By Genalyn Kabiling  Policemen and other public servants should turn down excessive gifts such as a house and lot from donors especially if these are given in exchange for a favor, Malacañang said Monday. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo asserted that government personnel could only accept unsolicited gifts of small value as token of gratitude and given expecting nothing in return. "As a general rule hindi dapat tumatanggap. Pero kung halimbawa man na hindi naman humingi, eh out of gratitude pinadalhan ka ng manok. O kaya ng pork and beans ano ba naman 'yun. Hanggang doon lang ," he said in an interview with reporters at the Palace. "Dapat hindi nila tatanggapin kung masyado naman malaki ,” he added. Asked about the allowable amount of an unsolicited gift, Panelo said the anti-graft law states such token must be of nominal or insignificant value. He said while law does not specify the exact amount, the gift must not be "too excessive." Panelo also urged public servants to exercise discretion about accepting unsolicited gifts especially from the rich. He said the ultimate test is the gift must be not be given in anticipation or in exchange of a favor from a government official. "Kung may birthday ka, 'yung regalo na pambirthday, regalo na pang wedding, ganun lang. Alam na natin yun ," he added. Asked if some gives a public servant a house and lot as birthday present, Panelo: "Malaki naman masyado ‘yun house and lot ." Panelo however pointed out that a billionaire might not consider some gifts such as a house as lavish. "Now kung bilyonaryo ang magbibigay sa iyo, walang ano sa kanya 'yun napakaliit na bagay ‘yan . Pero what is important is hindi 'yun binigay in anticipation of a favor coming from the recipient or in exchange of a favor from that recipient who is a police officer," he said. "Kung masyadong malaki, nakakahiyang tumanggap din. Hindi mo dapat tinatanggap ," he added. President Duterte earlier saw nothing irregular with policemen accepting gifts from people grateful of their service. The President added he does not consider such gift-giving as a form of bribery. Duterte's latest comment drew criticisms from Vice President Leni Robredo and some politicians who were concerned such gift-giving might breed corruption in the police. Panelo, however, defended the President from the alleged “ rroneous" remarks of some groups, saying public servants may accept gifts or tokens of gratitude as long as these are unsolicited presents of small value given without expecting anything in return. He said such gifts of insignificant value given as a mere ordinary token of gratitude or friendship according to local customs or usage are exempted from the provisions of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Similar presents are also an exemption under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, he added. Panelo said while giving small tokens of gratitude is exempted from the anti-graft law, President Duterte will not tolerate bribery. "Ang ayaw ni Presidente at ayaw ng batas ay ginagawa mong consderation yun, hindi ka magtatrabaho ng trabaho mo hangga’t… Yun nga ang corruption dun eh. Yung bribery, yung padulas. Yun ang hate na hate ni Presidente ," he said. "Basta hindi pwede ang corruption, hindi pwede ang padulas. Hindi pupwedeng kaya ka gagawa ng trabaho mo dahil may inaasahan kang darating sayo. O kaya ka lang gumagalaw dahil binigyan ka, yan ang bawal, yan ang klaro ," he said.