Code of Ethics

of Professional
Teachers

Midterms Number 1
Source of Original PowerPoint Presentation –
slideshare.net of
FELIX V. BERNAL, JR. II, R.Ed
Supplemented by
https://theroadtoproteaching.wordpress.
com/2015/10/14/code-of-ethics-for-
professional-teachers/ and
https://www.ceap.org.ph/upload/downlo
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otherwise stated
The Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers
issued by the Board for Professional Teachers
through Resolution No. 435 series of 1997,
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph €,
Article II of RA No 7836, otherwise known as
the “Philippine Teachers Professionalization
Act of 1994”

https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/education-
and-home/2017/05/31/1705498/teachers-code-ethics-
and-moral-responsibility
 Preamble
Teachers are duly licensed professionals who possesses dignity
and reputation with high moral values as well as technical and
professional competence in the practice of their noble
profession, and they strictly adhere to, observe, and practice
this set of ethical and moral principles, standards, and values.
The preamble sets the stage for
the Constitution (Archives.gov). It clearly
communicates the intentions of the framers
and the purpose of the document. The
preamble is an introduction to the highest
law of the land; it is not the law. It does not
define government powers or individual
rights.

https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-
courts/educational-resources/about-educational-
outreach/activity-resources/us
Code of Ethics for Professional Teacher
Section 1. This code shall apply to ALL TEACHERS
in schools in the Philippines

Section 2. Covers ALL PUBLIC and PRIVATE school

TEACHERS in all educational institution at the pre-
school, primary, elementary, and secondary levels
whether academic, vocational, special, technical,
or non-formal. “Teacher”-industrial arts or
vocational teachers and all other persons
performing SUPERVISORY and/or
ADMINISTRATIVE functions in all school,
whether on full time or part time basis.
 The provision of this code shall
be applied to all the teachers in
all schools in the Philippines. By
this doing this, quality education
will be achieved for all Filipino
citizens.
Section 1. The schools are the nurseries of the future citizens of the
state; each teacher is a trustee of the cultural and educational
heritage of the nation and is under obligation to transmit to
learners such heritage as well as to elevate national morality,
promote national pride, cultivate love of country, instill allegiance
to the constitution and for all duly constituted authorities, and
promote obedience to the laws of the state.

Section 2. Every teacher or school official shall actively help carry

out the declared policies of the state, and shall take an oath to this
effect.
Section 3. In the interest of the State and of the
Filipino people as much as of his own, every teacher
shall be physically, mentally and morally fit.

Section 4. Every teacher shall possess and actualize a

full commitment and devotion to duty.

Section 5. A teacher shall not engage in the

promotion of any political, religious, or other
partisan interest, and shall not, directly or indirectly,
solicit, require, collect, or receive any money or
service or other valuable material from any person or
entity for such purposes.
Any deviation from the prescribed standards, principles and values
renders a teacher unfit to continue practicing his profession. Thus, it
is required that a teacher must at all times be moral, honorable and
dignified.
The discovery of petitioner’s bigamous marriage has definitely
caused damage to the teaching profession. How can he hold his
head up high and expect his students, his peers and the community
to look up to him as a model worthy of emulation when he failed to
follow the tenets of morality?
G.R. No. 183678
Puse vs Puse
https://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/mar2010/gr_183678_20
10.html
Section 6. Every teacher shall vote and shall exercise
all other constitutional rights and responsibility.

Section 7. A teacher shall not use his position or official authority

or influence to coerce any other person to follow any political
course of action.

