Policy Statement and Scope
- Prohibits officials and employees from soliciting or accepting any gifts, gratuities, favors, loans, or anything of monetary value in connection with official duties or regulated operations.
- Applies to the Board of Administrators, Management, and all regular and project-based employees of the Corporation.
Objectives of the Policy
- Promote equal treatment and unbiased professionalism without expectation of favors.
- Reinforce integrity and diligent performance in public service.
- Ensure consistent, high-quality, and non-preferential service.
- Sustain transparency and uphold ethical conduct.
- Clarify rules on the receipt of gifts within the workplace.
Definitions
- Gift: Anything given gratuitously including gratuities, favors, compensations, discounts, services, or entertainment, excluding unsolicited gifts of nominal value without anticipation of favors.
- Gift Registry: Official record of all gifts received by officials and employees.
Responsibilities
- Board, Management, and employees must comprehend and comply with this policy.
- Management to enforce adherence across the Corporation.
Prohibitions
- No solicitation or acceptance of gifts, honoraria, sponsorships, discounts, rebates, or other monetary benefits from public or private entities related to the Corporation's functions.
- Includes but not limited to gifts given as an attempt to influence actions or create conflicts of interest.
Exemptions
- Gifts customary among inter-agency members or during official conferences.
- Tokens of gratitude as local custom, certificates, plaques, thank you notes.
- Seminar materials, moderately priced meals offered equally to event attendees.
- Publications useful to the Corporation with no pending business relationship.
- Authorized honoraria compliant with laws.
- Modest working meals during official transactions.
- Product samples of nominal value when legally permissible.
- Unsolicited insignificant gifts not meant to influence.
- Scholarships, travel grants allowed if consistent with government interests and Board approval.
- Grants from local or foreign institutions aligned with mandates and compliance with procurement laws.
Public Information and Transparency
- Board, Management, and employees must inform clients and stakeholders of this No Gift Policy and request compliance.
- Notices are to be posted within office premises and on the Corporation’s website.
Procedures for Handling Gifts
- Prohibited gifts shall be politely declined immediately.
- If return is impractical, gifts must be submitted within 24 hours to General Services Division for donation.
- General Services Division keeps a record of donated gifts.
Amendments and Review
- The Board of Administrators may amend this policy periodically as needed.
Penalties and Enforcement
- Violations reported to Human Resources for legal endorsement.
- Board members face sanctions under GCG rules and applicable laws.
- Management and employees face administrative sanctions per Civil Service laws and other rules.
Effectivity and Repeal
- The policy becomes effective upon Board approval and regulatory consent.
- Supersedes inconsistent previous guidelines, orders, and policies.
This policy promotes ethical standards and transparency by strictly regulating the acceptance of gifts among government officials and employees within the Corporation, enhancing public trust and governance integrity.