CSC to govt employees: keep Christmas parties simple

Government agencies received a last-minute reminder to keep their Christmas parties simple, and to resist the temptation to receive expensive gifts. Over the weekend, Civil Service Commission chairman Francisco Duque III said those who receive — or even ask for — gifts face charges under the Anti-Graft Act. "May kaparusahan yan, pwedeng kasuhan administratively (There are penalties for asking for and receiving gifts. You face administrative sanctions)," Duque said in an interview on dzBB radio. Section 7(d) of Republic Act 6713 prohibits public officials and employees from soliciting or accepting 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." Penalties include a fine of up to six months' salary or suspension of up to one year, or removal depending on the gravity of the offense after due notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency. If the violation is punishable by a heavier penalty under another law, he shall be prosecuted under the latter statute. A public official or employee may also face removal or dismissal even if no criminal prosecution is instituted against him or her. Private individuals who participate in conspiracy as co-principals, accomplices or accessories, with public officials or employees may be subject to the same penal liabilities as the public officials or employees and shall be tried jointly with them. Duque said that while receiving Christmas cards are acceptable, any money or valuables "sandwiched" inside will not be. "Ang card pwede, ang laman hindi. Basta ang card walang naka-sandwich, walang palaman (The card is acceptable, the cash sandwiched there is not)," he said. On the other hand, he said government agencies holding parties can hold exchange-gift programs so long as it is among the workers. He encouraged employees to observe a price limit on the exchange-gift programs, however. "Kung parties or exchange gifts okay lang, siguro may limitation mga P100 ang exchange gifts (If it is an exchange of gifts within the party, it will be okay. It would be better if there is a price limit like P100)," he said. Earlier this month, the Education Department also reminded officials of 43,000 public elementary and high schools to their parties simple and austere. Education Secretary Armin Luistro said it is not practical to spend so much for just one occasion, especially if the students' families cannot afford it. — RSJ, GMANews.TV