Code of Ethics for public officials revisited

I keep hearing about so many people who are applying for government jobs. Not just for the rank-and-file positions such as clerks and administrative aides, but for the managerial and executive positions like bureau chiefs and heads of agencies. This begs the question, are they aware of the responsibilities and obligations they must assume to be effective in public office?

It may be good to look back a bit in time and revisit Republic Act 6713 (approved February 1989), titled the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees", or simply the Code of Ethics for those who work in government.

It is a beautiful piece of legislation, although I really wanted to say "a noble" one considering it intends to raise the quality of public service in our country.

The law declares the following State policies: (a) Promote a high standard of ethics in public service; (b) 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; (c) They should act with patriotism and justice and shall lead modest lives, and (d) They should uphold public interest over personal interest.

When the law says that certain principles are State policies, it means that the policies are regarded as fundamental building blocks essential for public service.

Ethics as a discipline is the study of right and wrong conduct. It involves discernment. One is ethical if he/she does the right thing. But when is something right or wrong? Situationist philosophers believe that it is somewhere between two extremes and depends on the circumstances involved. The public official must discern it.

Accountable means that, at all times — and I mean ALL, government employees, from the lowest to the highest, may be held to answer for their inefficiency, lack of attentiveness to the problems brought up to them for solutions, discourtesy, difficult procedures, laziness, and most importantly, corruption.

Responsibility is when a public servant can give a proper response to a problem brought to one's attention. The response is based on the authority given by the office, which validates her action.

Integrity is when one is true to the duty, and not dissociated from it when transacting with the public. It comes from the word "integral," which means your action and what your office directs you to do are the same.

Loyalty is the predisposition to uphold the interest of the public and the country. What about the appointing authority? One does not serve the sole interest of the appointing authority; instead, one must serve or honor the country. Good performance will be the ultimate legacy to leave the country.

Patriotism is love for the country. It comes from the Latin term "Patria," meaning country. It is manifested when one has a sense of responsibility to the country and believes that discharging his office functions well will make the country better and improve the lives of all.

Justice is giving everyone his due. Justice is not only dispensed by the judiciary but by everyone who holds a position of trust which is what public office is. There is justice in society when all laws are applied to all regardless of status and circumstance.

The above standards are indispensable in public service. The absence of these will render the positions and actions meaningless.

And last but certainly not least, those in public office should lead modest lives. This is to avoid the slightest doubt about the integrity of the public office. The slightest doubt may lead to huge mistrust in the government entirely. The relationship between the public and the government must be based on trust.