Section 8. Every teacher shall enjoy academic freedom and shall

have privilege of expounding the product of his researches and
investigations; provided that, if the results are inimical to the
declared policies of the State, they shall be brought to the proper
authorities for appropriate remedial action.
“It is very, very clear in the Constitution that employees
belonging to the civil service like us must behave and
exhibit what is described as political neutrality. We are
insisting on political neutrality on the part of our
employees,” Briones said.
“Voting is the right of every citizen but there are
prohibited acts…. Campaigning is another matter
altogether. Persuading and the use of democratic power
to compel others to vote for candidates – that is not
allowed,” Briones said.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/
221006-deped-briones-teachers-employees-do-not-
engage-politics
What activities are banned? According to DepEd Order No. 48
issued on November 13, 2018, prohibited activities include the
following:
• Forming groups to solicit votes and campaign for or against a
political party or candidate
• Making speeches, commentaries, announcements, or holding
interviews for or against a party or candidate
• Creating, distributing, or displaying campaign materials
• “Directly or indirectly” gathering contributions for political
purposes
• Wearing campaign materials bearing names of politicians or
political parties
• Being a watcher for a candidate or political party during elections
• Using government resources including personnel, property, and
time for political purposes
Here, the teacher is said to build every individual’s
national morality to the love of the country to the
extent that they are aware of their surroundings
and obey the laws implemented by the country. It is
believed that schools are the nurseries of the
citizens of the state. Therefore, teachers must be
able to fully transmit cultural and educational
heritage to their learners. Teachers must also be
role-models when it comes to human rights and
responsibilities.
FYI

What is academic
freedom?
 ANSWER

The Supreme Court of the U.S said that

Academic Freedom means a university
can “determine for itself on academic
grounds:
1. Who may teach
2. What may taught
3. How it should be taught
4. Who may be admitted to study.”
…the concept of institutional academic
freedom, it was derived from the individual
academic freedom of professors which refers
to their freedom to adopt their own teaching
methods, techniques, and to pursue the truth
free from external and internal control
subject only to reasonable limitations.

https://www.manilatimes.net/academic-freedom-
for-the-academy-not-for-academicians/504162/
The court also cited academic freedom accorded to a
faculty member which pertains to the right to pursue his
studies in his particular specialty. It is defined as a right
claimed by the accredited educator, as teacher and as
investigator, to interpret his findings and to communicate
his conclusions without being subjected to any
interference, molestation, or penalty because these
conclusions are unacceptable to some constituted
authority within or beyond the institution.

https://www.manilatimes.net/academic-freedom-for-the-
academy-not-for-academicians/504162/
Citing Camacho v. Coresis, Jr., GR 134372, [Aug. 22, 2002]
Section 1. A teacher is:
-facilitator of learning and of the development of the youth;
-render the best service by providing an environment
conducive to such learning and growth.

Section 2. …shall provide leadership and initiative to actively

participate in community movements for moral, social,
educational, economic and civic betterment.

Section 3. …shall merit reasonable social recognition

….shall behave with honor and dignity at all times
….refrain from such activities as gambling, smoking,
drunkenness, and other excesses, much less illicit relations.
CHERYLL SANTOS LEUS, PETITIONER, VS. ST.
SCHOLASTICA'S COLLEGE WESTGROVE AND/OR
SR. EDNA QUIAMBAO, OSB, RESPONDENTS.
[ G.R. No. 187226, January 28, 2015 ]
• petitioner) was hired by St. Scholastica's College Westgrove (SSCW), a Catholic educational
institution, as a non-teaching personnel, engaged in pre-marital sexual relations, got pregnant out
of wedlock... married the father of her child,... and was dismissed by SSCW, in that order.
• petitioner and her boyfriend conceived a child out of wedlock. When SSCW learned of the
petitioner's pregnancy, Sr. Edna Quiambao... advised her to file a resignation letter effective June 1,
2003. In response, the petitioner... informed Sr. Quiambao that she would not resign from her
employment just because she got pregnant... without the benefit of marriage.[
• . Quiambao formally directed the petitioner to explain in writing why she should not be dismissed
for engaging in pre-marital sexual relations and getting pregnant as a result thereof, which amounts
to serious misconduct and conduct unbecoming of an employee... of a Catholic school.
• In a letter[11] dated June 6, 2003, SSCW, through counsel, maintained that pre-marital sexual
relations, even if between two consenting adults without legal impediment to marry, is considered
a disgraceful and immoral conduct or a serious misconduct, which... are grounds for the
termination of employmen... petitioner filed a complaint for illegal dismissal
The court sided with Leus. The
respondent, St. Scholastica's College
Westgrove, is hereby declared guilty of
illegal dismissal.

