No Strings Attached

We have fitnessed yet again a new episode of President Rodrigo Duterter versus the Filipinos
after he pragmatically made a remark that it's copacetic for police personnel to receive gifts if no
favor is given in return during his speech at the 118th Police Service Anniversary at Camp Crame in
Quezon City and instantly became the talk of the town as majority of the Filipinos opposed his
statement.

According to the President, if a person was gladdened because a policeman has

accomplished its job flawlessly and was pleased enough to send him a gift, then the cop has every
reason to accept it for it's not an act of bribery as it was given out of generosity.

President Spokesman Salvador Panelo reaffirmed the President's statement and noted that
police offircers can accept gifts of nominal values for as long as these are not excessive, and is not
given in anticipation of a favor coming from the recipient.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde assured the public that
police officers would refuse gifts with strings attached as policemen are bound to follow Republic
Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which
mandates that all 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.

But nothing in this world provides no exception, not even with the Philippine law as RA 3019
Section 14 states "unsolicited gifts or presents of small or insignificant value offered or given as a
mere ordinary token of gratitude or friendship according to local customs or usage, shall be
excepted from the provisions of this act," cited as an example of a small gift is a plaque of
appreciation.

Perhaps, President Duterte, a former city prosecutor, was referring to this provision. The rest
of the laws set no monetary value on the prohibited gifts. In ang case, he does not define the law,
but is merely sworn to uphold it.

For all that reasons, the government should let all cops and other government officials and
employees receive gifts without the fear of being ousted, besides it came from the General himself
that they are positive that their people would not take gifts if there's strings attached. For that
matter, all public workers should be warned to accept gifts at their own risk.