Chapter I

THE PROBLEM
Background of the Study
The whole education and formation of values is a lifetime effort of love. Love
requires unity of life, family and community. Only with universal charity can a person
thoughts, ideas, speech, words and deeds for himself/herself and for others be animated
as virtues in action (Angelo, 2010).
In life, you make some decisions which may be wrong or right without knowing it
and you have benefits from it either financially or emotionally, you may tend to do it.
Ethics help us to differentiate between right and wrong.
Descartes had made a statement: I think, therefore I am, but thinking is not
enough to be an ethical person. A person should be able to differentiate between right and
wrong. A society without ethics is like a judge of animals which kill other animals for
survival. The difference between man and animals is the capacity to think in various ways
and do choose which is best ethically.
Ethical decisions can be made using a school of thought. Epicurus believes that if
every person in the world is cautious, honest and just, then there will be a just society.
The basic thing is that the society will be a moral society if everybody is ethical. John
Stuart Mills believed that a person should not live for the pleasure, person should make

his own choice and only then will he feel responsible for his choice and therefore, his
decision.
Gonzales (2009) stated in his book, Employee Values are a Good Indicator of
Success, which employers look for when hiring full-time employees in addition to
relevant skills, employers seek employees who have the personal values, characteristics,
and personality traits that spell success. Good personal values are what make the
foundation for a good employee. Internships are an excellent time to show employers that
you have the personal traits that they value in their employees. Do not make the mistake
of missing the opportunity to show your supervisors at your internship that you have what
it takes to be successful on the job as well as possessing the personal characteristics they
value. An internship is an opportunity to learn the skills and behaviors along with the
work values that are required for success in the workplace.
The observance and adherence to ethical standards and public accountability are
critical parameters of the employees work performance and organizational success. This
is particularly evident in office and work units which are mandated to render services
with utmost levels of efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and relevance.
The Local Government Office is one distinctive part of the local government setup and policy-making body. As a service department to various clienteles, administration
and other clients, this office secures and maintains the credibility and integrity of the
offices records, and other vital reports and data which are supportive and critical to the
operations and standards of the local government units.

The strict adherence to ethical standards and the exercise of public accountability
among the employees of the local government units are therefore expected to be the most
functional avenues for the attainment of high levels of efficiency and effectiveness in
service delivery.
One basic policy of government concerning employees conduct and discipline is
stressed on the well-known dictum that public office is a public trust. Although this basic
concept is already firmly rooted in our system of government and is universally accepted
in all democratic governments, a categorical declaration thereof in the Constitution is
deemed necessary as it will always serve as a reminder to public offices of the Sacred
Character of the tasks and a warning that violation thereof would be nothing less than a
sacrilege. (De Leon 2005).
Any government office is trust for it is create for the sole purpose of effecting the
end for which the government has been instituted which is the common good and not for
the profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family or class of men. A public
official or employee, therefore, occupies a very delicate position which exacts from him
certain standards which generally are not demanded from or required of ordinary citizens.
A public official, in truth, is the trustee or servant of the people, and as such, he is
enjoined to serve his office with the highest degree of responsibility, integrity, loyalty,
and efficiency and at all times be accountable to the people. As a matter of fact, the act
of a public official should not only be legal but moral as well. He should be a role model
of honesty, competence and high standard of morality worthy for emulation. To a public

official who regards public office as a public trust, poverty with honor is preferable to
riches with dishonor.
In the performance of his duties and functions, and even in private life, a public
official must act with justice by giving everyone his due. He must not practice the socalled palakasan system whereby favored parties are given undue advantage or
preference on the basis of personal, political and other extraneous considerations.
Moreover, the norms of conduct of government employees shall be observed in
the course and discharge of their duties. Employees shall uphold the public interest over
and above personal interest. All government resources and powers of their respective
officer must be employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically,
particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and revenues. They must discharge their
duties with the highest degree of excellence, intelligence and skill. They shall endeavor to
discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as peddlers of undue patronage. (Azucena,
200)
Government employees shall remain true to the people at all times and act with
justness and sincerity. They shall not discriminate against anyone especially the poor and
underprivileged. Respect for the rights of others is of paramount importance and shall
refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morale, good customs, public policy, and
public interest. (Azucena, 200)
A high incidence of collusion and corruption by government employees has been
robbing the government of millions of tax payments. In a study made by the University of