Same decision with Union School

International VS Dagdag GR No 234186
 The fact of the petitioner's pregnancy out of
wedlock, without more, is not enough to
characterize the petitioner's conduct as disgraceful
or immoral. There must be substantial evidence to
establish that pre-marital sexual relations and,
consequently, pregnancy out of wedlock, are
indeed considered disgraceful or immoral.

Public and secular morality should determine the

prevailing norms of conduct, not religious
morality.
if the father of the child is himself unmarried, the woman is not ordinarily
administratively liable for disgraceful and immoral conduct. It may be a not-so-
ideal situation and may cause complications for both mother and child but it does
not give cause for administrative sanction. There is no law which penalizes an
unmarried mother under those circumstances by reason of her sexual conduct
or proscribes the consensual sexual activity between two unmarried persons.
Neither does the situation contravene any fundamental state policy as
expressed in the Constitution, a document that accommodates various belief
systems irrespective of dogmatic origins.

if the father of the child born out of wedlock is himself married to a woman
other than the mother, then there is a cause for administrative sanction against
either the father or the mother. In such a case, the "disgraceful and immoral
conduct" consists of having extramarital relations with a married person. The
sanctity of marriage is constitutionally recognized and likewise affirmed by our
statutes as a special contract of permanent union. Accordingly, judicial employees
have been sanctioned for their dalliances with married persons or for their own
betrayals of the marital vow of fidelity.
Anonymous v. Radam
It bears stressing that the right of an employee to security of
tenure is protected by the Constitution. Perfunctorily, a regular
employee may not be dismissed unless for cause provided under
the Labor Code and other relevant laws, in this case, the 1992
MRPS.
Accordingly, in order for a conduct to be considered as disgraceful
or immoral, it must be "'detrimental (or dangerous) to those
conditions upon which depend the existence and progress of
human society' and not because the conduct is proscribed by the
beliefs of one religion or the other.“
Thus, in Santos v. NLRC,[46] the Court upheld the dismissal of a
teacher who had an extra-marital affair with his co-teacher, who is
likewise married, on the ground of disgraceful and immoral
conduct under Section 94(e) of the 1992 MRPS. The Court pointed
out that extra-marital affair is considered as a disgraceful and
immoral conduct is an afront to the sanctity of marriage, which is a
basic institution of society.
*Manual of Regulations for Private Schools
The petitioner's pregnancy out of wedlock is not a disgraceful or
immoral conduct since she and the father of her child have no
impediment to marry each other.
That her indiscretion, which resulted in her pregnancy out of
wedlock, is anathema to the doctrines of the Catholic Church.
However, viewed against the prevailing norms of conduct, the
petitioner's conduct cannot be considered as disgraceful or immoral;
such conduct is not denounced by public and secular morality. It may
be an unusual arrangement, but it certainly is not disgraceful or
immoral within the contemplation of the law.
To stress, pre-marital sexual relations between two consenting adults
who have no impediment to marry each other, and, consequently,
conceiving a child out of wedlock, gauged from a purely public and
secular view of morality, does not amount to a disgraceful or immoral
conduct under Section 94(e) of the 1992 MRPS.
There is no substantial evidence to prove that the
petitioner's pregnancy out of
wedlock caused grave scandal to SSCW and its
students.
Settled is the rule that in termination cases, the
burden of proving that the dismissal of the employees
was for a valid and authorized cause rests on the
employer. It is incumbent upon the employer to show
by substantial evidence that the termination of the
employment of the employees was validly made and
failure to discharge that duty would mean that the
dismissal is not justified and therefore illegal.
"Security of tenure is a right which may not be denied
on mere speculation of any unclear and nebulous
basis.“
The petitioner's dismissal is not a valid exercise of SSCW's
management prerogative.
Management cannot exercise its prerogative in a cruel, repressive,
or despotic manner.
SSCW, as employer, undeniably has the right to discipline its
employees and, if need be, dismiss them if there is a valid cause to
do so. However, as already explained, there is no cause to dismiss
the petitioner. Her conduct is not considered by law as disgraceful
or immoral. Further, the respondents themselves have admitted
that SSCW, at the time of the controversy, does not have any policy
or rule against an employee who engages in pre-marital sexual
relations and conceives a child as a result thereof. There being no
valid basis in law or even in SSCW's policy and rules, SSCW's
dismissal of the petitioner is despotic and arbitrary and, thus, not
a valid exercise of management prerogative.
Take away from Union School
International vs Dagdag GR 234186
The test of constructive dismissal is
whether a reasonal person in the
employee’s position would have felt
compelled to give up his employment /
position under the circumstances.
Resign VS Dismissal and revocation of
teaching license
Section 4. …shall live for and with the community’
…shall study and understand local customs and traditions in order
to have sympathetic attitude,
…refrain from disparaging the community.

