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Report ethics in government service

1. 1. The Government of the Philippine Republic Republic of the Philippines EULOGIO


AMANG RODRIGUEZ INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Nagtahan,
Sampaloc, Manila GRADUATE PROGRAM MASTER IN PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION TOPIC: A. INTRODUCTION TO ETHICAL REASONING B.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ETHICS AND PUBLIC ORIENTATION ETHICS
IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE DR. LOURDES BANDOY Professor Presented by:
LOUIE A. MEDINACELI 1
2. 2. The Government of the Philippine Republic INTRODUCTION TO ETHICAL
REASONING Ethics really has to do with all these levels-acting ethically as
individuals, creating ethical organizations and governments, and making our society as a
whole ethical in the way it treats everyone. What, then, is ethics? Ethics is two things.
First, ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what
humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness,
or specific virtues. Ethics, for example, refers to those standards that impose the
reasonable obligations to refrain from rape, stealing, murder, assault, slander, and fraud.
Ethical standards also include those that enjoin virtues of honesty, compassion, and
loyalty. And, ethical standards include standards relating to rights, such as the right to
life, the right to freedom from injury, and the right to privacy. Such standards are
adequate standards of ethics because they are supported by consistent and well-founded
reasons. Secondly, ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical standards.
As mentioned above, feelings, laws, and social norms can deviate from what is ethical.
So it is necessary to constantly examine one's standards to ensure that they are reasonable
and well-founded. Ethics also means, then, the continuous effort of studying our own
moral beliefs and our moral conduct, and striving to ensure that we, and the institutions
we help to shape, live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly-based.
3. 3. The Government of the Philippine Republic The Seven-Step Path to
Better Decisions Stop and Think Clarify Goals Determine Facts Develop Options
Consider Consequences Choose Monitor and Modify Values are what we, as a
profession, judge to be right. They are more than words-they are the moral, ethical, and
professional attributes of character.
4. 4. The Government of the Philippine Republic 4 Organizational values---loyalty,
duty, selfless service, integrity 4 Individual values- commitment, competence, candor,
and courage The organization's core values - in this case, integrity, professionalism,
caring, teamwork, and stewardship- were deemed important enough to be included with
the statement of the organization's vision.. Making Ethical Decisions Everything we do,
or dont do, is a choice that can affect our lives and the lives of others. Ethical choices are
based on principled decisions, not on self-interest or easy-returns. Such principles are
based on universal values that have been held across time, culture, politics, religion and
ethnicity. Any decision can be evaluated in terms of these universal values or core ethical
principles trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
5. 5. The Government of the Philippine Republic The Process of Making
Ethical Decisions Ethical decision making refers to the process of evaluating and
choosing among alternatives in a manner consistent with ethical principles. In making
ethical decisions it is necessary to: Notice and eliminate unethical options - right vs
wrong. Ethical thinking requires a sensitivity to perceive the ethical implications of
decisions. Evaluate complex, ambiguous and incomplete facts. It is often difficult to
obtain all necessary information. Select the best ethical alternative. Resolve any ethical
dilemmas - right vs right. Not all ethical responses to a situation are equal. Have ethical
commitment, ethical consciousness, and ethical competency. Ethical thinking and
decision making takes practice. Making Decisions Making good ethical decisions
requires a trained sensitivity to ethical issues and a practiced method for exploring the
ethical aspects of a decision and weighing the considerations that should impact our
choice of a course of action. Having a method for ethical decision making is absolutely
essential. When practiced regularly, the method becomes so familiar that we work
through it automatically without consulting the specific steps.
6. 6. The Government of the Philippine Republic EMPOWERMENT The way ahead will
involve empowering public servants at all levels to find new, more cost effective ways to
deliver better services to PEOPLE and provide higher quality advice to the Government.
All public servants have a role to play in this effort. Our future our vocation as public
servants is in our hands. Ethics are not a set of rules or values waiting to be
discovered, that provides all the answers. In the complex world of public administration,
7. 7. The Government of the Philippine Republic ETHICAL VALUES norms
and values rarely provide clear-cut answers to difficult problems. Ethics should be
thought of as helping to frame relevant questions about what government ought to be
doing and how public administration ought to go about achieving those purposes.
