1.
Ethics, Accountability and Corruption :
A Report
Public Administration 208
Philippine Administrative System
1st Sem AY 2015-2016
Estrella A. Cruz
M L I S 2 0 1 4 - 8 9 9 6 4

2.
Ethos is a Greek word that forms the root ethikos (ἠθικός), meaning
"moral, showing moral character".
Used as a noun in the neuter plural form ta ethika (τὰ ἠθικά), used
for the study of morals, it is the origin of the modern English
word ethics.
- branch of philosophy that involves
systematizing, defending, and
recommending concepts of right and
wrong conduct.
- are the basic concepts and fundamental principles of decent
human conduct. It includes the study of universal values such as
the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural
rights, obedience to the law of land, concern for health and safety
and, increasingly, also for the natural environment.
www.businessdictionary.com/definition/ethics.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics_in_public_administration
- system of accepted belief, mores
and values which influence human
behavior; principles that govern a
person’s or a group’s behavior

3.
Ethical Frameworks
Bureaucratic Ethos
 associated with historical mode of modern public
administration
 has profound influence over the entire field of public
administration (Waldo, 1980)
 championed by several sources
Weber – rational principles were clearly explained (Weber,
1946); Wilson – in the dichotomy of politics and administration,
where rationalization is created for the adoption of the ethos as
behavioral norms in political context (Wilson, 1887); F.W. Taylor in
the theory of scientific management raises the use of efficiency to
the level of moral imperative (Taylor, 1967); the scholarly works of
Frank Goodnow and Wilson F. Willoughby, where the salience of
bureaucratic ethos is found to be consistent with the study of
comparative administration issue (Goodnow, 1903; Willoughby,
1937)

4.
 Social Origins
Ethical Frameworks
Bureaucratic Ethos
Numerous and cross-cultural
social Christianity, late 19th century, its close association with
the early municipal reform movement and progressive political
leaders, played an important role in its development; sought to
justify social change in terms of Christian doctrine; imbued with a
“social gospel” that offered reform of social institution as the key
to personal moral salvation; its rhetoric was to have an influence
on public administration’s definition of “good life”.
progressive political movement -- embraced bureaucratic
principles like efficiency, heirarchy/centtralization, and expertise
in its quest for an improved public planning and service delivery.
the scientific management movement -- launched by the work of
Frederick Winslow Taylor; sought to place economic activity on
a scientific basis by eliminating tradition and convention in favor
of measurement and codified knowledge.

5.
Ethical Frameworks
Bureaucratic Ethos
 social science movement – both a pre- and post-World War I
phenomenon; tied to the failures and successes of progressives.
was sought to separate progressivism from earlier reform and
social gospel movements; leading intellectuals such as Charles
Merriam (political science) and Wesley Mitchell (economics) sought
to imbue their respective disciplines with objective instruments of
social observation and analytical techniques that aims to provide a
mechanism for organizing research and coordinating it among allied
fields (Karl, 1974).
 Herbert Simon’s seminal work entitled “Administrative Behavior”
clearly explains the process of vertical value integration that should
take place in the organizational context against a backdrop of
instrumental rationality. “Through the heirarchical structure of ends,
behavior attains integration and consistency, for each member of a
set of behavioral alternatives is then weighed in terms of
comprehensive scale of (organizational) values -- the ultimate end”
(1947, p. 63)

6.
Ethical Frameworks
Democratic Ethos
 less precise; eclectic and broad
 evolving framework
 content values include regime values; citizenship; public interest
and social equity. Framework is more of a political theory
regime values - values manifested in the Constitution of the United
States such as personal liberty, property; and equality
citizenship and public interest played an important role in the
general democratic framework; considered coterminous in the
early practice of public administration (Chester Newland, 1984);
remains the focus of much discussions ranging from theories of
governance to concrete proposals for the coproduction of public
service (Frederickson, 1974)
social equity - … “In its broadest and most general signification
… (equity) denotes the spirit and the habit of fairness, justness,
and right dealing which regulates the intercourse of men with
men --- the rule of doing to all others as we desire them to do to
us; or, as expressed by Justanian, to live honestly, to harm
nobody, to render every man his due (sic).”… David K. Hart

