How should public officials approach outside employment according to R.A. No. 6713?

Public officials are required to ensure that their outside employment does not interfere with their official duties as outlined in R.A. No. 6713. This means that when engaging in additional work or professional activities outside their primary responsibilities, officials should always prioritize their commitments to their government roles. The Code of Conduct emphasizes the importance of fulfilling governmental obligations, maintaining public trust, and avoiding any potential conflicts of interest that could arise from outside employment. Such a stance promotes accountability and ensures that public officials remain focused on serving the public effectively without distractions from external engagements.

The other options do not align with the principles outlined in the Code. For instance, prioritizing outside employment over official duties would compromise the primary responsibilities of public service. Encouraging outside work to promote a work-life balance may be beneficial in a general sense, but it could conflict with the fundamental requirement that official duties remain the foremost priority. Lastly, suggesting that outside employment could enhance influence in governance could potentially lead to unethical practices and conflicts of interest, which the Code aims to prevent.