Assumption of an LGU employee as the President of a Civil Society Organization (CSO)

a — BAGONG PILIPINAS Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA cor. Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City www.dilg.gov.ph 0 L ‘ SEP 16 2005 ILG OPINION NO. 112 = §. 2628 ATTY. JOSE JOEL P. DOROMAL Municipal Mayor Municipality of Maramag Province of Bukidnon Dear Mayor Doromal This pertains to your earlier letter to this Department requesting our opinion relative to the “assumption of an LGU employee as the President of a Civil Society Organization (CSO).” You inform us that one of your LGU’s department heads will take on the position of a federation president of the women’s organization in your locality. Hence, you are now requesting guidance to ensure that the actions of your municipality under the given circumstance align with the pertinent rules and regulations set forth in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2022-083". Specifically, you cited Item 4.4.8 thereof which provides: “4.0 General Guidelines 4.4. Selection of Representatives to the LSBs 4.4.8. In no case the selected representative of an organization be an employee of the provincial, city, or municipal government to avoid conflicts of interest pursuant to Section 1(1), Rule IX, of the Rules Implementing the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713). Under the foregoing statements, the question presents itself on whether an employee of a local government unit can sit as CSO representative in local special bodies (LSBs). From the abovecited provision, it is evident that an employee of the local government (whether provincial, city or municipal) is prohibited from serving as CSO representative in the LSBs. It is equally important to note that such prohibition is intended to prevent potential conflict of interest. On this, we deemed it necessary to indulge a discussion on what constitutes “conflict of interest”. The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees? defines Conflict of Interest, thus: 1 Guidelines on the Accreditation of Civil Society Organizations and Selection of Representatives to the Local Special Bodies ? Republic Act No. 6713 “Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan” Trunkline No. (02) 8876 3454