BJMP Entrance Exam General Information — RA 6713 — Code of Ethics for Public OfficialsCheat Sheet
RA 6713 — Code of Ethics for Public Officials cheat sheet — the reference card you wish you had on exam day. Condensed from the full study notes, this is the high-yield core of RA 6713 — Code of Ethics for Public Officials for BJMP Entrance Exam General Information. Download, print, revise.
Exam context
For the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Entrance Examination, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) tests General Information under a "Core" label, with RA 6713 — Code of Ethics for Public Officials in the 4th slot across 7 chapters. BJMP Entrance Exam candidates must clear the BJMP-set percentile cut on the 2026 paper, which draws about a meaningful share of General Information questions. Date to watch: Announced by BJMP per cycle.
RA 6713 — Code of Ethics for Public Officials - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Republic Act No. 6713 - the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees
Sections
Section Title
Basic Information and Definitions
Important Facts
- Family includes spouses and unmarried children under 18 years
- Relatives include persons within 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
- Government includes national, local, and all instrumentalities including GOCCs
- Loan covers simple loan, commodatum, guarantees, and financing arrangements
Key Definitions
Term
RA 6713
Example
The law that establishes ethical standards for all government workers
Definition
Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees
Term
Public Officials
Example
Barangay captain, teacher, police officer, judge
Definition
Elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or temporary, including military and police personnel, regardless of compensation
Term
Gift
Example
Free vacation, discounted items, favors given without proper payment
Definition
A thing or right disposed of gratuitously, including simulated sales or ostensibly onerous dispositions
Term
Divestment
Example
Selling shares in a company to avoid conflict of interest
Definition
Transfer of title or disposal of interest in property by completely depriving oneself of rights to it
Term
Conflict of Interest
Example
A mayor owning shares in a construction company bidding for city projects
Definition
When a public official's private interests may oppose or affect faithful performance of official duty
Term
Substantial Stockholder
Example
Person with 15% ownership in a company seeking government contracts
Definition
Any person owning shares sufficient to elect a director of a corporation
Section Title
Norms of Conduct (8 Standards)
Important Facts
- Civil Service Commission adopts positive measures to promote these standards
- Merit increases can be authorized for outstanding ethical performance
- Continuing research on positive motivation measures is required
Key Definitions
Term
Commitment to Public Interest
Example
Choosing the most cost-effective supplier even if personally inconvenient
Definition
Always uphold public interest over personal interest; use resources efficiently and economically
Term
Professionalism
Example
Completing work with high quality and avoiding favoritism
Definition
Perform duties with excellence, intelligence, and skill; discourage perceptions as patronage dispensers
Term
Justness and Sincerity
Example
Treating all citizens equally regardless of social status
Definition
Act with justice, no discrimination, especially protecting the poor and underprivileged
Term
Political Neutrality
Example
Processing permits equally for all applicants regardless of political party
Definition
Provide service without discrimination regardless of party affiliation or preference
Term
Responsiveness to Public
Example
Providing clear information about procedures and timelines
Definition
Extend prompt, courteous, adequate service; ensure transparency and avoid red tape
Term
Nationalism and Patriotism
Example
Encouraging use of Philippine-made products in government procurement
Definition
Loyalty to Republic and Filipino people; promote local products and defend sovereignty
Term
Commitment to Democracy
Example
Following proper democratic processes in decision-making
Definition
Uphold democratic values, public accountability, and civilian authority over military
Term
Simple Living
Example
Not purchasing luxury items that are disproportionate to salary
Definition
Lead modest lives appropriate to position and income; avoid extravagant displays of wealth
Common Values
Value
15 working days
Symbol
N/A
Quantity
Response time for letters
Value
45 working days from year end
Symbol
N/A
Quantity
Annual report deadline
Value
3 signatories
Symbol
N/A
Quantity
Maximum document signatories
Section Title
Duties of Public Officials (5 Key Duties)
Important Facts
- 15 working days - deadline for responding to letters and requests
- 45 working days - deadline for annual performance reports after year end
- Maximum 3 signatories required on official documents
- Reports must be open and available to public during regular hours
- Next-in-rank officer signs in absence of authorized signatories
Key Definitions
Term
Act Promptly on Letters
Example
Replying to citizen complaint with specific steps being taken
Definition
Respond to public communications within 15 working days with action taken
Term
Submit Annual Performance Reports
Example
Department secretary submitting yearly accomplishment report
Definition
Heads of offices render performance reports within 45 working days from year end
Term
Process Documents Expeditiously
Example
Processing permit applications efficiently with minimal signatures
Definition
Complete papers within reasonable time with maximum 3 signatories
Term
Act on Personal Transactions
Example
Immediately assisting citizens who visit government offices
Definition
Attend to anyone seeking office services promptly and expeditiously
Term
Make Documents Accessible
Example
Allowing citizens to review public records during office hours
Definition
Ensure public documents are available for inspection during reasonable hours
Section Title
Prohibited Acts and Transactions (4 Categories)
Important Facts
- Cannot engage in private practice unless authorized by Constitution or law
