Case Study #5 Bring Home Office Goodies

Using government properties in any form for personal is not proper.

Whether its just a simple
office supply it is still wrong. A government property should be utilized
properly. Thegovernment purchased
those supplies not for the employees used but official business only. In
the situation given, I would take Cynthias side. It is simply because what
Emy did was a form
of
stealing its because those supplies do not belong to her. Bringing home
office supp
lies of theoffice to be used for personal interest is obviously unethical. This
act may provide wrongperceptions of all the employees in the government
officials or employees. People who willknow of an employee doing such
thing will make wrong conclusions or generalizations ongovernment
employees. As mentioned in R.A6713 that public officials and employees
shallutmost devotion and dedication to the duty. And lastly, as
a government employee, one has theresponsibility to take care of
every government property and utilize them properly. And thatthose things
should be used for public interest and not for personal interest.
Case Study #6 More Than Just Casinos
If something is legal it doesnt mean that it is automatically moral. There
are things that are

legal but are immoral. That is because there is a big difference between
legal and moral. Whenwe talk of morality, it is based on an internal and
possibly external sense of what is right orgood. Legality simply refers to
acts that conform to the law. And aside from that morality is
based on an individuals beliefs and not the law. On the given example,
PAGCOR, like the Lotto
and sweepstakes symbolize gambling. It is legal because it is allowed by the
government. Andthe revenues it remitted to the government help a lot
in building schools as well as in otherprojects of the government. And aside
from that, it has helped lot of sick people in theirmedication and
hospitalization. It also extends help to victims of calamities. Those are
someof the reasons that make it legal and that the government allowed it to
operate. But we cannotdeny the fact that it symbolizes gambling. And
gambling has destroyed many lives and hasbroken many families. It is
a game of chance that people bet even the last money in their walletbecause
they believe that if they will win, they will get their money in many folds.
Indeed it isasocial ill. Yes, lotto and sweepstakes is legal, but since the
symbolize gambling, it is immoral.This is a best example that tells us that if
some
thing is legal, it does not automatically mean its
moral.

Case Study #7 I Can Afford Anyway

The law states that public officials and employees and their families shall
lead modest livesappropriate to their positions and income. They shall not
indulge in an extravagant displayof wealth in any form. Guided by this rule,
I
dont agree with the employees opinion regarding
the dress code of CSC. Since she is a government employee, it is
her obligation to abide with thelaw. Though it is true that she can afford to
buy expensive jewelries but still it is not proper towear them in reporting to
work. This might create wrong perceptions on the people thatsurround her.
People around are very observant of those who are working in
governmentoffices. They are aware of how much the government
employees are receiving every month.And sometimes they do make
judgments on the employees based on what they see. Thismightlead to
public service degradation.So to maintain a good image as a public servant
or as agovernment employee, it is proper to follow the dress code as
mandated by the CSC. The jewelries and other expensive materials can be
used in some other occasions anyway.
Case Study #8 Gifts Galore
Giving of gifts is a sign of gratitude. And refusing a gift offered or given is
an insult to the giver.There are reasons why we receive and we give gifts.
Giving gifts is a kind act and as a result itgives happiness to the receiver
regardless of the amount of the gift given. This is an act that isappreciated
so much by anybody. Since gift giving is a kind act, there is nothing wrong
with this,but if the gift is given in exchange for a favor that is asked or for a

task that was accomplishedespecially if it is given to a government

employee is no longer good. It is unethical. Josie is right.Though the gift
given to Adela were just nominal but if she has to combine all the gifts
shereceived
its a large amount
already. Through this act, the people will think that the gifts weregiven as
payment for what she did for them. And next time, if these people will ask
favorfrom her again, she cannot refuse because of the gifts that were given
to her. And the bestreason why accepting gifts is improper
its because the law states that public officials and
employees shall not solicit or accept directly or indirectly any gifts, gratuity,
favor,entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value. Public employees
should do their dutiesand that is to serve the people for free because they
are well-paid by the government for that.

Case Study #9
For
Official Use
Also
If I happen to chance upon a government service vehicle parked in a place
where I least expecta government official may transact business with, the
first thing that I will do is to think thatmaybe the government official using
the government vehicle just drop by from an officialbusiness transaction
near that place. But if I happen to see it twice or more, then I will try
toknow the reasons why the vehicle is parked there. Since I am aware that
government vehicleshould be used for official business transactions only
and not for personal business of course Ihave to inform the proper
authorities of it so that this wrong act of government officials will
bestopped. Aside from that, this may serve as warning also to the other
government officials whoare using the government vehicles for personal
interest. Government vehicles are governmentproperty which is issued to
government officials to make and perform their task and to servethe people
in a fast manner and not to be used in their personal matters. These should
be usedfor public interest and not for personal interest.
Case Study #10 He Does, I Do*
A government official or employee should always possess the spirit of
professionalism inanyway. One way of showing it is by reporting to work on
time. A government employee shouldbe very conscious of the time; they
should utilize the time well. It is not good to see employeesreporting to
office for work late, and then once he arrives in the office the people who

