Something worthwhile

THE WORD ‘VOW’ is something solemn. It connotes the depth of commitment to a cause and it calls for a reflection of knowing and standing by one’s beliefs, ideals, and things of utmost significance.

There are people who consciously commit themselves to something they feel strongly about, to something that is larger than themselves such as public servants who adhere to the highest degree of accountability and integrity in public service by filing their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth or SALN; Commissioner Mary Ann Z. Fernandez-Mendoza’s award-winning advocacy towards making the Philippine bureaucracy smoke-free; and Civil Service Commission Pagasa awardee Bayle G. Baguioan’s struggle to exemplify industriousness and dedication in government service. These are brought to the fore in the April issue of the R.A.C.E eNewsletter.

We hope that their stories inspire us to dedicate ourselves to something worthwhile, not just for individual gains but for the good of all. q

R.A.C.E.

SALN: A Public Accountability Measure

A SIMPLE, regular document all government employees are familiar with gained popularity of epic proportions due to the impeachment trial of the highest official of the judiciary branch of government. Many a civil servant is suddenly called to attention as negligence in accomplishing this document could lead to impeachment or dismissal from service. This headline-grabbing piece of paper is none other than the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth a.k.a. SALN.

The SALN is any public official or employee’s declaration of his/her wealth. BusinessDictionary.com defines assets as “something valuable that an entity owns, benefits from, or has use of, in generating income.” Liabilities, on the other hand, refer to financial liability or anything that can result to a transfer or disposal of an asset through personal loans or otherwise obtained from banks, financial institutions, GSIS, PAG-IBIG, and the like. Net worth is the sum of all assets (real, personal, and other assets) less total liabilities. It is the sum total of one’s wealth. With these declarations, the SALN, then, serves as any public servant’s “wealth tracker.”

Filing of one’s SALN is mandated by law under Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) and Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

Section 8 of RA 6713 states that public officials and employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth, and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.

Likewise, RA 3019, the law that preceded RA 6713 by a good 16 years, states that every public officer shall prepare and file a true detailed and sworn statement of assets and liabilities, including a statement of the amounts and sources of his income, the amounts of his personal and family expenses, and the amount of income taxes paid for the next preceding calendar year.

A few months ago, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) conducted an information campaign on the use of the new SALN form. CSC Resolution No. 11-00902 dated July 8, 2011 prescribed the guidelines in the use of the revised SALN form. Subsequently, public officials and employees were enjoined to use the new form through CSC Memorandum Circular 19, s. 2011. Primers were distributed and briefings on how to fill out the new form were conducted in government agencies.

However, last March 15, the CSC signed Resolution No. 12-00480 deferring the use of the revised form. The resolution cites considerations such as several requests from various sectors. Employees associations claimed that government workers have not fully comprehended the requirements in filling out the new form, while the House of Representatives and Senate of the Philippines raised questions on the legality of the revised form.

The resolution also states that those who have already filed their SALN for 2011 using the new form are deemed to have complied with the required submission of the SALN.

CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III noted the importance of establishing a Review and Compliance Committee that shall review whether the SALN is submitted on time, accomplished completely, and in proper form

In light of the deferment, the CSC shall undertake a more thorough and comprehensive review of the revised SALN form. An inter-agency technical working group (TWG), which shall be headed by Chairman Duque, shall study the issues raised by various groups.

Nevertheless, the deferment does not mean postponing the submission of SALN. All public servants are still duty bound to submit their SALN by April 30 using the 1994 SALN form. Failure to do so may result to suspension or dismissal from service.

Issues surrounding SALN may seem complicated as there are serious repercussions to simple negligence of its filing. This is because the SALN is a testament to a public servant’s accountability and transparency to the public. q

R.A.C.E.

CSC awarded for tobacco control advocacy

AN ADVOCACY GROUP has recognized the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for its efforts to protect public health through tobacco control.

The CSC, along with the Department of Health (DOH), received the Award for Excellence in Countering Tobacco Industry Interference in the Philippines from HealthJustice Philippines for their issuance of Joint Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2010-01. The said issuance aims to protect the bureaucracy against tobacco industry interference, or tactics and strategies used by the tobacco industry to interfere with the setting and implementing of tobacco control measures.

Atty. Krunimar Escudero III (leftmost, standing) of the CSC’s Office for Legal Affairs accepted the HealthJustice award on behalf of Commissioner Mary Ann Fernandez Mendoza. With him are the other recipients of the awards for helping combat the tobacco industry's interference in public health measures.

During the award ceremony last March 28, CSC Commissioner Mary Ann Z. Fernandez-Mendoza was also given a Special Recognition for her Outstanding Contribution to Countering Tobacco Industry Interference and for leading the CSC’s efforts towards a smoke-free Philippine bureaucracy.

Commissioner Mendoza’s strong stance on tobacco control has inspired stringent smoke-free policies in various government agencies such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Supreme Court, and various local government units (LGUs) including the cities of Parañaque, Pasig, and Makati, to go smoke-free using CSC standards.

Her leadership in protecting the bureaucracy against tobacco industry interference, not only have the agencies and LGUs gone smoke-free, they have likewise taken active measures to avoid partnerships with the tobacco industry. The LTFRB, National Youth Council, Commission on Higher Education, and Department of Science and Technology have adopted and echoed the CSC’s policy on industry interference, and LGUs have found a new tool to challenge tobacco industry interference in the development of tobacco control ordinances.

“We are glad that other organizations are taking notice of the CSC’s efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle not only within the public sector, but also among our clientele, the general public,” said Commissioner Mendoza.

CSC Regional Office No. 5 was also cited for demanding the exclusion of tobacco industry representatives during the public hearing of a proposed smoke-free ordinance in Albay.

Aside from Commissioner Mendoza, other individuals awarded for standing firm against tobacco industry interference, include: Cito Beltran, Dr. Maria Soledad Antonio, Atty. Alexander Padilla, former Senator Juan Flavier, former Health Secretary Jaime Galvez-Tan, Dr. Alfredo Bengzon, and Fr. Robert Reyes.

Anti-tobacco policies

CSC-DOH Joint MC No. 2010-01 bans all government officials and employees from interacting with the tobacco industry, unless when strictly necessary for effective regulation, supervision, or control. Prohibited acts include providing preferential treatment such as incentives and exemptions to the tobacco industry, and soliciting or accepting any donation or favor from the tobacco industry in connection with any operation or transaction of the agency.

In 2009, the CSC issued MC No. 17 that ordered an absolute smoking ban in all government premises that provide health, education, and social welfare and development services such as hospitals, health centers, schools, and universities. This means that no “smoking area” shall be found in such places.

By conducting symposia and capacity-building seminars nationwide, the CSC actively encouraged government agencies to implement MC 17. Several national agencies, including the CSC, the DOH, and the Department of Agriculture, have already declared their offices as 100% smoke-free.

In November 2010, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) directed its employees, including traffic, field, and office-based personnel, to refrain from smoking within the premises of the office and field of assignments, and inside any MMDA vehicle. Clients, guests, and visitors are also prohibited to smoke within the premises of the MMDA building.

HealthJustice, a non-governmental organization focused on research and capacity-building for priority public health policies, held the very first awards ceremony to honor exceptional efforts in tobacco control pursuant to the Philippines’ treaty obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. q

R.A.C.E.

CSI: Course Offerings for April 2012

[Click on the image to view training details.]