the Philippines on the incidence of graft and corruption in the city of Manila, 22% of
government funds is lost in overpricing of supplies, 53% of businessmen complaining of
the extremely slow processing and approval of business permits. It took months or weeks
except when a facilitation fee is paid to fixers and their partners among city hall
employees. (David, 2001)
Business and industry has found out long ago that the educational background of
an employee is not a sufficient index of his skill and efficiency on a particular job, while
the school system takes charge of the general preparation of the youth for an occupational
profession. The profession of specific skills and inculcation of work ethics of those in the
labor force must be undertaken by the employers and employees themselves. Since
training increases the skills and ability of employees to perform specific jobs,
government undertakes trainings for employees. Included in these trainings are values
formation and ethical conduct for employees. This is essential because the government
wants to get the best out of every employee in its payroll.
Employee may have some shortcomings which he may not be aware of and he can
and will be glad to do something about it. It may reveal weak points or specific problems
such as excessive tardiness or absences. A performance rating which is a periodic view of
the employees; performance is conducted by the CSC among government employees.
This serves as a basis for appropriate supervisory counseling and guidance. It also
stimulates employees desire to improve himself.

Ethical Standards and the Code of Professional Conduct for government

employees aim to educate and instill in employees the value of exemplary performance,
quality output and high standards of behavior.
Government employees are expected to lead modest lives appropriate to their
positions and income and shall maintain and observe the principles of public
accountability.
These factors encourage the researcher to conduct a study on the ethical standards
of the Local Government Employees in Western Pangasinan.

Statement of the Problems

This study determine the adherence ethical standards

of local government

employees in the selected municipalities of Western Pangasinan, it identify and compare

the variables associated with awareness of the R.A. 6713 code of ethical standards for
government employees.
Specifically this study shall answer the following questions:
1. What is the profile of employees in the three classes of local government in terms
of:
1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
1.4.
1.5.
1.6.
1.7.

Age;
Gender;
Religion;
Civil Status;
Educational Attainment;
Monthly salary;
Length of Service?

2. What is the level of adherence to Ethical Standards of the local government

employees as perceived by local government employees themselves alongside the
following norms of ethical conduct:
a. Commitment to Public Interest;
b. Professionalism;
c. Justness and Sincerity;
d. Political Neutrality;
e. Responsiveness to the public; and
f. Simple Living?
3. Are there significant differences in the level of adherence to the Ethical Standards
for Public Officials and Employees of the local government employees in the
three classes of local government units?
4. Are there significant differences in the level of adherence to the Ethical Standards
for Public Officials and Employees of the local government employees when
grouped according to their personal profile?

Research Hypotheses
The study tested the following hypotheses at the 0.5 level of significance:
1. There are no significant differences between the perceptions of local government
employees on the adherence to the norms of ethical conduct embodied in R.A
6713 in the three Municipality classes.
2. There are no significant differences in the level of adherence to the norms of
ethical conduct of the local government employees when grouped according to:
2.1 age;
2.2 gender;
2.3 religion;

2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7

civil status;
educational attainment;
monthly salary; and
length of service

Significance of the Study

The output of the research was of significant to all government officials and
employees in the entire country, and most importantly to local government employees in
Western Pangasinan. Better implementation of ethical guidelines will enhance
professionalism and discipline among employees, improve working relationships,
improve productivity and increase performance output.
The study is also expected to generate the following relevant information and
findings which could be made as basis for policy formulation for the enhancement of the
performance of the local government employees.
1. Characterization and description of the focus of the elements of adherence to
ethical standards, exercise of public accountability and organizational
performance as they are observed in the Local government units particularly on
daily work practices and routine activities, decision-making, communication
networks, rewards and recognition.
2. Analysis of the organizational performance and service delivery of the Local
government employees themselves to ascertain conditions of work efficiency,
effectiveness and productivity.
3. Identification and analysis of the problems which occur in the observance of
adherence to ethical standards, exercise of public accountability and

organizational performance in the Local government employees work

performance as this will serve as inputs for the improvement and enhancement of
service.
4. Determination of relationship of adherence to ethical standards, exercise of public
accountability and organizational performance to the Local government
employees to ascertain the strength of the identified relationship.
5. Basis for the policy formulation and proposals to maximize adherence to ethical
standards, exercise of public accountability and organizational performance to
strengthen service delivery and work performance of the Local government
employees.