"Norms are standards of behaviour within the organisation which serve as a guide to all
its members. For example, one of the earliest norms in public administration was that of
neutrality, meaning that public officials should be apolitical policy implementation
functionaries rather than policy-makers. Within the context of public administration, the
emphasis on norms is associated with the recommendation of certain values that are
viewed as desirable by their promoters. The common denominator of nearly all people
problems is to be found in the area of values. It is widely recognized that values often
differ widely from person to person and from culture to culture. The influence of values
on people's thinking, acting and behavior is underestimated.
8. 8. The Government of the Philippine Republic Influence of values (i) They
principally determine what he/she regards as right, good, worthy, beautiful and ethical.
(ii)They provide the standards and norms by which he/she guides his/her day-today
behavior. (iii) They chiefly determine his/her attitudes toward the causes and issues such
as political, economic, social and industrial with which he/she comes into contact daily.
(iv) They determine which ideas, principles and concepts he can accept, assimilate,
remember and transmit without distortion. In addition to the above, it is accepted that
individuals may temporarily or permanently discard their value systems in favor of
specific goal attainment.
9. 9. The Government of the Philippine Republic An Ethical Decision-
Making Process: Recognizing and Resolving Value Conflicts Step 1 Recognize the value
conflict and decide whether to resolve or refer it. If resolving it Analyze the Value
Conflict Step 2 Identify all relevant decision-makers and facilitate their input (it is
important to identify all decision makers so as not to bias the process). Depending on
circumstances and your leadership role, you may be the only relevant decision maker.
Consult the Operating Principles, Governance Matrix and Leadership and Decision
Making Styles to determine relevant decision makers. Step 3 Decision makers should
agree on the conflict to be resolved. Gather enough information to define the value
conflict clearly. Consider the following Facts: What, who, when, how, why? Factors:
Medical, social, economic/financial, political, legal, religious, etc. Step 4 List the
alternative choices that address the conflict, and for each Identify the relevant
stakeholders (stakeholders are persons, organizations, or institutions affected by the
choice). Predict effects on stakeholders (this step may require extensive
informationgathering; if confidentiality permits, discuss alternatives with affected
stakeholders).
10. 10. The Government of the Philippine Republic Evaluate the Alternatives Step
5 Make the right or best decision by evaluating the effects of each alternative on the
relevant stakeholders Effects will be positive, negative, or neutral in light of PHS Mission
and Core Values, the PHS Operating Principles, and the wider Catholic moral tradition
(e.g., official church teaching documents; Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic
Health Care Services). Also consider other standards for evaluating effects (e.g.,
professional, personal, social, legal, financial, or political standards; also self-interest and
feasibility). Loop back to previous steps, if necessary. Implementation and Follow-up
Step 6 Communicate decision as required.
11. 11. The Government of the Philippine Republic ETHICAL VALUES AND
ETHICAL POINT OF VIEW Values are what we, as a profession, judge to be right.
They are more than wordsthey are the moral, ethical, and professional attributes of
character Ethics deals with such questions at all levels. Its subject consists of the
fundamental issues of practical decision making, and its major concerns include the
nature of ultimate value and the standards by which human actions can be judged right or
wrong. Ethics is not a matter of factual knowledge in the way that the sciences and other
branches of inquiry are. Rather, it has to do with determining the nature of normative
theories and applying these sets of principles to practical moral problems. Ethic value
denotes something's degree of importance, with the aim of determining what action or
life is best to do or live (Deontology), or at least attempt to describe the value of different
actions (Axiology). It may be described as treating actions themselves as abstract objects,
putting value to them. It deals with right conduct and good life, in the sense that a highly,
or at least relatively highly, valuable action may be regarded as ethically "good"
(adjective sense), and an action of low, or at least relatively low, value may be regarded
as "bad". What makes an action valuable may in turn depend on the ethic values of the
objects it increases, decreases or alters. An object with "ethic value" may be termed an
"ethic or philosophic good" (noun sense).
12. 12. The Government of the Philippine Republic Ethical value denotes something's
degree importance, with the aim of determining what action or life is best to do, or at
least attempt to describe the value of different actions. It may be described as treating
actions themselves as abstract objects, putting value to them. It deals with right conduct
and good life, in the sense that a highly, or at least relatively highly, valuable action or
may be regarded as good, and an action of low, or at least relatively low, value may be
regarded as bad. ETHICAL POINT OF VIEW What people in government do, and how
they do it, is of exceptional importance. Ethical leadership in the public service is not
only for the formal cadre of leaders to apply. All of you, regardless of position, make
choices in your work that impact the public. You have the opportunity to demonstrate
ethical leadership on a regular basis. Ethical reasoning needs to be nurtured, developed,
and expanded over time. Your decision to attend a talk on ethics in the public service is
one step in an on-going commitment to ethical practice.
