or faithful in a relationship.
Also when a government official use a government resource to make an
administration candidate win an election is another from od dishonesty. As long
as you take advantage of another or of any situation it is dishonesty.
Activity No. 2
Can you recall an experience when your honesty was tested? or when you
become a victim of dishonesty?
1. What can you conclude from your story?
2. What can you say about honesty? About being just and sincere?
3. How can you show justness and sincerity in the performance of your work?
Jesus said (John 8:32) “The truth shall make you free.” When you tell the truth,
it does not need any defense or justifications. If you are firm to your commitment and
values, if you know where your heart is, it will be easy for your body to follow. This
means that if truth is in your heart, then it will be easy for you to be honest in small and
big ways.
Discussion
4. Responsiveness to the Public
“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, officials and employees
shall provide information on their policies and procedures in clear
understandable language, ensure openness of information, public consultations
and hearings and whenever appropriate, encourage suggestions simplify and
systematize policy, rules and procedures, avoid red tapes and develop an
understanding and appreciation of the socio-economic conditions prevailing in
the country, especially in the depressed rural and urban areas.
There was a time when people perceived that things moved slowly in
government. The difficulty in getting even just a clearance from a government
agency was a legend.
Responsiveness refers to your awareness of other people’s needs with the
ability to give the appropriate assistance to such needs. It is being sensitive to
the needs and demands of the client where delivery of public goods and services
are concerned.
It is simply serving people courteously, promptly, and adequately. You are
responsive if you are mindful of how the people who get to your office feel.
They must not be kept waiting for so long. How would you feel if you have to
wait for three or sometimes the whole day before you can get a clearance or
passport or a permit? Responsive means “Mamamayan muna, Hindi Mamaya
Na.” It means serving the citizens first.
It is also making the clients comfortable by providing them administrative ease
and convenience such as setting up public assistance counter in an office or
agency, waiting sheds, and even wash/rest rooms.
Social Consciousness
You may wonder why one person is so concerned with the poor and the
oppressed than another. Why are some people driven to go to the hills or to
the streets to fight for justice?
The answer to these questions can be traced to a level of awareness of
the person of human situation or conditions. This is known as social
consciousness. A social conscious person possesses a level of understanding
which is deeply rooted within him/her. This influences his/her behavior to
care for and emphasize with the poor. Having such social consciousness will
lead to social responsibility and responsiveness.
Understanding the condition of the poor
How well do you understand the conditions of the poor? Do you know
how they feel? Have you experienced their conditions?
Why do the poor remain poor? You always hear the saying that “ the
rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.” This is happening
all over the world. Why is it so?
A bigger percentage of the people are becoming hungrier and poorer than
before.
Why do this happen when originally people had their share of the
means of production? They had raw materials. They worked and produced
food.
With the development of capitalism, man with money or capital
became the owner---owner of raw materials, of equipment, tools, and even
labor. The workers were separated from their products. The products
belonged to the owner and not to the person who produce them.
This separation of the workers from their product divided people into
two classes: the owner who possess income producing property such as
land, machinery, factory, extra houses from which they could make money;
and the non-owner who had little or no property and depended entirely in
selling their labor for a living.
This division between those who have money and those with little or
without money is one of the major causes of the growing gaps between the
rich and the poor. The more profit the owner have the more he/she can
expand his/her business or land which means more profit while the non-
owners have just little money or none at all for their families and daily
needs.
Activity No. 3
Below may trigger your thought to reflect on the conditions of your
brothers/sisters from the lower economic status:
How can you show Responsiveness? What realization did you gain from this
session?
Discussion
5. Nationalism and Patriotism
Section 4, RA 6713 states:
“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.
What does nationalism and patriotism means?
To enable you to answer this question, it would be good if you could
first get in touch with your feelings about being a Filipino.
Now that you have made some discoveries about your feelings about
being a Filipino, what awareness comes into your mind? What emotions
surface? Is it love for one’s country – is it nationalism or patriotism?
Nationalism and patriotism is anchored on love for one’s country. It
encompasses active awareness, appreciation and being proud of the
Philippines. It is that feeling of having a sense of national identity and/or a
sense of nationhood. It is being aware of binding forces that unite Filipino
people such as common soil, common ancestry/kinship of blood, and a
common destiny.
Love of country is embodied in the words of Dr.Jose Rizal when he said
“…In my heart, I have suppressed all loves, except that of my native land; in my
mind, I have erased all ideas which do not signify her progress….Let this be our
only motto: For the welfare of the native land.”
Or in the words of Andres Bonifacio--“…Walang pag-ibig ang hihigit pa
sa pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa.” (No other love ould be greater or surpassed
one’s love for his native land.)
Also in the words of Gregorio del Pilar--“No sacrifice can be too great
for the country.”
Today, you don’t have to be a martyr to show your love for your
country. In your own small ways, you can show your love for the country in the
proper disposal of garbage, keeping your place clean and green, saving water
and electricity, serving people utmost diligence, patronizing Filipino products,
voting in an election and a lot more.
On a higher plane, you can show your nationalism and patriotism if you
are courageous enough to fight drug addiction, guard the sanctity of the ballot,
expose graft and corruption in government, protect the threatened
environment, shield the gullible against the rapacious, and/or defend the rights
of the defendless.
If you strive to make this country a decent place to live or make the
Philippines a place where you can raise your children without fear for their
safety and where they can enjoy a better life than you have had, then you are
nationalistic and patriotic.
We Can Be Proud of Ourselves
When we talk about health concepts, our ancestors already practiced folk or
herbal medicine.
When we talk about concepts in science, our ancestors knew how to predict
earthquakes and they had knowledge of chemistry , as evidenced by well-
preserved mummies in the caves of the Cordillera Mountains in Northern
Luzon.
The rice terraces as an engineering marvel which our forefathers built as
monuments of survival and life in contrast to other monuments built by other
civilizations which are symbols of inhumanity since building them killed or
sacrificed hundreds of thousands of slaves.
Our folklores and myth, such as Si Malakas at Si Maganda, Maria Makiling,
Makahiya, spoke people’s kindness and sacrifices for love and beloved.
Do you know that the Philippines had the first newspaper– La Solaridad?
Do you know that the country was the first republic in Asia?
Do you also know that our country was the first to have this so-called “people’s
power?
And do you know that our very own Dr.Jose Rizal was considered as the “Pride
of the Malays”.
Activity No. 4
1. How do you feel now for our country? Do you now feel a sense of pride for
her knowing how “powerful” Filipinos are as people? How would you show
your love for her? How much do you care about her?
2. Enumerate 5 things that you can be proud as Filipinos or about the
Philippines.
Description Why do you say so?
Ex. Filipinos are brave We have so many great men and women
people. who fought and died for our freedom.
Practice Task/Assessment
1. How can you show your commitment to public interest?
2. How can you be more professional? How can you improve the work you do in
the office to improve your service to the public?
3. How can you put into practice political neutrality?
Assignment
What kind of public servant (teacher) do you want to be? Describe your ideal
one.