Section 5. …shall help the school keep the people in the

community informed about the school work and accomplishments
as well as its needs and problems.

Section 6. …is intellectual leader in the community,

…shall welcome the opportunity to provide such leadership when
needed,
…extend counseling services, as appropriate, and to actively be
involved in matters affecting the welfare of the people.
Section 7. Every teacher shall maintain
harmonious and pleasant personal and
official relations with other professionals, with government
officials, and with the people, individually or collectively.

Section 8. A teacher posses freedom to attend church and

worships as appropriate, but shall not use his positions and
influence to proselyte others.
- a person who has converted from one opinion, religion, or
party to another.
Section 1. Every teacher shall actively insure
that teaching is the noblest profession, and
shall manifest genuine enthusiasm and
pride in teaching as a noble calling.

Section 2. Every teacher shall uphold the

highest possible standards of quality
education, shall make the best preparations
for the career of teaching, and shall be at his
best at all times and in the practice of his
profession.
What is QUALITY EDUCATION?

“x x x making sure that basic

education is really solid, because if it is
not solid, it affects the quality of
secondary education. If secondary
education is poor, then the person goes
to college unprepared for college work.
And if he is allowed to graduate again
with a poor quality college education, he
goes to university professional education
even more unprepared.”
- Rev. Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ
Section 3. Every teacher shall participate in
the Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
program of the Professional Regulation
Commission, and shall pursue such other
studies as will improve his efficiency,
enhance the prestige of the profession, and
strengthen his competence, virtues, and
productivity in order to be nationally and
internationally competitive.
In Evelyn Pena vs. NLRC, the SC said—
“x x x schools can set high
standards of efficiency for its
teachers since quality education is a
mandate of the Constitution x x x
(s)ecurity of tenure x x x cannot be
used to shield incompetence.”
Section 4. Every teacher shall help, if
duly authorized, to seek support from
the school, but shall not make
improper misrepresentations through
personal advertisements and other
questionable means.

Section 5. Every teacher shall use the

teaching profession in a manner that
makes it dignified means for earning
a decent living.
Being a professional teacher is a
serious matter. They must love and
embrace their profession
wholeheartedly. In addition to that,
they must be dedicated for it is part of
their pride. Every teacher must have
this attitude of having an open mind
while being aware of continuous
growth for betterment.
Section 1. Professional loyalty, mutual confidence,
and faith in one another, self-sacrifice for the
common good, and full cooperation with colleagues.
Support one another.

Section 2. …refrain from claiming credit or work not

of his own, and give due credit for the work of others
which he may use.

