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General Information lesson

R.A. 6713: The Eight Norms, the Duties and Prohibited Acts

Learn the key terms, the eight norms by their cue words, the five duties with their deadlines, and what officials may never do, including the gift rules.

30 min read · Professional and Sub-Professional

What it is

R.A. 6713 is the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for everyone working in government, approved in 1989. It tells everyone who works in government how to behave. It has four parts that the exam asks about most:

  • Definitions (Sec. 3): what the law means by family, relatives, gift, divestment and other words.
  • Norms of conduct (Sec. 4): eight standards of good behavior.
  • Duties (Sec. 5): five specific tasks, some with deadlines.
  • Prohibited acts (Sec. 7): things an official must never do, including taking gifts.

The lesson after this one (L37) covers the SALN, divestment deadlines and penalties.

Why it matters on the exam

The General Information part of the exam includes R.A. 6713, and the practice worksheets ask about it through short scenarios: an employee does something, and you name the norm, duty or prohibited act. If you know the cue words, these items take seconds.

At work, this law is the everyday rulebook of every government employee, from a barangay clerk to a department secretary. You will use it on the job.

Rule 1 of 8What R.A. 6713 is and what it wants
R.A. 6713 (1989) is the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards that covers all government officials and employees. Its policy: a high standard of ethics; officials who are accountable, responsible, honest, competent and loyal; who act with patriotism and justice; who live modestly; and who put public interest above personal interest.
Worked example 1 of 4Which norm? Two close choices
A records officer reminds her staff that their loyalty is to the Republic and its laws, not to any politician or party, and that the military must always answer to civilian authority. Which norm of conduct does she show most clearly?
  1. Political neutrality
  2. Commitment to democracy
  3. Professionalism
  4. Responsiveness to the public
  5. Justness and sincerity
Step 1 · What kind of item?A behavior is described and the choices are norms, so this is a "which norm?" item (V1).
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In the full lesson

  • How to recognize it on the test
  • What to look for (5 checks)
  • All 8 rules and tools
  • 4 worked examples, every step explained
  • 6 common mistakes and how to fix them
  • 3 exam techniques
  • Remember: 5 key points
  • Practice questions with explanations, and your progress saved
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More General Information lessons

ReviewTayo has 47 lessons that follow the official scope of the exam, each with rules, worked examples, common mistakes and practice. Open one and read the first part.

The Constitution by the Numbers: Qualifications and Terms35 min · previewVotes That Matter: Majorities and Thresholds30 min · previewHow Things Happen: Bills, Succession, Martial Law, Impeachment, Amendments35 min · previewThe Bill of Rights in Plain Words30 min · previewConstitutional Commissions, Local Government, Economy and Social Justice35 min · previewR.A. 6713: SALN, Divestment and Penalties25 min · previewPeace and Human Rights30 min · previewEnvironmental Laws at a Glance35 min · previewWhat Changed: Updated Laws and Institutions20 min · preview
Browse all 47 lessonsSee full access
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