need hisservice are already waiting for him. It is very embarrassing and
very disgusting. In the situationgiven, Roy is right when he said that his
boss should not be exempted from the policyimplanted for the late comers
since like him his boss always come to work late also. But he iswrong when
he made the distance of his house from his office. As an employee, it
is hisresponsibility to report to office on time. He has to use his initiative
on how he can report ontime despite the location o
f his residence. It is not his boss fault if his house is far from the
office. On the other hand, his boss is not right when he said that Roy
should wait until hebecomes a boss. A boos should act as a model to his
subordinates. To avoid complaints likeR
oys complaints, he also should come to office on
time; this is because the law excuses no one.The law was made for
everyone. In government offices, there is no law that says that a boss
isexempted from going to office late.

Case Study 3 What else can I do?

I agree with Glendas convictions to report things to Senator Enriquez and
the Media.
Whistle blowing is an act in which a certain person reports an anomaly to
the

authorities.

It

has been practiced by people over the years. Most of them are government e
mployees who reportcorruption in their respective offices. Reason for this
whistleblowing is to ask protection andattention from the people and the
media.This whistleblowing occurs in both private and government
organizations. Whistleblowersalways face the consequences of their actions
such as different lawsuits and termination fromtheir respective works.Civil
servants took an oath that he should report every anomaly in his office. It is
part of hisethical convictions to expose corrupt officials in his office. Nonreport of these anomalies can beconsidered as unethical and most of the
time, the civil servants themselves were tagged in thescandal.There are
several processes in the government that are detrimental to the public since
it wastransacted under the table. Most officials serve as accomplices to
these crimes while their
subordinates, the civil servants, as instruments. For the sake of
pakikisama or fear of
retaliation from their bosses, some civil servants are forced to obey
whatever their chief ordersthem.
In the military, theres a principle of obey first before you complain.
However, after the Vietnam

War, it was revised on the military philosophy that commands must be

reviewed first beforeimplementing into action. The same goes on with
different organizations. Unfortunately, most
complaints by the little guys are disregarded by the society and no actions
will be taken while
the whistleblowers gain nothing from reporting such wrongful acts. This
made them doubt andthink twice before taking actions on the matter.
However, it is their duty to do such.One resort made by whistleblowers is to
go to the media. With media attention, it will also gainattention to the
populace which pressures the authorities concerned to take an action.
While it istrue that most media fabricate some parts of the news due to
their individual biases and that their main purpose is to earn profit,
reporting things to media yield a lot of benefit for thewhistleblowers. The
knowledge of the populace itself about the situation will secure the
person.Reporting matters to an elected official is not a very wise decision
for any whistleblower becausethe politician itself might be a conspirator on
the anomaly which you are about to expose.Another thing is that these
politicians will use the scandal to elevate their status and popularityamong
the people to gain votes for the elections. On the other hand, if that elected
politician is anadvocate or is an authority on that matter, for example in
this case, the environment, it is right toreport the anomalies to them
because they were the ones who can really take an action

Commitment to Public Interest

How can you show your commitment to public interest?As a student and a future
public servant, I will prioritize the public interests over my owninterests. In the
process of serving the Philippine government, I am also serving for the interestof
the Filipino people. I understand the oath that every public servants pledge with
and thatincludes commitment to the public interest. In my situation as a student of
a state owneduniversity, I can show my commitment to the public interest by
simply turning off the air-condition units, the lights, fans, and any other appliances
that consume electricity which are paid by the Filipino people.By the time I
entered public service, I can show my commitment to the public interest by
simplyworking overtime or even during the holidays.I believe that little things
have a large effect on many people. I will serve the Filipino peoplethrough my
very own little ways which in no time can be very huge.A public servant must
prioritize the interest of the public. I acknowledge that it is only adiscretionary
power of the government to do social welfare for the people. But there are
severalthings which can be done for the people which will indirectly affect them.
By simply cutting thecosts of the government offices that were paid by the taxes of
the people, it could help them as itwill improve their economic status or lessen
their burden of the taxes.Working for the government is a real sacrifice for anyone
because despite of the lower compensation than those offered by private firms,
public servants decide to serve the governmentnot only for their own interests but
for the public.Serving for the sake of Public interest, for the Filipinos does not
necessarily mean that we shouldrun for mayor or congressman. By simple ways,
the public interest can be protected

