“Noong sinasauli namin yun pera, naaalala namin yung sinumpaan namin tuwing lunes ng umaga, na hindi namin gagamitin ang aming panunungkulan sa sarili naming kapakanan o tatanggap ng suhol. Masaya na kami na nakakapagbigay-serbisyo sa kapwa at nakakapaglingkod sa bayan.” (When we returned the money, we remembered the oath we swore to keep every Monday morning that we will not use our office on our own behalf or to receive a bribe. We find satisfaction in serving others and being of service to the community.) These were the inspiring words of Mr. Sherwin Cortas, Admin. Aide IV during their commendation at the flag raising ceremony on April 13, 2015. He, together with Mr. Andy Cuadrillero, Social Welfare Officer I, returned a folded note containing Php 300.00 supposedly left as gift to the staff for their services. Ms. Hazel Militante, Protective Services Unit (PSU) Chief, commended the honorable deed done by two (2) of her staff from Travel Clearance Section (TCS), as instructed by the management. Both Mr. Cortas and Mr. Cuadrillero are on Job Order Status.

The action demonstrates compliance to Section 7, Article d of the Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. One of the prohibited acts in the said act is the “Solicitation or acceptance of gifts,” wherein “Public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.”

The occurrence happened on April 07, 2015. Prior to this, on April 01, 2015, the client offered to provide snacks for Mr. Cuadrillero while the assessment for her application was on-going, to which he politely refused. Instead, he explained that it was part of his job and that there is no need to provide anything for the services rendered. While the document is being released to the client, she asked Mr. Cortas to call for Mr. Cuadrillero but unfortunately, Mr. Cuadrillero was busy attending to another client.

Upon knowing that Mr. Cuadrillero cannot see her personally, the client hurriedly placed the folded note on the table where Mr. Cortas is seated. It was only after the client left when they noticed the folded note. Once opened, they saw Php 300.00 inside. Upon discovery of the money, the two staff immediately reported the incident to Ms. Maricel Barnedo, their OIC. They also tried to trace the contact details of the client. The money was kept intact at the Travel Clearance Section during the course of the search. On April 08, 2015, the client went back to the Travel Clearance Section in NCR to reclaim her money.

On the first instance of the case, Ms. Maricel Barnedo, OIC for Travel Clearance Section felt mixed emotions. “Nung una, natakot ako siyempre kasi di basta-basta yun eh, pera yung pinaguusapan eh, pero natuwa din ako sa ipinakita nilang katapatan” (At first, I was scared because it was no ordinary matter, that’s money we are talking about, but I am also glad they showed honesty.) She described Mr. Cortas as a diligent and responsible staff, who is motivated in the execution of his functions at the releasing of travel clearances. On the other hand, Mr. Cuadrillero is described as the silent, soft-spoken type, ready to take on the assessment of the clients processing for a travel clearance. Mr. Cortas and Mr. Cuadrillero were hired on February 24 and March 26, 2015 respectively. ###