7.
Salient Aspects of Ethics in Public Administration
 Principle of Legality and Rationality
 Principle of Responsibility and Accountability
 Principle of Work Commitment
 Principle of Excellence
 Principle of Fusion
 Principle of Responsiveness and Resilience
 Principle of Utilitarianism
 Principle of Compassion
 Principle of National Interest
 Principle of Justice
 Principle of Transparency
 Principle of Integrity
 Overall Objective – ensure “Good Governance” with a prime concern for
ethical principles, practices, orientations and behavior.
http://iasbaba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IGNOU-Ethical-Concerns-
in-Public-Administration-.pdf

8.
Code of Ethics
provides recommendations or guidelines for professional conduct for
public
administrators
relatively recent
1924 - the 1st standard was adopted by the International City
Managers’
Association; amended after five (5) years since its inception
(ICMA, 1987)
1970 - International Personnel Management Association
1984 - American Society for Public Administration after ten (10) years
of
deliberations approved its Code of Ethics
1958 - the first federal-level code was adopted by congressional
concurrent
resolution
1961 - executive order 10939, the “Guide on Ethical Standards to
Government Officials, was issued by Pres. Kennedy
1978 - Ethics in Government Act of 1978

9.
- stemmed from the Anglo Norman
word accomptare (to account); used
in English in the 13th Century in
Norman England; has its roots in
record-keeping activities related to
governance and money-lending
systems that first developed in ancient
Egypt, Israel, Babylon and Greece,
and later on in Rome.
defined as the quality or state of being accountable; especially: an
obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions.
Hayne, Christie and Steven Salterio. Accounting and Public Accountability: A Macro
and Micro Examination in Financial Accounting and Auditing, May 2012
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accountability
The obligation of an individual or organization to account for
its activities, accept responsibility for them, and to disclose the results in
a transparent manner. It also includes the responsibility for money or
other entrusted property.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/accountability.html

10.
- a condition in which individuals
who exercise power are
constrained by external means
and internal norms; referring to
the institution of checks and
balances in an organization thru
which an administrator accounts
for his stewardship of resources
or authority.
Source: Alfiler, Concepcion. Philippine
Administrative System. UP Diliman Quezon
City
- is the obligation to (i) demonstrate that work has been
conducted in accordance with agreed rules and
standards and (ii) report fairly and accurately on
performance results vis-à-vis mandated roles and/or
plans. (source: UNDP Accountability Framework (PDF))

11.
Types of Accountability
 Individual Accountability
- public employees are
answerable for the responsible,
efficient and effective
performance of their tasks. Accountability of Administrators
- stewardship of administrative authority, resources and
information placed at their disposal as leaders of public
organization.
 Political Accountability
- institutions must answer for their organizational mandate
and functions, particularly as they form part of the
incumbent government strategy for national development.
 Accountability of National Leaders
- elected national leadership must answer for the
performance in pursuing their programs and their use of
national resources; given the authority, power and
resources vested in them by their constituency.

12.
Standard Questions
1. Who is considered accountable?
2. To whom is he accountable?
3. To what standards or values is he
accountable? and
4. By what means is he made
accountable?
Legal Framework
 1987 Constitution; Article XI
- Accountability of Public Officers
comprises 18 sections which mandates that every
public official and employee should exhibit and live
certain values while in government service.
State has been mandated to “maintain honesty and
integrity in the public service, and take positive and
effective measures against graft and corruption.

