What must public officials avoid regarding their position and personal advantage?

Public officials are expected to maintain a high standard of integrity and ethical conduct in their roles. This includes the obligation to avoid using their official position for personal gain or to provide improper advantages to themselves or others. By ensuring that their actions are free from conflicts of interest and misuse of authority, public officials uphold the trust placed in them by the public, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of public service.

The selection of options highlights the need for public officials to act impartially and to prioritize the interests of the public over personal benefits. When officials leverage their position for personal advantage, it undermines public confidence and the overall effectiveness of governance. This principle is emphasized in R.A. No. 6713, which explicitly mandates that public officials must not engage in practices that exploit their roles for unauthorized benefit.

The focus on avoiding personal gain ensures that public resources are used appropriately and that all citizens are treated fairly and equitably. It assists in fostering a culture of accountability within public service, ensuring that officials do not exploit their authority and instead serve the public interest.