Policemen should not accept gifts except when it’s of “insignificant value” like food, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said yesterday, after President Rodrigo Duterte said it was alright to do so.
“We are following the code of ethical standard for public officials and employees, that is what we are following, our police may misinterpret it,” Albayalde said in a radio interview on dzMM.
Duterte, at the 118th Police Service Anniversary on Friday, said police may accept gifts if given out of generosity.
Albayalde said that any gift was prohibited “especially when it’s in exchange for a favour – that’s prohibited.”
The only exception are gifts with “insignificant” value, such as food, sent during birthdays, which Albayalde said, could have been what the President meant.
Police officers, Albayalde said, should adhere to Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which prohibits public officials and employees to “solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favour, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties.”