Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve with the utmost responsibilities, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.
A public servant must exhibit at all times the highest sense of honesty and integrity. As a recipient of a public trust, he is obliged to do the duties of his office honestly, faithfully, and to the best of his ability. As a trustee for the public, he must demonstrate courtesy and civility in his official actuations with the public. He must use reasonable skill and diligence in performing his official duties, particularly where rights of individuals may be jeopardized by his neglect. He is bound virtute offici, to bring to the discharge of his duties that prudence, caution and attention which careful men usually exercise in managing their own affairs.
"Public offices are intended primarily for the collective protection, safety, and benefit of the common good. They cannot be compromised to favor private interest." (Chief Justice Marcelo B. Fernan).
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