Section 3. …organize and leave to his successor such

records and other data as are necessary to carry on
the work before leaving.
Section 4. …shall keep confidential information concerning
associates and the school, and shall not divulge to anyone
documents which has not been officially released, or remove
records from files without official permission.

Section 5. seek correctives for what may appear to be an

unprofessional and unethical conduct of any associate.
However, if there is incontrovertible evidence for such
conduct.

Section 6. …submit to the proper authorities any justifiable

criticism against an associate, preferably in writing, without
violating any right of the individual concerned.
Section 7. …may apply for a vacant position
for which he is qualified, provided that he
respects the system of selection on the basis
of merit and competence, provided, further,
that all qualified candidates are given the
opportunity to be considered.
Section 1. …make an honest effort to understand and
support the legitimate policies of the school and the
administration regardless of personal feeling or private
opinion and shall faithfully carry them out.

Section 2. …shall not make any false accusations or charges

against superiors, especially under anonymity. However, if
there are valid charges, he should present such under oath
to competent authority.

Section 3. …transact all official business through channels

except when special conditions warrant a different
procedure..
 GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
(Faculty Club Pres, PTA Pres, SSG Pres and
other)

SUBJECT
COORDINATORS DIVISION
TEACHER PRINCIPAL
(Academic SUPERVISOR
Matters)

DEPED SECRETARY REGIONAL DIVISION

DIRECTOR SUPERINTENDENT
Section 4. …has a right to seek redress against injustice to the
administration and …shall raise grievances within acceptable
democratic processes. …shall avoid jeopardizing the interest
and the welfare of learners whose right to learn must be
respected.

Section 5. …right to invoke the principle that appointments,

promotions, and transfer of teachers are made only on the
basis of merit and needed in the interest of the service.

Section 6. A teacher who accepts a position assumes a

contractual obligation to live up to his contract, assuming full
knowledge of employment terms and conditions.
 FYI
PROCEDURE ON THE APPOINTMENT & PROMOTION OF TEACHING
RELATED, TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING POSITION
1. Publish vacant position.
2. Announce vacant position and post in at least three (3)
conspicuous places in the DepED/schools concerned
for at least 15 working days.
3. List applicants
4. Conduct preliminary evaluation of the qualifications of
all applicants.
5. Prepare selection line-up which shall REFLECT the
QUALIFICATIONS of all applicants.
6. Post in 3 conspicuous places for at least 15 calendar
days. Indicate the date of posting.
7. Notify all applicants for the outcome of the preliminary
evaluation.
8. Submit the selection line-up to the PERSONNEL
SELECTION BOARD for deliberation en banc.
9. Conduct further assessment (written exam, skills test,
interview and others.
10. Submit to the appointing authority the short list of 5
ranking candidates.
 FYI
COMPOSITION OF PERSONNEL SELECTION BOARD
DIVISION LEVEL
Chairperson :Assistant School’s Div. Superintendent
Members :Head of the school where vacancy exists
:Admin. Officer V
:Admin. Officer II (HRMO I)
:President Division DepED Employees
Union/ Faculty Association/ Non-
Teaching Association
SECONDARY LEVEL
Chairperson :Principal/ School Head
Members :Department Head where vacancy exists
:Administrative Officer
:President of Teachers’ Association
NON-TEACHING
Chairperson :Principal/School Head
Members :Two Department Heads
:Admin. Officer
:President of Employees Ass./ Pres. Non-
Teaching Ass.
Section 1. …at all times show professional courtesy,
helpfulness and sympathy towards teachers and other
personnel…

Section 2. …cooperative responsibility to formulate policies or

introduce important changes in the system at all levels.