Scope and Delimitation

The investigation focused on the assessment of the adherence to the Ethical
Standards among the local government employees in the 1 st and 2nd Congressional
District of Pangasinan, since it is the desire of the researcher to help in the improvement
and upgrading of employees particularly among the department heads, rank, and file
employees in the first level of public service.
The respondents will be composed of 248 local career government employees
from the three (3) selected municipalities of the 1 st and 2nd Second congressional district
of Western Pangasinan. The agencies are composed of local career employees occupying
permanent positions in the municipalities of Aguilar, Burgos and Bolinao which were
selected by stratified sampling.

Definition of Terms
The following terms were used in the study and were defined lexically and
operationally for clear understanding of the research under consideration.
Administration. It is the overall operation and management of an organization.
In this study, it refers to the various functions and procedures in the governance of the
local government unit.
Age. Refers to the age if employee respondent expressed in number of years
reckoned from his last birthday.
Civil Status. Refers to the marital status of the respondent whether he/she is
single or married. Married respondents also refer to widow or widower.
Classes of Local Government. It refers to the class municipality they belong,
categorized as 1st to 5th class based on the Department of Finance classification.
Educational Attainment. Refers to the grade or degree the respondent has
achieved.
Gender. Refers as to whether the respondent is male or female.
Length of Service. It refers to the number of years the respondents have been
employed in the local government units.
Observance. This refers to the extent by which the code of conduct is carried out
or practiced in the Municipal Treasures Office.

Perception. This refers to the awareness of respondent in the Local government

units related to the observance of effectiveness of measures instituted to improve the
conduct and ethical standards of the employees of the Municipal Treasures Office.
Commitment to Public Interest. This refers to the conduct of civil servants
giving consideration to the welfare of the public and their constituents over their personal
welfare
Professionalism. This refers to the conduct that Public Officials and Employees
must demonstrate in the performance of their duties and functions coupled with
competence, efficiency and excellence at all times.
Justness and Sincerity. This refers to the conduct of public officials and
employees in discharging their functions coupled with sincerity, dedication, honesty,
fairness and reasonableness in dealing with the public.
Political Neutrality. This is one of the Norm of Conduct where public Officials
and employees shall perform their duties equitably and attend to everyone regardless of
political ideologies.
Responsiveness to the Public. This refers to the Norm of Conduct where public
officials and employees are expected to serve the public with promptness, courtesy,
appropriately and efficiently.
Nationalism and Patriotism. A Norm of Conduct where civil servants are
expected to be models of nationalism. They must show love of country and people and
are prepared to serve the country at whatever cost.

Commitment to Democracy. This Norm of Conduct where Civil servants are

required to uphold the constitution and its provision. They must respect the rights of
people and be responsible in exercising their rights.
Simple Living. This refers to the Norm of Conduct where public officials and
employees are required to live within their means and avoid extravagance and luxury.
The same holds true for their families.
Nepotism. This refers to an act where an officer or a person in authority appoints
relatives and members of the family within the third consanguinity and affinity.
Bribery. This refers to an act constituting crime, in connection with the
performance of his official duties in consideration of any offer, promise, gift, or present
received by such offer personally or through mediation.
Graft and Corruption. This refers to an act of misappropriating and gaining
resources for personal enrichment which usually involve persons in authority who
conspire to achieve their personal goals.
Falsification of Official Document. This refers to counterfeiting, imitating any
handwriting, signature and issuing and authenticated form of document purporting to be a
copy of the original document.
Level of Effectiveness. This refers to the degree of efficiency or operability.
Positive Discipline. It aims to reform and rehabilitate an individual who has
committed a violation of law, and not to punish him.
Sanctions for Non-Compliance or Observance of the law. This refers to an
authoritative approval or a measure designed to enforce a law or standard.