CSC reminds gov't employees of its "no gift policy"

CSC reminds gov't employees of its "no gift policy"

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has reminded all government workers and officials about the "no gift policy," especially during the holidays.

Aileen Lizada, the CSC Commissioner, says that three laws prohibit public servants from accepting gifts, services, or favors from the general public or taxpayers or asking for them.

Presidential Decree No. 46 states that "under existing laws and the civil service rules, it is prohibited to receive, directly or indirectly, any gift, present, or any other form of benefit in the course of official duties; it is believed necessary to put more teeth to existing laws and regulations to wipe out all conceivable forms of graft and corruption in the public service, the members of which should not only be honest but above suspicion and reproach; and the stoppage of the practice of gift-giving to government men is a concrete step in the administration's program of reforms for the development of new moral values in the social structure of the country, one of the main objectives of the New Society;."

Under Republic Act (RA) 3019 and 6713, "directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the government and any other party, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law," is considered one of the corrupt practices of public officers."

Also stated in the same RA, "Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present or other pecuniary or material benefits, for himself or for another, from any person for whom the public officer, in any manner or capacity, has secured or obtained, or will secure or obtain, any Government permit or license, in consideration for the help given or to be given, "

Lizada encouraged the agency's leader to set an example for their staff.

Other than accepting presents, all forms of solicitation are forbidden.