“Ethics and Accountability in the Philippine Public Service: Role of Citizens, Public Officials, Private Sector and Civil Society

In my previous paper, I mentioned that values are as important in our government system as the other functions and political processes are. Unit VI discussed how crucial and vital ethics and accountability is in our government. It also talks about the significance of our own moral code, seeing that public ethics are part of the overall value system, and is culture as well as country-specific. Politicians and public servants especially those in high positions are hailed as models of integrity, and the public expects nothing more but honor and morality from them since they were elected or appointed to that …show more content…

They must give it their all in order to serve them properly and effectively and put our citizen’s welfare first before anything else. Another law which served to enforce proper behavior in our public officials is the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, R.A. 6713, Sec. 4 Norms of conduct of public officials and employees. It states that “every public official and employee shall observe the following (traits mentioned) as standards of personal conduct in the discharge and execution of official duties. The characteristics mentioned are: Commitment to public interest, Professionalism, Justness and sincerity, Political neutrality or nonpartisanship, Responsiveness to the public, Nationalism and patriotism, Commitment to Democracy and Simple Living. All this is to prevent our officials from being tempted with misconduct which could inevitably lead to corruption. All over the world, corruption is a major problem. Because it slows economic growth and hinders countries which would have otherwise achieved development. Different measures are being taken by the countries. In Philippine society, Political leaders, appointive officials, citizens, civil society and the private sector all have a role towards the prevention and punishment of corruption. Political leaders could streamline and clarify the regulatory framework as it is the single most