“no gift policy” page 1 of 4nfc.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/nfc-no-gift-policy... ·...
TRANSCRIPT
“NO GIFT POLICY” Page 1 of 4
nfc no gift policy rev01 05july2015 final_updated4Sept15
Section I : RATIONALE
The Northern Foods Corporation (NFC) adopts the “No Gift Policy” in compliance with:
A. CONSTITUTIONAL POLICY GOVERNING PUBLIC OFFICERS
Section 1, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution delineates the accountability of public officer,
thus:
ARTICLE XI
ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS
SECTION 1. PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST. PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES MUST,
AT ALL TIMES, BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE; SERVE THEM WITH UTMOST
RESPONSIBILITY, INTEGRITY, LOYALTY AND EFFICIENCY; ACT WITH PATRIOTISM
AND JUSTICE; AND LEAD MODEST LIVES.
The principle is reiterated in the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, thus: Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. – It is the policy of the State to promote a highs standard of
ethics in public service. Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and loyalty, act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold public interest over personal interest.
B. STATUTORY POLICIES AND RULES AGAINST ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS BY PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
1. Section 29 of the Code of Corporate Governance for GOCCs (GCG Memorandum Circular
No. 2012‐07, s. 2012) directing the NFC Board to formally adopt a “No Gift Policy” and “ensure its full advertisement to the community and its strict implementation by particular set of rules”;
2. Section 27, Article II of the 1987 Constitution which states that "The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption.";
3. Section 1, Anti‐Graft and Corruption Practices Act (RA 3019) which provides that "It is the policy of the Philippine Government, in line with the principle that a public office is a public trust, to repress certain acts of public officers and private persons alike which constitute graft and corrupt practices or which may lead thereto." ;
“NO GIFT POLICY” Page 2 of 4
nfc no gift policy rev01 05july2015 final_updated4Sept15
4. Section 3 (b) and (c) of RA 3019 which declares as a corrupt practice the acts of: "Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the Government and any other party, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under that law" and "Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present or other pecuniary or material benefit, for himself or for another, from any person for whom the public officer, in any manner or capacity, has secured or obtained, or will secure or obtain any Government permit or license, in consideration for the help given or to be given …";
5. Section 7 (d) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) which mandates that "Public Officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan, or use 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."
Section II. COVERAGE
This Policy shall apply to all NFC employees, officers, and the members of the Board of Directors in all dealings with the public.
Section III. RULES
A. "NO GIFT POLICY" ‐ Except as otherwise provided in this Policy, all employees, officers, and members of its Board of Directors, shall not solicit, or accept, directly, or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan, or use, anything of monetary value from a person, groups, associations, or juridical entities, whether from the public or the private sectors, at any time, on or off the work premises, where such gift is either:
1. Given in the course of their official duties or in connection with any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office;
2. Illegal or in violation of laws;
3. Part of an attempt or agreement to do anything in return;
4. Given to influence the actions of directors or employees; or
5. Create the appearance of a conflict of interest.
B. ALLOWABLE GIFTS ‐ The following gifts shall be exempted from the prohibition under this Policy:
1. Certificates, plaques, cards, thank you notes, or other written forms of souvenir or mark of courtesy, recognition, or appreciation.
“NO GIFT POLICY” Page 3 of 4
nfc no gift policy rev01 05july2015 final_updated4Sept15
2. Seminar items (e.g. pens, handouts, etc.) or any other materials which are uniformly given to all participants in the seminar;
3. Books, pamphlets, publications, data and other information or reading materials that are
directly useful to the corporation in the performance of its mandates, objectives, and
are given by individuals or organizations that have no pending business with the
corporation as to create an actual or potential conflict of interest;
4. Gifts given on special occasions between and among NFC employees, officers, or
Directors. Such gifts should be unsolicited of small or insignificant value or given as a
mere token of gratitude according to local customs or usage;
5. Scholarships or fellowship grants, travel grants or expenses for travel taking place within
or outside of the Philippines (such as allowances, transportation, food and lodging) if
appropriate and consistent with the interest of the government, and with prior approval
by the Chairman of NFC in accordance with applicable laws or regulations.
6. Acceptance or availment by the NFC of grants from local or foreign institutions in the
pursuit of its mandates, projects and activities, such as those coming from the Asian
Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB), USAID, etc., provided that the availment
thereof shall be strictly in compliance with the applicable procurement laws, rules and
regulations.
7. Working lunches or dinners with clients or other stakeholders of the corporation, if such
lunches or dinners are inevitable in the course of official transaction. Such lunches or
dinners should, however, be of modest value not beyond what is normal or customary
in the sector or business where NFC operates, especially in dealing with potential
suppliers, tomato paste customers or tomato contract growers;
8. Product samples of nominal value given by clients or potential clients if giving such
samples are allowed under the law or part of the standard procedures mandated by law,
or the rules (on government procurement covering potential suppliers).
It must be stressed that it is not the monetary value of the gift which is controlling, but rather the circumstances behind its giving, i.e., whether or not the gift is expected to influence the action of the official or employee concerned.
C. REQUIREMENT TO INFORM:
NFC officers and employees are required to professionally inform any individual or organization with any actual or potential business with the NFC of this “No Gift Policy”, the reasons the NFC has adopted this policy, and request such individual or organization respect