RA 6713 Summary: Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees
CivPasser AI Editorial Team
Reviewed against official Philippine statutes and CSC issuances
Republic Act No. 6713 is the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, signed into law on February 20, 1989. It establishes 8 norms of conduct, SALN filing requirements, prohibited acts, and penalties for government officials and employees in the Philippines.
This law is one of the most heavily tested topics on the Philippine Civil Service Exam. Understanding its key provisions — the 8 Norms of Conduct, SALN requirements, prohibited acts, and penalties — can mean the difference between passing and failing the General Information section.
Who Does RA 6713 Apply To?
RA 6713 applies to all officials and employees in the government, whether they are:
- Elected or appointed officials
- Permanent, temporary, or casual employees
- Career or non-career service members
- Officials in national government, local government units (LGUs), and government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs)
- Members of the military and police forces
In short, if you receive compensation from the government, RA 6713 applies to you.
The 8 Norms of Conduct (Section 4)
Section 4 of RA 6713 enumerates the eight norms of conduct that every public official and employee must observe. These are the most frequently tested provisions on the CSE:
(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 must be employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly, and economically, particularly to avoid wastage.
(b) 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.
(c) Justness and Sincerity
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 underprivileged. They shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety, and public interest.
(d) Political Neutrality
Public officials and employees shall provide service to everyone without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.
(e) Responsiveness to the Public
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, they shall provide information on their policies and procedures in clear and understandable language, ensure openness of information, public consultations, and hearings whenever appropriate.
(f) Nationalism and Patriotism
Public officials and employees shall at all times be loyal to the Republic and the Filipino people, promote the use of locally produced goods, resources, and technology, and encourage appreciation and pride of country and people. They shall endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion.
(g) Commitment to Democracy
Public officials and employees shall commit themselves to the democratic way of life and values, maintain the principle of public accountability, and manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the military. They shall at all times uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty to persons or party.
(h) Simple Living
Public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.
CSE Tip: The 8 norms appear in the law in this order: (a) Commitment to Public Interest, (b) Professionalism, (c) Justness and Sincerity, (d) Political Neutrality, (e) Responsiveness to the Public, (f) Nationalism and Patriotism, (g) Commitment to Democracy, (h) Simple Living. Their first letters spell C-P-J-P-R-N-C-S. Create a personal sentence using these letters to help you remember them in sequence.
SALN Requirements (Section 8)
Section 8 of RA 6713 requires public officials and employees to file a Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and a Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial Connections.
Who Must File
- All public officials and employees, as defined in Section 2 of the Act
- This includes elected and appointed officials at all levels of government
When to File
- Upon assumption of office — within 30 days from assumption
- Annually — on or before April 30 of every year
- Upon leaving government service — within 30 days after separation
What to Disclose
- Real property (land, buildings)
- Personal property (vehicles, jewelry, investments)
- Liabilities (loans, debts)
- Net worth (assets minus liabilities)
- Business interests and financial connections
- Assets and liabilities of their spouse and unmarried children under 18
Prohibited Acts and Transactions (Section 7)
Section 7 of RA 6713 lists the prohibited acts and transactions for public officials and employees:
- Financial and material interest — Public officials shall not directly or indirectly have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of their office.
- Outside employment and other activities — Public officials shall not own, control, manage, or accept employment as officer, employee, consultant, counsel, broker, agent, trustee, or nominee in any private enterprise regulated, supervised, or licensed by their office, unless expressly allowed by law.
- Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information — Public officials shall not disclose or misuse confidential or classified information officially known to them by reason of their office and not yet made available to the public.
- Solicitation or acceptance of gifts — Public officials shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.
Post-Employment Restrictions
Section 7(b)(2) provides that public officials who resign, retire, or separate from government service shall not, within one (1) year after separation, practice their profession in connection with any matter before the office they used to be with.
Section 7(d) states that no public official shall, within one (1) year after retirement or separation, transact business directly or indirectly with his/her former office.
Penalties (Section 11)
Section 11 of RA 6713 provides the penalties for violations:
Criminal Penalties for Violations of Sections 7, 8, and 9
Any public official or employee who violates Sections 7, 8, or 9 of RA 6713 shall be punished with:
- Imprisonment not exceeding five (5) years
- Fine not exceeding Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000)
- Disqualification from holding public office
Administrative Penalties for Other Violations (Section 11a)
Any public official or employee who violates any provision of RA 6713 shall be punished with:
- Fine not exceeding the equivalent of six (6) months' salary
- Suspension not exceeding one (1) year
- Removal from office depending on the gravity of the offense
CSE Tip:RA 6713 has two penalty tiers. General violations carry a fine up to 6 months' salary, suspension, or removal. Violations of Sections 7, 8, or 9 (prohibited acts, SALN, divestment) carry criminal penalties: imprisonment up to 5 years, or a fine up to ₱5,000, or both, plus disqualification from public office.
Key Sections at a Glance
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Section 2 | Declaration of Policy |
| Section 3 | Definition of Terms |
| Section 4 | Norms of Conduct (the 8 norms) |
| Section 5 | Duties of Public Officials and Employees |
| Section 6 | System of Incentives and Rewards |
| Section 7 | Prohibited Acts and Transactions |
| Section 8 | Statements and Disclosure (SALN) |
| Section 9 | Divestment |
| Section 10 | Review and Compliance Procedure |
| Section 11 | Penalties |
Duties of Public Officials and Employees (Section 5)
Beyond the norms of conduct, Section 5 specifies that every public official and employee shall:
- Act promptly on letters and requests — must reply within 15 working days from receipt, except as otherwise provided by law or rules
- Submit annual performance reports
- Process documents and papers expeditiously — act on documents within a reasonable time from preparation and review
- Act immediately on the public's personal transactions
- Make documents accessible to the public within reasonable working hours
Disclaimer: This summary is provided for educational and review purposes. For the complete and official text of Republic Act No. 6713, refer to the Official Gazette or the Civil Service Commission website.
📚 Also study these related laws for the CSE:
- RA 3019 — Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act — penalties for graft, corrupt acts, and prohibited transactions
- EO 292 — Administrative Code of 1987 — government structure, Civil Service Commission, and merit system
- 1987 Philippine Constitution Reviewer — Bill of Rights, government branches, and accountability of public officers
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