13. 13. The Government of the Philippine Republic RULES, PRINCIPLES
AND DECISIONS The Golden Rule The golden rule - sometimes called the global ethic
or the ethic of reciprocity - is present, in different forms, in many cultures and most
religions. The wording and emphasis varies but the central idea is this: Treat others as
you would like to be treated. Formal rules exist outside the decision maker and are
typically imposed upon that person. The model suggests three sets of formal rules: law,
regulation and policy. Law can be characterized as society's voice. Government
promulgates laws to define what is or is not acceptable as a means of building
commitment to a specific standard of conduct. Regulation resembles law and differs
primarily in its source. Regulations typically originate within an administrative body
versus legislative body, in the US federal system for example but still external to the
organization. Policy, still external to the decision maker, is a bit closer as it typically
refers to rules imposed by one's employer. Often, policy details the specific procedures
for implementing law and regulation. It describes the specific manner in which the
organization wants certain persons (most often employees - but can include others such
as vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors) to perform specific, prescribed tasks.
Collectively the formal rules are considerations the ethical decision maker ought include
in the ethical reasoning process, as failing that, the decision may violate the rules and fail
to meet the standard of compliance. In most cases legal, regulatory and policy
compliance are considered minimums for ethical decision making. The exception
(unethical rules) must be mentioned but it should be noted that this is a rare exception
reserved for issues such as legalized segregation or slavery that may be 'legal' at a given
point in time but lack moral authority.
14. 14. The Government of the Philippine Republic The 3 classic ethical principles of
justice, sufficiency and solidarity. Justice and sustainability The classic formal principle
of justice is that equals should be treated equally unless there is a sufficient reason to treat
anyone (or anything) unequally. It is clearly relevant in the field of ethics called
environmental justice Sufficiency and compassion The principle of sufficiency mandates
that all forms of life are entitled to enough goods to live on and flourish. The principle
also means no one should waste or hoard resources intended for the sufficiency of all.
Upholding the norm of sufficiency makes demands upon individuals - to share, to live
more simply, to think creatively - and on human communities: to ensure that everyone
has access to the goods that they need to live a life of dignity Solidarity and participation
The principle of solidarity invites us to consider how we relate to each other in
community. It assumes that we recognize that we are a part of at least one family our
biological family, our local community, or our national community - but then challenges
us to consider the full range of relationships with others. There are three qualities
individuals must possess to make ethical decisions. The first is the ability to recognize
ethical issues and to reason through the ethical consequences of decisions. The ability to
see second and third order effects, one of the elements of strategic thinking, is very
important. The second is the ability to look at alternative points of view, deciding what is
right in a particular set of circumstances. This is similar to the ability to reframe. And the
third is the ability to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty; making a decision on the best
information available. Ethical Decision Making Model God's morals = Our values = Our
decisions = Our outcomes
15. 15. The Government of the Philippine Republic THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
ETHICS AND PUBLIC ORIENTATION An ethical posture toward work in public
organizations requires not only knowing the right answers, but also being willing and
able to do what is right. As public manager, you will often face difficult ethical choices.
These choices may present themselves in several ways. Understanding the moral
implications of your actions and resolving the dilemmas they pose is one of the most
difficult problems you will face working in the public sector. Consequently, your ability
to understand the context in which public problems arise and to work them out in a
careful, reasoned and ethical fashion will be essential to your success and your own sense
of personal well-being. Leading thinkers in Public Administration long ago recognized
that the critical issues of government ultimately involved MORAL CHOICES. The
definitive policy decisions by public officials often have at their base conflicting ethical
issues such as whether to give precedence to the public interest or to the narrower
demands of profession, department, bureau or clientele.
16. 16. The Government of the Philippine Republic CONCEPT: Competing Ethical
Obligations For more than a millennium after the fall of Rome, during a period in which
government all but disappeared in the West, the relationship of the two powers, the
SACRED and the SECULAR for most purposes to be equate with church and secular
authority, was at the center of political philosophy and political controversy; but the
theoretical and logical supremacy of the HIGHER LAW was seldom questioned. With
the emergence of the modern state a new era opened. The authority of a State, even a
secular State, to determine right and wrong for its citizens was powerfully asserted by
political theorists. On the other hand, the long era of Higher Law thinking had left an
indelible imprint on thought and attitude. That there is something to which provides
guidance on right and wrong remains a strong feeling even among those who regard
themselves as completely secular. The discussion on higher law has indicated that the
initial duality of PUBLIC MORALITY and the PRIVATE MORALITY was simplistic.