Simple Living
I feel fortunate that I am one of the people who belong to the 30% of people above
poverty line. I
recognize that my life is not lavish. Its just enough for all that I needed. I was
provided with 3
meals a day, a proper education, clothes, opportunities, and few luxuries such as
access totechnology. I do not need any more in my life. In fact, I am content with
my life right now
despite the fact that Im having financial problems most of the times.
I realize that life is unfair. Our capitalistic economic system derails equality
between all people
from all walks of life. Sadly, Im part of those
who were on advantageous position. Few
years back, I realized how lavish American lives were. Their refrigerators were alw
ays filled withfood. They were overpaid.
Its unfair because they dont deserve it. They were paid in as equal
as production as their counterparts in other countries. The worlds unfair and Im
bleeding for all
the people. This inequality between citizens of different states could be acceptable.
However,those inequalities could be acceptable. What I think is really unfair is
how public servants live avery lavish life. A luxurious life which their paychecks
cannot even afford. Well, the
Philippines government has a very bad reputation among its
citizens of corruption and therewere only few times that corrupt officials were
sanctioned. And most of these times, thesesanctions are politically inspired.I will
live a very simple life in the future. I know that the government needs to clear its
badreputation towards the people. I want to be that a role model to my fellow
governmentemployees and the people themselves. This will create a very
harmonious relationship betweenthe nation and the state. All I want in my life
which I will dedicate in serving the people is tohave a very simple home, provide

good education for my children, and things that I can affordwith my salary. I will
never follow the path of the public servants who earn from coverttransactions from
the government

Responsiveness to the Public

How can you show Responsiveness? What realization did you gain from this
session?I know for the fact that the government was built through the power of the
people. By the people,
and for the people. It was the reason why our current president says Kayo ang
Boss Ko. What
he meant was that he is just in that position because of the people. Because the
people electedhim.Coming from the most powerful man on our country that the
people are superior to him, it can beconcluded that a government employee is just a
servant of the people. Now, it makes sense whythese people are called public
servants. As servants of the people, it is their duty andresponsibility to
accommodate everyone.People from all walks of life shall be treated equally.
However, the concept of this equality

varies from another persons interpretation to another.

For me, my concept of equality is thatthose who are underprivileged (the poor)
shall be given more consideration. It is a more liberal
view of equality. For example, the poor people shall have access to the
governments resources
easily. The projects of the government like the highways and other economic
infrastructures
shall be made available more for the poor rather than for the rich people. It
should be used for their social mobility. In this way, the gap between the rich and
the poor will be lessened.I wil
l not consider what I learned from this session as a realization because Ive been
thinking
about that all the time. I started questioning everything about this hierarchy. I even
despised therich because I witnessed hardships of my countrymen.As a Social
Science student, I was exposed to many people. My countrymen who
werestruggling just for their everyday survival. I blame the capitalistic system
because it exploits
the poor. They were alienated from themselves as most people cannot even enjoy
what they
re producing. From their own efforts.
Ironically, there were instances when a farmer doesnt have
any rice to cook. This situation really happens in our country.Unfortunately, our
government is ruled by the elite who think only of the growth and preservation
of their wealth. How could a bourgeoisie understand how a typical Juan Dela
Cruzlives
? How can he formulate solutions if he doesnt know the problem?
In the meantime, the best thing that a public servant can do to his/her country men
is to make theservices easier for them. Outreaching in their communities is the best
method.

Justness and Sincerity

Can you recall an experience when your honesty was tested? Or when you became
a victim of dishonesty?In my everyday life, I handle trusts due to the nature of my
part time job which requires honesty.My clients entrust me with their works and
pay me appropriately. In the same time, I should produce to them a quality job and
on time. I always have the option to not finish the articles but
my principle doesnt allow me to. Plus, it will tarnish my integ
rity to them and might result inthem firing me. This might be considered
as honesty but given the consequences of my actions, itcould not be considered as
just and sincere.In school, I also face challenges in my honesty. There were several
times that I
didnt study for a
certain exam and I had no choice but to cheat or else I would fail. My seatmates
were willing togive out some of their answers to me but I refused to accept it and
thank them instead saying thatI appreciated their concern but I needed to do it by
myself. For me, it was honesty. Unfortunatelymy honesty was not converted into
points in those exams and I failed. Anyway, I was happy thatI preserved
justice.Basically, all of us were victims of dishonesty. Thousands or even millions
of pesos were stolenfrom the national funds of corrupt government officials and
employees. I will assure that thatreputation will not haunt my batch of civil
servants.In a workplace, by simply stating the correct amount or giving the money
where it is due is asimple form justness and sincerity to public service. Most
importantly, it is honesty.Honesty cannot be tested exclusively on monetary
processes. Taking home supplies on our government offices is a simple form of
dishonesty. There was another form of honesty whenemployees will go to the
office on time.Honesty is a very good virtue that every person should follow.
Though it may not be applicableon all times, this principle is vital on the formation
of our integrity as civil servants.