Section 3. School officials shall encourage and attend the

professional growth of all teachers… recommend them for
promotion, giving them due recognition for meritorious
performance, and allowing them to participate in conferences
in training programs.
QUESTION (Sec. 3)

How shall the state enhance

the right of teachers to
professional advancement?
 ANSWER

By providing trainings and

seminars to teachers; by
providing sabbatical leave to
teachers; by giving
scholarship to teachers.
QUESTION

What are the rights of a Public

School Teacher?
 ANSWER
(Sec.4 R.A. 4670)

1. No Probationary Period preceding regular

appointment;
2. Consent for Transfer;
3. Safeguards in Disciplinary Procedure;
4. Administrative Charges shall be heard by a
Committee;
5.teacher shall NOT be required to render more
than 6 HOURS of ACTUAL classroom teaching;
6. Additional Compensation
7. Salary Grade- gradual progression from a
minimum to a maximum salary by means
of REGULAR INCREMENTS granted
automatically every 3years/ satisfactory/
maximum level within ten years.
 ANSWER
(Sec.4 R.A. 4670)

9. Special hardship Allowance

10. Deductions Prohibited
11. Medical Examinations and Treatment
12. Compensation for Injuries (Physical and
nervous strain is recognized as
COMPENSABLE OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE;
13. Study Leave;
1. Freedom to Organize;
2. Discrimination Against Teachers Prohibited;
50.15 Security of Tenure;
1. Productivity Incentive Benefit;
2. Year End Bonus and Cash Gift (in service as
of 31 of October each year).
QUESTION (Sec. 3)

How will the state insure that

teaching will attract and retain
its rightful share of the best
available talents?
 ANSWER

Through adequate
remuneration and other
means of job satisfaction
and fulfillment.
 ANSWER

Through adequate
remuneration and other
means of job satisfaction
and fulfillment.
Section 4. No school officials shall dismiss or recommend
for dismissal a teacher or other subordinates except for
cause.

Section 5. …public school teachers are employed in

accordance with pertinent civil service rules, ….if
qualified, subsequent permanent tenure, in accordance
with existing laws, and provided, further that they are
duly registered and licensed professional teachers.
Section 1. A teacher has a right and duty to determine the academic
marks and the promotion of learners in the subject they handle.

Section 2. …interest and welfare of learners are of first and foremost

concern, and shall deal justifiably and impartially with each of them.

Section 3. Under no circumstance shall a teacher be prejudiced or

discriminate against a learner.

Section 4. …shall not accept favors or gifts from learners, their

parents or others in their behalf in exchange for requested
concessions, especially if undeserved.
(Anita Salavarria vs. Letran College G.R. No. 110396. September
25, 1998) In one case, the second year students in the Religion
classes requested if they could initiate a special project in lieu of
the submission of the required term papers. The students
explained that the project consisted in collecting contributions
from each of them, which amount shall be used to purchase
religious articles such as Bibles, chalice, crucifix and similar items
to be distributed among the several churches in Metro Manila and
nearby rural areas. Furthermore, they claimed that in doing so, it
would involve them in charity work in connection with their
lesson on "Love of God and Neighbor" and that such activity
would entail a much lesser expense than the completion of the
term papers. After continuous proddings, petitioner was finally
prevailed upon to accede to their proposal
In upholding the dismissal of the teacher from
her employment, the SC said that “xxxx
regardless of who initiated the collections, the
fact that the same was approved or indorsed by
petitioner, made her "in effect the author of the
project.“
It hardly needs reminding that, in view of their
position and responsibility, those in the teaching
profession must demonstrate a scrupulous
regard for rules and policies as befits those who
would be role models for their young charges.
SAMPLE CASE (Sections 2 and 3)

May a principal of a public high

school refuse the enrolment of
a student due to sex, ethnic
grouping, or religion of the
child or his parents?
 ANSWER

No, because such refusal will violate

the right of the student to have quality
education as provided in Sec. 1Art.XIV
of the 1987 Constitution and it will also
violate his constitutional right to be
accorded equal protection of the laws
guaranteed under Sec.1 Art. III of them
1987 Constitution to all Filipino
citizens.
SAMPLE CASE (Sections 2 and 3)

