Integrity in Public Service: A Guide to Ethical Conduct
Integrity in Public Service
Mr. Carlos Carrillo Salvador
Integrity is the capacity to act honestly and with moral principle. Humans constantly strive for positive values and attitudes, vehemently seeking efficiency, quality, and perfection. The whole person seeks fulfillment in three dimensions: upwards (relationship with God), horizontally (with other humans and nature), and downwards (acceptance of divine and natural laws).
Ms. Cordero Diego Barriga
Integrity is not rare; it’s a philosophy practiced by ordinary people. It must be rescued from oblivion. Public opinion should not prejudge everyone for the mistakes of a few. Integrity means wholeness. Humans are a blend of the spiritual and material. Morally, integrity is incorruptible ethics; maintaining our values despite external pressures. Most people understand basic right and wrong. Religions condemn stealing, lying, murder, and depravity. Integrity is a virtue accessible to all. It is the elite who often stray from this path, tempted by power, ambition, and greed. Our position in society tests our integrity. Public authority is a concession from the community, not a personal possession. Public servants work for the people, not for higher authorities or political parties. Integrity demands resisting bribes and undeserved privileges. In a commodified world, integrity is good business. Fair prices and quality products build trust and a strong brand. The Calvinist work ethic and the moral values of Japan and Korea have contributed to their international market success.
What does integrity mean in our work?
- Believe in the good faith of those we oversee.
- When we find impropriety, reflect on our own actions.
- If we find clear evidence of wrongdoing, take corrective measures and report it to the authorities.
- Effective oversight requires broad knowledge. Study and educate yourself.
- Many customer errors stem from ignorance of rules. Share your knowledge generously.
- Support the ability of those we oversee to defend themselves.
- Loyalty means adhering to ethical and legal rules.
- Don’t be prejudiced. Embrace reason and objectivity.
- Avoid ostentatious publicity, which can serve outside interests.
- Maintain a respectable private life. Our personal conduct reflects on our professional authority.
- Maintain a neat appearance and use clear, precise language.
- Don’t crave praise or fear criticism. Focus on consistent, effective work.
- Uphold and enforce the law, prioritizing the common good.
- Don’t exploit knowledge gained in public service for private gain. Do not serve those who have harmed the state.
- Public service requires vocation, renunciation, discipline, and an austere life.
Integrity, like other virtues and vices, can become a habit. It’s a commitment to ourselves and to society.
Dr. Rubén Darío Moreno Bravo
Integrity is an innate attribute closely linked to goodness, truth, simplicity, and humility. Education, family, and environment contribute to developing an integrated personality. Integrity must be practiced daily, starting at home with love, obedience, respect, and honesty. At school, integrity manifests in fulfilling duties and maintaining honesty. In public service, integrity is expressed in interactions with superiors, subordinates, coworkers, and the public. It involves respect, loyalty, honesty, fairness, and dedication to duty. Integrity demands reporting corruption and refusing bribes or favors. Ideally, public servants should be chosen based on merit, capacity, and integrity.
Diego Andrade Nicolás Jijón
Integrity means adhering to ethical principles. Public officials should embody these principles, along with responsibility, objectivity, composure, diligence, timeliness, determination, and courage. These qualities, combined with skills and training, enhance public perception of public institutions.
Dr. Walter Gómez Muñoz
Integrity means honesty and incorruptibility. For a better future, we must work towards societal integrity, seeking solutions and practicing accountability and honesty. To achieve lasting integrity, we must return to the values instilled in us during childhood, differentiating between good and evil, and contributing to the nation’s betterment.
Dr. Luis Alberto Espinoza Sotomayor
Integrity is the accumulation of honest, supportive, and reciprocal actions in professional practice. Our work activities demonstrate our integrity.
Mr. Modesto Santos Villacres
Guidelines for Humane Conduct: Believe in yourself. Be enterprising and determined. Fulfill your commitments. Face your problems. Be positive and optimistic. Be human. Be enthusiastic. Be disciplined and creative. Love your work. Surround yourself with efficient staff. Love all and prove it. Celebrate the virtues of others. Reward successes, minimize errors. Learn to communicate. Work as a team. Never stop learning. Wisdom is your best weapon. If you are virtuous, you will be full. Integrity is the best victory.
Bolívar Bolaños Garaicoa – Superintendency of Companies
Integrity is a continuous process of teaching and learning, starting in the family. It is honesty and integrity, a gift received at home and nurtured in educational institutions. An honest person is formed in the heart. Integrity involves prudence, fidelity, and obedience, practiced with honesty. Prudence is unwavering attachment to the institution, loyalty is fulfilling commitments, and obedience is complying with laws and regulations.
Marcelo Carrera Andrade
A person of integrity possesses attributes, merit, ability, training, and personality that earn them a respectable position in society. Moral education begins in early childhood, teaching respect and responsibility. Integrity is based on trust and respect between children and parents.
Ab. Marcia Morales-Vasquez – Superintendency of Companies
A person of integrity possesses qualities that protect their good name and honor. Integrity involves the knowledge and practice of principles and values like loyalty, honesty, morality, and good faith. It motivates us to demand that society and its authorities take action to recover lost values.
Dr. Marco Grijalva Garzón
Integrity is a primary value for officials who evaluate the conduct of other public officials. It requires professional investigation to find evidence of wrongdoing and establish appropriate sanctions.