By Paulo Loreto Lim

During an integrity, transparency, and accountability in public service (ITAPS) seminar, a program conducted by the Human Resource Management Office, in partnership with the Office of the Ombudsman-Region VI, Iloilo City Administrator, Atty. Hernando Galvez, reminded those gathered about laws regarding the acceptance of gifts.
He cited RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, where he defined the act of receiving a gift as “accepting directly or indirectly, a gift from a person other than a member of his family or relative.”
The said law also lays out penalties for those who violate the act, including a fine equivalent of up to six months’ salary or a possible one year suspension.
According to Graft Investigation Officer I Evangeline Nuñal, the seminar was held in order to “remind government employees of their roles as providers of public services.”/WDJ