Government officials must be above reproach

If you cannot stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. If you cannot face the scrutiny of the people, the watchful eyes of the press, the social media, the Ombudsman, the Sandiganbayan and the impeachment court, then stay out of the government.

Those who are elected or appointed to government office should stop believing and behaving as if the people owe them favors when they perform their duties and responsibilities. They cannot make "epal" by claiming credit for ayuda, Tupad, Aics or whatever dole-outs are distributed. These are not their money or property. The people are entitled to them.

Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards For Public Officials and Employees outlines the strict behavioral standards that should be manifested by them. This law is President Cory Aquino's lasting and most enduring legacy to the Filipino people. No other presidents, from Aguinaldo down to Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ever thought of this very important piece of legislation.

This law is the implementing legislation aimed at putting life to the 1987 constitutional principle that a public office is a public trust. Under Section 5 of this law, the norms of conduct of public officials are punctiliously outlined. I urge all public officials and personnel to put this in their minds, hearts and consciences: Those in government, including the relatives and friends of congressmen and senators who get salaries by 15-30 arrangement, should read this. Mahiya naman sila.

Section 4, of RA 6713 postulates that every public official and employee shall observe the following as standards of personal conduct in the discharge and execution of official duties: (a) Commitment to public interest. Public officials and employees shall always uphold the public interest over and above personal interest. All government resources and powers of their respective offices must be employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically, particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and revenues.

Secondly, all in government should think, talk and act with professionalism. Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill. They shall enter public service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty. They shall endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as dispensers or peddlers of undue patronage. I know of a senator who had been absent for more than four months already and keeps on collecting salaries, like his close relatives in his office. What are they doing there?

Thirdly, the law mandates that all public officials and employees shall remain true to the people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged. They shall at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest.

These government functionaries shall not dispense or extend undue favors on account of their office to their relatives whether by consanguinity or affinity except with respect to appointments of such relatives to positions considered strictly confidential or as members of their personal staff whose terms are coterminous with them. I know of many underlings and subalterns of congressmen and senators who report only every fifteenth and thirtieth of the month to collect their fat salaries and benefits. Mahiya naman sila.

Fourth, government officials and personnel should serve all, even their political opponents. Public officials and employees shall provide service to everyone without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference. I know of congressmen who do not endorse sick people for confinement in government hospitals if they belong to the camp of his opponents. Even ayudas of DOLE and DSWD are subject to the lists prepared by the politicians. The really indigent who are not allies politically are denied their due.

Fifth, the law requires that public officials and employees shall extend prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by law or when required by the public interest, public officials and employees shall provide information of their policies and procedures in clear and understandable language, ensure openness of information, public consultations and hearings whenever appropriate, encourage suggestions, simplify and systematize policy, rules and procedures, and avoid red tape.

These officials and staff should develop an understanding and appreciation of the socioeconomic conditions prevailing in the country, especially in the depressed rural and urban areas. The reasons why people go to the Tulfo radio and TV programs is because many bureaucrats are incompetent, biased and corrupt. Those in government behave as if they own the resources for distribution to the people, and they make them line up under the heat of summer sun or heavy monsoon rains. Some indigents die of heart stroke or broken heart, anger and disillusionment.

There are many other norms, like nationalism and patriotism, commitment to democracy and simple living but these are more honored in breaches rather than compliance. The people continue to suffer. and yet they are the very reason why these officials had been elected or appointed, in the first place. The public officials and employees never learn. This nation will continue to regret it again and again. The cycle never seems to end.