17. 17. The Government of the Philippine Republic The Different ETHICAL
OBLIGATIONS 1st. OBLIGATION TO THE CONSTITUTION. This is a legal
obligation of course, but it is also a source of ethical obligations, which may be
symbolized and solemnized by an oath to uphold and defend the constitution. 2nd.
OBLIGATION TO LAW. Law made under the constitution are a source not just of legal
obligation but also of ethical obligations, as public service codes of ethics normally
underscore. 3rd. OBLIGATION TO NATION OR COUNTRY. By most interpretations,
a nation or country or people is separable from regime and plainly sense of identity with a
nation, country or people creates ethical obligations. 4th. OBLIGATION TO
DEMOCRACY. It came to be accepted as an ideology or ethics and as a set of practices
that somewhat overlie and somewhat intertwine with the constitution. The emotional and
intellectual acceptance of democracy creates obligations that are acknowledge and
usually felt by the public administrator.
18. 18. The Government of the Philippine Republic 5th. OBLIGATION TO
ORGANIZATIONAL BUREAUCRATIC NORMS. These may be logically divided
between those that are generic and those that are specific. The generic obligations are
deeply rooted, perhaps in human nature, certainly in history and culture. They are
associated with such terms as loyalty, duty and order, as well as productivity, economy
and efficiency. Specific obligations will depend upon circumstance the function, the
clientele, the technology. 6th. OBLIGATION TO THE PROFESSION AND
PROFESSIONALISM. A profession, a well-developed occupation, has an ethos that
concerns actions pertaining to fellow professionals, clients, patients, employers and
humanity in general. 7th. OBLIGATION TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Obligation to
family is bedrock in most if not all morality.
19. 19. The Government of the Philippine Republic CONFLICTS BETWEEN
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC MORALITY IN PUBLIC ADMINSTRATION The problem
of conflict between a public officials private moral commitments and the public interest
has troubled scholars since the earliest works of literature. In modern political theory, it is
often characterized as the problem of DIRTY HANDS. Examples of the problem of
dirty hands include that of the head of State who must lie, despite his private belief in
total honest disclosure, to protect highly sensitive information. In another example, a
social worker recognizes a personal moral obligation to provide funds to an impoverished
family but must deny them to keep the agencys budget in balance. Such conflicts have
often been interpreted as oppositions of two distinct and incompatible moral systems, one
PUBLIC and the other PRIVATE. Some ethicist regard the opposition as so
irreconcilable that the moral characters of the private individual and the public official
should be different to conform to the different systems to which each is subject. Under
such an interpretation, the head of State and the social worker must choose between
separate moral structures, one PRIVATE and one PUBLIC.
20. 20. The Government of the Philippine Republic Such a dichotomy between
PUBLIC and PRIVATE MORALITY contradicts the concept of a UNIFIED ETHICS,
which encompasses different conclusions and different styles but subsumes them under
the same moral frame work. The UNIFIED ETHIC is not a combining of a distinct
professional ethic with a private morality but the application of one moral structure
within the context of professional obligations, which sometimes may be overridden if the
ethic so demands. The alleged dichotomy between PUBLIC and PRIVATE MORALITY
also overlooks the importance of private moral convictions in justifying the legitimacy of
government action. For example, let us suppose that a society is convinced that its best
financial interests would be served by the military takeover of a small, powerless nation.
Would the public official then be, required by the conditions of his office to follow the
public wishes? If our theory is correct, the answer could be negative. We maintain that
the obligation to act in the public interest derives from a prior, more fundamental moral
based in the unified ethic. That ethic, because it is more fundamental, would bind the
public official more than would public opinion. There are cases in which the public
interest threatens to overrule the private morality of individuals. Power relationships may
resolve such issues by an appeal to force rather than an appeal to morality. Those in
positions of power may dispute that it was the sole determinant in the moral decision and
claim that ethics was the true victor. To that effect, they may argue that, since they
believe themselves to be morally correct, there is no conflict between might and right;
both, they would assert, are on the same side. However, what is needed in such cases is a
higher order of ethical analysis.

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