AFPSAT General Information — RA 6713 — Code of Ethics for Public OfficialsRevision Notes

Exam Tips

• Memorize the exact definition of public officials as it appears frequently in exams
• Remember that compensation is not a requirement for coverage under the law
• Focus on the scope of coverage - it includes ALL government entities and instrumentalities

Key Points

• RA 6713 is officially titled 'Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees'
• The law upholds the principle that public office is a public trust
• Public officials include ALL government employees - elective, appointive, permanent, temporary, career, non-career, military, and police personnel
• Coverage extends to national government, local governments, and all government instrumentalities including GOCCs
• Family members are defined as spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age
• Relatives include persons within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity

Definitions

Section Title

Basic Provisions and Definitions

Common Mistakes

• Thinking the law only applies to high-ranking officials - it covers ALL public employees
• Assuming military and police are exempt - they are explicitly included
• Confusing relatives with family members - relatives extend to fourth civil degree

Exam Tips

• Create acronyms to remember all eight norms: 'CPJPRN-CD' (Commitment, Professionalism, Justness, Political neutrality, Responsiveness, Nationalism, Commitment to democracy, Simple living)
• Pay attention to key phrases like 'public interest over personal interest'
• Remember that responsiveness includes transparency and avoiding red tape

Key Points

• Eight norms of conduct serve as standards for all public officials and employees
• Commitment to public interest - Public interest over personal interest always
• Professionalism - Highest degree of excellence, intelligence, and skill
• Justness and sincerity - Remain true to people, no discrimination especially against poor
• Political neutrality - Service without unfair discrimination regardless of party affiliation
• Responsiveness to the public - Prompt, courteous, adequate service with transparency
• Nationalism and patriotism - Loyalty to Republic and Filipino people, promote local products
• Commitment to democracy - Democratic values, public accountability, civilian authority over military
• Simple living - Modest lives appropriate to position and income, no extravagant displays

Definitions

Section Title

Norms of Conduct - Eight Standards of Personal Conduct

Common Mistakes

• Confusing the order or exact wording of the eight norms of conduct
• Mixing up political neutrality with nationalism and patriotism
• Not understanding that simple living applies to family members too

Exam Tips

• Memorize the specific time frames: 15 working days for responses, 45 working days for reports
• Remember the three-signatory rule for document processing
• Focus on the requirement that documents must be accessible to the public

Key Points

• Five specific duties are mandated for all public officials and employees
• Act promptly on letters and requests - 15 working days response time required
• Submit annual performance reports - 45 working days from end of year, open to public
• Process documents expeditiously - reasonable time, maximum 3 signatories
• Act immediately on public's personal transactions - prompt and expeditious service
• Make documents accessible to the public - available during reasonable working hours
• Response letters must contain the action taken on the request
• Performance reports must be available to public during regular office hours

Definitions

Section Title

Duties of Public Officials and Employees

Common Mistakes

• Confusing the 15-day rule with calendar days instead of working days
• Thinking performance reports are only for internal use - they must be public
• Not remembering that responses must contain the action taken

Exam Tips

• Remember the four categories: Financial interest, Outside employment, Confidential information, Gifts
• Pay attention to exceptions, especially for foreign government gifts
• Understand that professional practice may be allowed if no conflict exists

Key Points

• Four main categories of prohibited acts are specified in the law
• Financial and material interest - No direct or indirect interest in transactions requiring office approval
• Outside employment restrictions - Cannot own, control, or work in regulated private enterprises
• Professional practice allowed only if authorized by Constitution or law and no conflict exists
• Cannot recommend persons to positions in enterprises with official transactions
• Disclosure/misuse of confidential information - Cannot use classified information for private gain
• Solicitation or acceptance of gifts - Cannot solicit or accept gifts, gratuities, favors, loans
• Exceptions exist for gifts from foreign governments of nominal value or educational nature

Definitions

Section Title

Prohibited Acts and Transactions

Common Mistakes

• Thinking all outside employment is prohibited - only those creating conflicts are banned
• Not understanding exceptions for gifts from foreign governments
• Confusing disclosure requirements with misuse of confidential information

Exam Tips

• Remember the three filing occasions: assumption (30 days), annually (April 30), separation (30 days)
• Know the different filing locations for different levels of officials
• Understand that SALNs are public documents with specific access procedures

Key Points

• All public officials must file SALN and Disclosure of Business Interests except honorary workers, laborers, casual/temporary workers
• SALN must include real property, personal property, investments, liabilities, and business interests
• Filing requirements: within 30 days of assumption, annually by April 30, within 30 days of separation
• Different filing locations based on position level and jurisdiction
• SALN documents are public and accessible for inspection during reasonable hours
• Available for copying after 10 working days from filing with reasonable fees
• Documents kept for 10 years unless needed for ongoing investigation
• Husband and wife who are both public officials may file jointly or separately

Definitions

Section Title

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN)

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting that laborers and casual workers are exempt from SALN requirements
• Confusing the different filing deadlines and locations
• Not knowing that SALNs are public documents available for inspection

Exam Tips

• Remember the Committee composition: Ombudsman + CSC Chair (Co-Chairs), COA Chair + 2 presidential appointees
• Know the divestment timelines: 30 days for position resignation, 60 days for shareholding divestment
• Understand that the system includes both incentives for compliance and penalties for violations

Key Points

• Committee on Awards to Outstanding Public Officials established for recognition system
• Committee composed of Ombudsman and CSC Chairman as Co-Chairs, COA Chairman and two presidential appointees
• Awards consider years of service, quality of performance, position obscurity, salary level, unique achievements, and risks
• Divestment required within 30 days for conflicts of interest, 60 days for shareholdings
• Civil Service Commission responsible for positive measures and continuing research
• Merit increases authorized for employees outstanding in ethical standards observance
• Violations subject to penalties as provided in the Constitution and existing laws

Definitions

Section Title

Incentives, Rewards, and Enforcement

Common Mistakes

• Confusing the composition of the Committee on Awards
• Not remembering the specific timeframes for divestment actions
• Thinking awards are only for high-ranking officials