FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila– The Philippine Army celebrates the 27th Founding Anniversary of Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) and the 28th Armed Forces of the Philippines Code of Ethics Day during the flag raising ceremony held here today, October 22, 2018.
The theme of this year’s celebration of OESPA is “Gawin ang Tama sa Isip at Gawa.” It aims to highlight the significant role of the office in fostering the ethical, legal, and moral norms to the members of the Army which are fundamental practices to ensure the delivery of honest and excellent service to the people.
During the flag raising ceremony, the personnel also renewed their Oath of Adherence to the AFP Code of Ethics, which was simultaneously held all over the country. The activity is a testament to the AFP’s continuing effort to promote the practice of highest ethical standards in the service with strong sense of public accountability and commitment.
In behalf of the AFP Chief of Staff, Major General Robert M. Arevalo delivered the message to the troops. “The code of ethics veers us away from temptations by leading us to the honorable path of service. It sets the ethical standards of how we as officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees should do our jobs. Thus, we should personify adherence to the oath and never shall allow ourselves to be bad examples or models of unethical practices,” Maj. Gen. Arevalo quoted.
Major General Macairog S. Alberto, the new Army Chief, for his part said, “as we renew our vow, let us allow ourselves to be consumed by these principles and let them be part of ourselves, reflective in our thoughts and actions. They will be our strength in keeping the confidence of our people in continuously carrying their dreams and aspiration of peace, stability, and progress.”
Soldiers from various Philippine Army Major Units were also given recognition for their simple acts that embodied the values promulgated by the Gawin ang Tama (GAT) Movement. Subsequently, mounting of GAT awardees tarp was held along Major General Adalem Street completed with the signing of the GAT wall.
The Gawin ang Tama Movement is a non-sectarian and non-political movement that promotes the values of honesty, integrity, and hard work within the military organization founded by Ms. Heidi Sison.
Maj. Gen. Alberto together with Ms. Sison, led the signing of the wall of commitment to show the Army’s support to the values of the foundation and for the continuing partnership.
The Philippine Army, as part of its transformation roadmap is serious in its campaign to promote moral work ethic among its personnel.#