13.
Legal Framework
 Republic Act 6713
- CODE OF CONDUCT AND
ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC
OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES passed
into law on 29 March 1989
- spells out in detail the do’s and don’ts for government officials
- Has eight norms of conduct to be observed by all government
officials and employees
Commitment to public interest
Professionalism
Justness and sincerity
Political neutrality
Responsiveness to the public
Nationalism and patriotism
Commitment to democracy
Simple living
- Introduced some reforms in the administrative systems
 gave the head of agencies the responsibility of ensuring there
is a

14.
Legal Framework
 Republic Act 6713
- CODE OF CONDUCT AND
ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC
OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES
 continuing studies on work systems and procedures ;
 designation of a resident Ombudsman in every department,
office
and agency
 Republic Act 3019
- ANTI-GRAFT AND CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT
 approved August 17, 1960
 passed to address and curb the commission of malfeasance
in
the government.
http://www.gov.ph/official-gazette/

15.
- dishonest act/s committed by
any person appointed or
authorized to discharge any
duty relating to the assigned
office
Draft International Anti-corruption Convention of the United Nations
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/search.html?q=corruption
Corrupt behaviour is characterised as any “offer, promise or giving
of any advantage to another person as undue consideration for
performing or refraining from the performance of that person’s duty,
or the soliciting or accepting of any advantage as undue
consideration for performing or refraining from the performance of
one’s duty.”
9th UN Congress held in Cairo in 1995
- bribery or any other act relating to persons vested with
responsibility, aimed at influencing the performance of their
official duties and at obtaining any improper advantage for
themselves or for others.”

16.
http://www.transparency.org/what-is-corruption#define
““the abuse of entrusted power
for private gain”. Corruption can
be classified as grand, petty and
political, depending on the
amounts of money lost and the
sector where it occurs.
Graft is a form of corruption but done individually. It is
the questionable acquisition of wealth or illegal
appropriation of public resources by a person in
office.Characteristics of Corruption
Gap
Two or more parties
Consenting adults
Benefit furtherance
Existence of power
Misuse
http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/rhdr_full_report_tackling_corruption_
transforming_lives.pdf

17.
Types of Common Corrupt Practices in the Philippines
Tax Evasion
Ghost Projects and Payroll
Evasion of Public Bidding in Awarding of Contracts
Passing of Contracts
Nepotism and Favoritism
Extortion
Protection Money
Bribery
Effects of Corruption
Weak National Institution/s
Inequitable Social Services
Injustice
http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/rhdr_full_report_tackling_corruption_t
ransforming_lives.pdf

18.
Legal Frameworks That Combats Graft and Corruption
 The 1987 Philippine Constitution
 Executive Order 292 of the Administrative Code of 1987
 Republic Act/s
6713
7080
8249
3019
6770
7055
 Presidential Decree/s
No. 46
No. 677
No. 749

19.
Constitutional Anti-Corruption Bodies

20.
Cost of Corruption
Political
- is a major obstacle to democracy and the
rule of law
Economic
- depletes national wealth
Social
- undermines people’s trust in the political system; in its institutions;
and its leadership.
Environmental
- environmental degradation is another consequence of corrupt systems;
lack of, or non-enforcement of, environmental regulations and legislation
means that precious natural resources are carelessly exploited, and
entire ecological systems are ravaged.

21.
IMPEDIMENTS TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS
Filipino culture
Strong family ties
Gift-giving
Not Well Funded Deputized Agencies
Transparency
Monitoring System
Rich Harwood, President
& Founder of The
Harwood Institute for
Public Innovation, talks
about what it really means
to be accountable as a
public leader.
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=D-ClR8rvUsA

22.
The point I want to make clear is this: Every official of the
government, even the most modest, has a job to perform and is as much in
duty bound to perform that job well as those occupying higher positions. In
our effort to give the people the best government that there is, we have to
have everybody do his job, including the clerk, the policeman—everybody
in the service. Every one of them should do his best because a
government cannot be a government of higher officials only.
The Government of the Philippines is the government of all the
officials of the Government; it is the Government of all the
Filipinos. Therefore, when it can be said that we have the best government
on earth, the municipal police, the higher officials - everybody - should
feel honored and proud because that would mean that all of them have
been working hard in order to give this country such a Government.
An Excerpt to the SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY
MANUEL L. QUEZON PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES ON PUBLIC
SERVICE AND LOYALTY TO THE GOVERNMENT
[Delivered at Ilagan, Isabela, February 28, 1936]
Source: Presidential Museum and Library, Official Gazette