- Cannot recommend persons to private enterprises with official transactions
- Congress consents to gifts of nominal value as souvenirs
- Scholarships, fellowships, medical treatment from foreign governments allowed
- Travel grants outside Philippines allowed if consistent with national interest
Key Definitions
Term
Financial/Material Interest
Example
Mayor cannot have shares in company bidding for city contracts
Definition
Cannot have direct or indirect financial interest in transactions requiring office approval
Term
Outside Employment
Example
BSP official cannot own a bank unless Constitution permits
Definition
Cannot own, control, manage private enterprises regulated by their office unless allowed by law
Term
Disclosure of Confidential Info
Example
Cannot share insider information about upcoming government projects
Definition
Cannot use or divulge classified information for private gain or to prejudice public interest
Term
Solicitation of Gifts
Example
Cannot accept expensive dinner from contractor seeking permits
Definition
Cannot solicit or accept gifts, gratuities, favors in connection with official duties
Common Values
Value
30 days
Symbol
N/A
Quantity
SALN filing after assumption
Value
April 30
Symbol
N/A
Quantity
Annual SALN deadline
Value
10 working days
Symbol
N/A
Quantity
SALN availability for copying
Value
10 years
Symbol
N/A
Quantity
SALN public access period
Section Title
Statements and Disclosures
Important Facts
- Must file within 30 days after assumption of office
- Annual filing on or before April 30
- Must file within 30 days after separation from service
- Spouses can file jointly or separately
- Available for public inspection for 10 years
- Copying allowed after 10 working days with reasonable fee
- Includes real property, personal property, investments, liabilities
- Must identify and disclose relatives in government
Key Definitions
Term
SALN
Example
Annual declaration of properties, bank accounts, investments
Definition
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth - mandatory disclosure document
Term
Business Disclosure
Example
Declaration of spouse's business partnerships and investments
Definition
Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial Connections of official and family
Section Title
SALN Filing Offices
Important Facts
- Constitutional and national elective officials: National Office of Ombudsman
- Senators and Congressmen: Secretaries of Senate and House respectively
- Justices: Clerk of Court of Supreme Court
- Judges: Court Administrator
- National executive officials: Office of the President
- Regional and local officials: Deputy Ombudsman in their regions
- Armed forces colonel/naval captain and above: Office of President
- Below colonel/naval captain: Deputy Ombudsman in regions
- All other officials: Civil Service Commission
Common Values
Value
30 days
Symbol
N/A
Quantity
Business resignation deadline
Value
60 days
Symbol
N/A
Quantity
Shareholding divestment deadline
Section Title
Divestment and Conflict Resolution
Important Facts
- Must avoid conflicts of interest at all times
- 30 days to resign from private business positions
- 60 days to divest shareholdings from assumption of office
- Committee on Awards composed of Ombudsman, CSC Chair, COA Chair, and 2 presidential appointees
- Awards consider years of service, quality of performance, salary level, risks, and unique achievements
Key Definitions
Term
Divestment Timeline
Example
New department secretary must sell company shares within 60 days
Definition
Must resign from private business within 30 days and divest shareholdings within 60 days
Must Remember
- RA 6713 = Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees
- 8 Norms of Conduct: Public Interest, Professionalism, Justness, Political Neutrality, Responsiveness, Nationalism, Democracy, Simple Living
- 15 working days to respond to letters and requests
- 45 working days for annual performance reports after year end
- SALN filing: 30 days after assumption, annually by April 30, 30 days after separation
- 4 Prohibited Acts: Financial Interest, Outside Employment, Confidential Info Disclosure, Gift Solicitation
- Divestment: 30 days to resign from business, 60 days to divest shares
- Family = spouse + unmarried children under 18
- Relatives = within 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
- Maximum 3 signatories on official documents
Last Minute Tips
- Remember the specific timeframes - 15, 30, 45, 60 days are frequently tested
- Know where different officials file their SALN - this is a common multiple choice question
- Memorize all 8 norms of conduct - questions often ask you to match descriptions to specific norms
- Understand that gifts of 'nominal value' as souvenirs are allowed from foreign governments, but regular gifts are prohibited
- Don't confuse divestment (disposing of property) with disclosure (reporting assets) - they're different requirements
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- 15 working days
- Receipt of communication
Property
Response to letters/requests
Values
- 45 working days
- End of year
Property
Annual performance reports
Values
- 30 days
- Assumption of office
Property
SALN filing (new)
Values
- 30 days
- Separation from service
Property
SALN filing (separation)
Values
- 30 days
- Assumption of office
Property
Business resignation
Values
- 60 days
- Assumption of office
Property
Shareholding divestment
Values
- 10 working days
- Filing of statement
Property
SALN copying availability
Columns
- Activity
- Timeframe
- From When
Table Title
Key Timeframes in RA 6713
Rows
Values
- National Office of Ombudsman
Property
Constitutional/National Elective
Values
- Senate/House Secretaries
Property
Senators/Congressmen
Values
- Supreme Court Clerk
Property
Justices
Values
- Court Administrator
Property
Judges
Values
- Office of the President
Property
National Executive
Values
- Deputy Ombudsman (regions)
Property
Regional/Local
Values
- Office of the President
Property
Colonel/Naval Captain+
Values
- Deputy Ombudsman (regions)
Property
Below Colonel rank
Values
- Civil Service Commission
Property
All Others
Columns
- Official Type
- Filing Office
Table Title
SALN Filing Offices
Previous chapter
Constitutional Commissions & Local Government
Next chapter
Human Rights Laws of the Philippines
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