Mr. P of Bulubundkin high

school refused to admit a
student for not being a
resident of the said barangay
where the school is located.
Is it legal?
 ANSWER

No, because such refusal

will violate the
Constitutional right of
the child to have quality
education.
SAMPLE CASE

Mr. L, a principal of Masambahin

elementary school limit the
enrolment to sixty pupils per
classroom and gave priority to
residents over the non-residents of
the barangay.
Is it valid and acceptable?
 ANSWER

Yes, because limiting the

enrolment is in consonance
with DepEd Order No.32 S.2003
provided that the principal will
give assistance to the student
to enrol in nearby school so as
not to deprive him of his right
to education.
Section 5. …shall not accept, directly or indirectly, any
remuneration from tutorials other what is authorized for
such service.

Section 6. …evaluation of the learner must be based on

work only in merit and quality of academic performance.

Section 7. …where mutual attraction and subsequent love

develop between teacher and learner, the teacher shall
exercise utmost professional discretion to avoid scandal,
gossip and preferential treatment of the learner.
Section 8. …shall not inflict corporal punishment on
offending learners nor make deductions from their
scholastic ratings as a punishment for acts which are
clearly not manifestation of poor scholarship.

Section 9. A teacher shall ensure that conditions

contribute to the maximum development of
learners are adequate, and shall extend needed
assistance in preventing or solving learner problems
and difficulties.
"a teacher shall not inflict corporal punishment on offending
learners."
Clearly then, petitioner cannot argue that in punching Bang-on, he
was exercising his right as a teacher in loco parentis to discipline his
student
(Pat-Og Sr vs. CSC G.R. No. 198755 June 5, 2013)

George Bongalon vs. People of the Philippines, GR 169533, March 20,

2013
“Not every instance of the laying of hands on a child constitutes the
crime of child abuse under Section 10 (a) of Republic Act No. 7610. 7

Only when the laying of hands is shown beyond reasonable doubt to

be intended by the accused to debase, degrade or demean the
intrinsic worth and dignity of the child as a human being should it be
punished as child abuse. Otherwise, it is punished under the Revised
Penal Code.”
Section 1. …establish and maintain cordial relations with
parents, and shall conduct himself to merit their confidence and
respect.

Section 2. …shall inform parents, through proper authorities, of

the progress and deficiencies of learner under him, exercising
utmost candor and tact in pointing out the learner's
deficiencies…

Section 3. A teacher shall hear parent complaints with sympathy

and understanding, and shall discourage unfair criticism.
Section 1. A teacher has the right to
engage, directly or indirectly, in
legitimate income generation;
provided that it does not relate to or
adversely affect his work as a teacher.

Section 2. …maintain a good

reputation with respect to the
financial matters such as in the
settlement of his debts and loans in
arranging satisfactorily his private
financial affairs.
“Borrowing money is neither
dishonest, nor immoral, nor illegal,
much less criminal. (Medical Doctors,
Inc. [Makati Medical Center] v. NLRC,
136 SCRA 1 [1985]) However, said act
becomes a serious misconduct that
may justly be asserted as a ground for
dismissal when reprehensible
behavior such as the use of a trust
relationship as a leverage for
borrowing money is involved.”
Section 3. No teacher shall act, directly or indirectly, as
agent of, or be financially interested in, any commercial
venture which furnish textbooks and other school
commodities in the purchase and disposal of which he
can exercise official influence, except only when his
assignment is inherently, related to such purchase and
disposal; provided they shall be in accordance with the
existing regulations; provided, further, that members of
duly recognized teachers cooperatives may participate in
the distribution and sale of such commodities.
Pia vs. Gervacio G.R. No. 172334
When the teacher sells “Organization Development
Research Papers” at a price of P120.00 per copy, in
violation of Section 3, Article X of the Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers, which reads: No teacher shall
act, directly or indirectly, as agents of, or be financially
interested in any commercial venture, the business of
which is to furnish textbooks and other printed matter,
stationery, athletic goods, school uniforms, and other
materials xx Selling of books directly to students is
immoral because of the teacher’s moral ascendancy
over the students, that the book is overpriced, and that
refusal may result to failure in the subject.
Section 1. …highest obligation to live with dignity in all places at
all times.
Section 2. …self-respect and self-discipline as the principle of
personal behavior in all relationships with others
and in all situations.
Section 3. …maintain at all times a dignified personality which
could serve as a model worthy of emulation by
learners, peers and all others.
Section 4. …always recognize the Almighty God as guide of his
own destiny and of the destinies of men and
nations.
On Sec 2 (Colegio de San Juan De Letran-Calamba vs. Belen Villas; G.R. No. 137795; March
26, 2003)

