Gift-giving in the Philippines

Here’s a summary of the gift-giving legislation for the Philippines. It’s from the ethiXbase GRC Database, which covers anti-corruption legislation for 140 countries and gift-giving rules for more than 80 countries. All of the laws can be viewed online or instantly downloaded from the ethiXbase GRC Database.

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Gift-giving legislation can be found in the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Penal Code.

The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Section 7, prohibits public officials of accepting a gift of more than nominal value in connection with their or their department’s official duties.

Exemptions are made for gifts from foreign governments that serve as souvenirs or marks of courtesy. Public servants may also accept scholarships, fellowship grants, and medical treatments from foreign officials. In addition, public servants may accept travel grants from foreign governments when doing so serves the interest of the Philippines and has been approved by their head of office, branch or agency.

The Revised Penal Code (Act No.3815), Articles 210 to 212, prohibits public officers from considering any offer, promise, gift or present in order to cause that public officer to execute or to refrain from executing an act in connection with his official activity. It also prescribes the penalties for public officers and gift-givers to be at least in its medium period and a fine of not less than twice the value of gift.

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