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6:20 pm on 20 November 2022, Sunday
by Jade Veronique V. Yap
As the holiday season draws near, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded all government workers about the "no gift policy."
The three laws: Presidential Decree No. 46, and Republic Acts 6713 and 3019, according to CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada, forbid any government employee from accepting or being asked for favors from the general public.
Under Presidential Decree no. 46, "it is prohibited to receive, directly or indirectly, any gift, present, or any other form of benefit in the course of official duties."
Meanwhile, Republic Acts 6713 and 3019 prohibit "directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the Government and any other part, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law."
Lizada also urged the agency's leader to set a good example for their employees.
Aside from accepting gifts, any form of solicitation is also prohibited, according to Lizada.
"Sa mga heads of agencies be good examples wag po kayong magsosolicit kayo, 'yung division chief niyo magso-solicit lahat ay magso-solicit. Sabihan niyo ho sa baba na kung may magpadala ng regalo ay no gift policy kayo so wag na ho hirap mga tao, hirap mag negosyo at hirap mga operators wag na po dagdagan ang cause of doing business nila," she said.
(To the heads of agencies, be good examples, don't solicit, your division chief will solicit, everyone will solicit. Tell the bottom that if someone sends a gift, you have a no gift policy, so don't make it difficult for people, it's difficult to do business and it's difficult for operators, don't add to their cause of doing business).
"Gusto n'yo bang mapreso sa Pasko? When in government service 'yung ating pagseserbisyo walang kapalit we are servicing the public," Lizada added.
(Do you want to go to jail for Christmas? When in government service, there is no substitute for our service, we are servicing the public).
Failure to follow the policy will result in dismissal from office.