A little more than a month before the Yuletide season officially begins, government workers are warned against accepting gifts or soliciting items for Christmas parties or holiday celebrations.

Civil Service Commissioner, Atty. Aileen Lizada, on Saturday, said solicitation or acceptance of gifts violates Republic Act 6713 otherwise known as an Act Establishing A Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Republic Act 3019 or "The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act."

The 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service also specifically prohibits "soliciting or accepting directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value in the course of one's 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."

"The important question here is that we must remember: If you are not in the position, will the solicited item be given to you? Of course not, right?" Lizada said, adding that these laws are implemented so that government positions are not abused.

She went on to say that if she, as CSC Commissioner, requests for raffle prizes or Lechon for Christmas from those with a pending case with their office, they will certainly be granted.

"Or if I'm still in the LTFRB, and I ask the bus operators, UV or taxi operators, will they reject me? No. They will just be afraid," she added in Filipino.

Section 7(d) of RA 6713 states: "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."

The law's penalty clause reads: "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 months' salary or suspension not exceeding one year, or removal from office depending on the gravity of the offense after due notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency."