CSC on Duterte remark on cops receiving gifts: There are laws that should be followed

Civil Service Commission (CSC) Commissioner Aileen Lizada on Sunday said there are laws that should be followed, after President Rodrigo Duterte said it is okay for cops to receive gifts.

“Meron ho tayong mekanismo na kailangan sundin in the form ng batas. Ito po ay ang Republic Act 6713 which is the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, as well as Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” Lizada told GMA News Online.

RA 6713 prohibits public officials from soliciting or accepting gifts directly or indirectly.

However, Lizada said, Congress made some exemptions such as in the case of a gift received as a souvenir or as a mark of courtesy, scholarship, fellowship grants or medical treatments from foreign governments.

Lizada also cited Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2016-002 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that prohibits cops from receiving gifts.

“Ito po ay Revised Rules of Procedure before the Administrative Disciplinary Authorities and and Internal Affairs of the Philippine National Police (PNP),” Lizada said.

Under Section 1 Item 3 of the MC, it is considered as grave misconduct when cops receive a fee, gift, or other valuable things in the course of official duties or in connection therewith when such fee, gift or thing is given with the hope or expectation of receiving a favor or better treatment, Lizada said.

Violators may face reprimand, withholding of privileges, restriction to specified limits, restrictive custody, forfeiture of salary, suspension, one rank demotion, or dismissal.

However, Lizada clarified that the DILG should be the one who will decide how it will respond to the pronouncement of Duterte since the PNP is under its jurisdiction.

“It is best that the clarification should emanate from where PNP is under, that is the DILG, as to how they treat the pronouncement made,” she said.

But if the matter will be brought to the CSC, Lizada said they will treat it according to their mandate.

“Sa side ng CSC, kapag dumating ang mga issue na ito sa amin, we will treat it according ho sa aming mandato,” she said.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday, Lizada said those who would like to report irregularities involving police receiving gifts can file a complaint before the CSC, the Ombudsman or the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

She also reminded not only the police but also other government workers when seeking public office, they also should seek public trust.

“Binigyan ho tayo ng respeto at dignity of work and it is up to us kung papaano ho natin tutugunan. How do we accept the challenge?” Lizada said

“Kaya po tayo may mga mekanismo, kaya po tayo may mga batas para ho maayos natin yung kind of service that we give to the public,” Lizada added.

On Friday, Duterte said police officers may receive gifts from generous and thankful benefactors.

“Kung bigyan kayo tanggapin n’yo. It is not bribery... What I mean is if there is generosity in them. Sabi ng anti-graft you cannot accept gifts. Kalokohan,” Duterte said in his speech before PNP officials and members.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, however, said such actions may start off "insatiable greed" among cops.

For former PNP chief and incumbent Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, however, receiving gifts is no big deal as long as it is given out of goodwill.

Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Greco Belgica said gifts given in gratitude are okay, but not if these are to be given in exchange for a favor.

"When people give gifts to say thank you, then that is an expression of gratitude from the giver. A Christian attitude taught to us by Christ himself. But when the government official asks for gifts for a favor or consideration connected to his official capacity the giver is asking for, then that is corruption the President will not allow" Belgica said. —KG/LBG, GMA News