To: Undersecretaries
Regional Directors
Bureau and Center Directors
Schools Superintendents
Presidents, State Colleges and Universities
Vocational School Superintendents/Administrators

1. In a letter of President Corazon C. Aquino to all Cabinet Secretaries (See Inclosure), she emphatically reaffirms her stand against corruption in public service and her “resolve to undertake all the necessary measures to punish and eradicate it and prevent its recurrency.” (Underscoring is DECS’).
2. In the same letter, she declares that every Department Secretary shall be “held responsible for the honesty and efficiency of the service of his Department” in the same manner that she, as a President, is responsible for the integrity and competence of the members of DO_s1987_72her Cabinet.
3. In line with the President’s emphasis on command responsibility in the eradication of graft and corruption in public service, all undersecretaries, regional, bureau and center directors, heads of units in both the central and regional offices, presidents of state colleges and universities, district supervisors and principals shall be held accountable for the integrity and competence of the personnel under their direct supervision.
4. In accordance with the standards set by the President, i.e., being “uncompromising on the issue of graft and corruption” and performing one’s functions “with efficiency, honesty and frugality,” all the above officials are expected to set the tone of performance in their offices or institutions by their own personal example. As the President has indicated in her letter, she shall “take integrity as a necessary condition of continued service” in the government.
5. Every head of office or educational institution is “expected to move swiftly against corrupt subordinates, to set up systems that will detect corruption and prevent its recurrence, as well as promote ethics in the public service.”
6. In conformity with the principle of command responsibility, any breach of standards for public service by any official of this Department, e.g., graft and corruption, brought to the attention of this Office shall be immediately referred to the appropriate administrative or supervisory official for investigation and proper sanctions, if necessary. Such official shall be accountable to his superior officials and to this Office for the performance and conduct of the particular individual and for forestalling recurrence of undesirable conduct in public service.
7. Immediate and wide dissemination of this Order is desired.

(SGD.) LOURDES R. QUISUMBING
Minister
Incl.: As stated
Reference: None
Allotment: 1-2-3–(M.O. 1-87)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
OFFICIALS
POLICY
SERVICE

DO_s1987_72