The purpose and nature of public office is for the common good and not for profit, honor, or private interest.

The basic idea of government in the Philippines is that of a monarchial government the officers being mere agents and not rulers of the people… where every officer accepts office pursuant to the provisions of law and holds the office as a trust for the people whom he represents.

An example of the creation of a public office by valid statutory enactment is the Davide Commission.

A public officer is an officer, required by law to be elected or appointed, who has a designation or title by law, and who exercises functions concerning the public, assigned to him by law.

The most important characteristic which distinguishes an office from an employment is that the creation and conferring of an office involves a delegation to the individual of some of the sovereign functions of government, to be exercised by him for the benefit of the public.

A public office creates a contractual relation between the holder and the public.

A public officer is classified into executive and legislative only.

A de facto officer is one who has a lawful right to the office in all respects, but who has neither been ousted from it or who has never actually taken possession of it.

A mayor who has been elected by the people and sworn into office is a de jure officer.

A de facto officer is one who is in possession of an office and who openly exercises its functions under color of an appointment or election, even though such appointment or election may be irregular.

Regular appointment is one made by the President while Congress is not in session, and takes effect only after confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.

The regular appointment is intended to prevent interruptions in vital government services that would otherwise result from prolonged vacancies in government offices.

Permanent appointments are given to persons without such eligibility, revocable at will and without the necessity of just cause or a valid investigation.

Disqualifications of public officers may be prescribed by the Constitution or by statute.

The purpose of the prohibition of forbidden offices is to prevent him from owing loyalty to another branch of the government, to the detriment of the independence of the legislature and the doctrine of separation of powers.

An impeachment complaint may be filed against the President during his tenure.

A member of Congress is privileged from arrest while Congress is in session in criminal offenses only not punishable by more than 6 years imprisonment.

Privilege of speech and debate enables the legislator to express views bearing upon the public interest without fear of accountability outside the halls of the legislature.

The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees is a set of ethical standards for all who serve in the government.