“ Although we give credence to petitioner’s argument that a private high school teacher still
has work at the end of the schoolyear – to assist in the graduation preparations – and in the
beginning of the school year – to assist in the enrollment – such tasks cannot be considered
a teacher’s main duties, the failure to perform which would be tantamount to dereliction of
duty or abandonment.”

“Misconduct is improper or wrongful conduct. It is the transgression of some established

and definite rule of action, a forbidden act, a dereliction of duty, willful in character, and
implies wrongful intent and not mere error of judgment. Under Article 282 of the Labor
Code, the misconduct, to be a just cause for termination, must be serious. This implies that
it must be of such grave and aggravated character and not merely trivial or unimportant.
Examples of serious misconduct justifying termination, as held in some of our decisions,
include: sexual harassment xxxxxxxx”
On Sec 3 Teachers should avoid being, “Notoriously
undesirable”
This used to be a ground for termination of employment
under the Manual of Regulations but was removed when it
was revised in 2010.
But case law still holds that being notoriously undesirable
is a ground for termination of employment under Serious
Misconduct under the Labor Code.
San Luis vs. CA [G.R. No. L-80160 June 26, 1989]
"the test of being notoriously undesirable is two-fold:
1. whether it is common knowledge or generally known as
universally believed to be true or manifest to the world
that petitioner committed the acts imputed against him,
2. 2. and whether he had contracted the habit for any of
the enumerated misdemeanors".
Section 1. Any violation of any provision of this code shall
be sufficient ground for the imposition against the erring
teacher of the disciplinary action consisting of revocation
of his Certification of Registration and License as a
Professional Teacher, suspension from the practice of
teaching profession, or reprimand or cancellation of his
temporary/special permit under causes specified in Sec.
23, Article III or R.A. No. 7836, and under Rule 31, Article
VIII, of the Rules and Regulations Implementing R.A.
7836.
Section 1. This Code shall take effect upon
approval by the Professional Regulation
Commission and after sixty (60) days following
its publication in the Official Gazette or any
newspaper of general circulation, whichever is
earlier.
• Books
• Duka, Cecilio D. (2008). The Law and the Teaching Profession in the Philippines, C & E
Publishing
• Civil Service Commission (2007). Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V of Executive
Order No.292 and Other Pertinent Civil Service Laws, Civil Service.
• Salandanan, Gloria G. (2001). Teacher Education Journal, Katha Publishing, Inc.
• Sunga, Franklin C.,(2010). Q&A On Governance for Basic Education and Regulations
Governing Public Schools

• Website
• http://eduphil.org/code-of-ethics-for-teachers-in-the-philippines.html
• http://saicebrian.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/code-of-ethics-for-professional-
teachers/

• SELECTED READING MATERIAL

• Civil Service Commission (2001). Manual on Definitions of Administrative Offenses in
the Civil Service
Finally, lest we forget,
Section 1. A teacher is, above all, a human
being endowed with life for which it is the
highest obligation to live with dignity at all
times whether in school, in the home, or
elsewhere.
As human beings, teachers are not infallible,
they also commit mistakes. But what is
important is how we strive every day to be
the better version of ourselves as we
continue with our mission, with our
communion.