Profile of the Lifestyle of Profile of the Lifestyle of Female Public Female Public

Executives in Regional Executives in Regional Offices in Cebu CityOffices in Cebu City

DefinitionDefinition ““LifestyleLifestyle is a person’s pattern of is a person’s pattern of

living as expressed in his or her living as expressed in his or her activities, interests and opinions”activities, interests and opinions” ( (www.prenhall.com,2004www.prenhall.com,2004). ).

On a more behavioral tone, On a more behavioral tone, lifestylelifestyle is is “how people live, how they spend “how people live, how they spend their money, and how they allocate their money, and how they allocate their time. It is concerned with their time. It is concerned with consumers’ overt actions and consumers’ overt actions and behavior”behavior”

Theoretical FrameworkTheoretical Framework

The American Society for Public The American Society for Public Administration exists to advance the Administration exists to advance the science, processes, and art of public science, processes, and art of public administration. The Society affirms administration. The Society affirms its responsibility to develop the spirit its responsibility to develop the spirit of professionalism within its of professionalism within its membership, and to increase public membership, and to increase public awareness of moral standards in awareness of moral standards in public service by its example. To this public service by its example. To this end the members of the Society, end the members of the Society, commit themselves to the following commit themselves to the following principles (ASPA.com, 2004): principles (ASPA.com, 2004):

(1) service to the public is beyond service; (1) service to the public is beyond service; (2) the people are sovereign and those in (2) the people are sovereign and those in

public;public; (3) laws govern all actions of the public (3) laws govern all actions of the public

service. Where laws or regulations are service. Where laws or regulations are ambiguous, leave discretion, or require ambiguous, leave discretion, or require change, we will seek to serve the best change, we will seek to serve the best interests of the public; interests of the public;

(4) efficient and effective management is basic (4) efficient and effective management is basic to public administration. Subversion through to public administration. Subversion through misuse of influence, fraud, waste, or abuse is misuse of influence, fraud, waste, or abuse is intolerable. Employees who responsibly call intolerable. Employees who responsibly call attention to wrongdoing will be encouraged; attention to wrongdoing will be encouraged;

(5) the merit system, equal opportunity, and (5) the merit system, equal opportunity, and affirmative action principles will be supported, affirmative action principles will be supported, implemented, and promoted; implemented, and promoted;

(6) safeguarding the public trust is paramount. (6) safeguarding the public trust is paramount. Conflicts of interest, bribes, gifts, of favors that Conflicts of interest, bribes, gifts, of favors that subordinate public positions to private gains are subordinate public positions to private gains are unacceptable; unacceptable;

(7) service to the public creates demands for (7) service to the public creates demands for special sensitivity to the qualities of justice, special sensitivity to the qualities of justice, courage, honesty, equity, competence and courage, honesty, equity, competence and compassion. We esteem these qualities, and we compassion. We esteem these qualities, and we will actively promote them; will actively promote them;

(8) conscience performs a critical role in (8) conscience performs a critical role in choosing among courses of action. It takes into choosing among courses of action. It takes into account the moral ambiguities of life, and the account the moral ambiguities of life, and the necessity to examine value priorities: good ends necessity to examine value priorities: good ends never justify immoral means; and never justify immoral means; and

(9) public administrators are not engaged merely (9) public administrators are not engaged merely in preventing wrong, but in pursuing right in preventing wrong, but in pursuing right through timely and energetic execution of their through timely and energetic execution of their responsibilities.responsibilities.

Similarly, Philippine government is not remiss Similarly, Philippine government is not remiss in installing safeguard mechanisms to protect in installing safeguard mechanisms to protect the government’s coffer and resources. These the government’s coffer and resources. These mechanisms include pertinent laws and mechanisms include pertinent laws and issuance such as: issuance such as:

R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; Practices Act;

Executive Order No. 317 presenting a Code of Executive Order No. 317 presenting a Code of Conduct for Relatives and Close Relations of Conduct for Relatives and Close Relations of the President, Vice President and Members of the President, Vice President and Members of Cabinet; the Ombudsman Act of 1989; Cabinet; the Ombudsman Act of 1989;

R.A. 6713 known as the Code of Conduct and R.A. 6713 known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officers and Ethical Standards for Public Officers and Employees, Employees,

Republic Act No 6713 or the Code of Ethics for Republic Act No 6713 or the Code of Ethics for Government Officials and Employees upholds Government Officials and Employees upholds the time-honored principle of public office being the time-honored principle of public office being a public trust, granting incentives and rewards a public trust, granting incentives and rewards for exemplary service, enumerating prohibited for exemplary service, enumerating prohibited acts and transactions and providing penalties acts and transactions and providing penalties for violations thereof and for other purposes. for violations thereof and for other purposes.

Sec. 4. Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Sec. 4. Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees.Employees.

Every public official and employee shall Every public official and employee shall observe the following as standards of observe the following as standards of personal conduct in the discharge and personal conduct in the discharge and execution of official duties: execution of official duties:

Commitment to public Commitment to public interestinterest

ProfessionalismProfessionalism Justness and sincerityJustness and sincerity Political neutralityPolitical neutrality Responsiveness to the Responsiveness to the

publicpublic Nationalism and patriotismNationalism and patriotism Commitment to democracyCommitment to democracy Simple livingSimple living

Extravagant lifestyles are one of Extravagant lifestyles are one of the most obvious indicators of the most obvious indicators of corruption and among the corruption and among the easiest to document. They are easiest to document. They are also a violation of the law, if an also a violation of the law, if an official is unable to prove where official is unable to prove where she or he got the wherewithal to she or he got the wherewithal to support such a lifestyle.support such a lifestyle.

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019) says that a Act (Republic Act 3019) says that a public official can be dismissed if he or public official can be dismissed if he or she "has been found to have acquired she "has been found to have acquired during his incumbency, whether in his during his incumbency, whether in his name or in the name of other persons, name or in the name of other persons, an amount of property and/or money an amount of property and/or money manifestly out of proportion to his manifestly out of proportion to his salary and to his other lawful income." salary and to his other lawful income."

Among the things mentioned in R.A. Among the things mentioned in R.A. 3019 as indicators of unexplained 3019 as indicators of unexplained wealth are unexplained bank deposits, wealth are unexplained bank deposits, “manifestly excessive expenditures,” “manifestly excessive expenditures,” and ostentatious display of wealth, and ostentatious display of wealth, including frequent travel abroad. including frequent travel abroad.

PCIJ suggest documents to look for in PCIJ suggest documents to look for in “backgrounding” government officials. These are:“backgrounding” government officials. These are:

(1) official biodata, (1) official biodata, (2) newspapers, magazines, and newsletters,(2) newspapers, magazines, and newsletters, (3) biographies, family histories, genealogies, and (3) biographies, family histories, genealogies, and

Who's Who Directories yearbooks, Who's Who Directories yearbooks, (4) listings of trade and professional organizations, (4) listings of trade and professional organizations, (5) statements of assets, (5) statements of assets, (6) land records, (6) land records, (7) corporate records, (7) corporate records, (8) vehicle registration records, (8) vehicle registration records, (9) licenses and permits (for firearms, business, (9) licenses and permits (for firearms, business,

etc.),etc.), (10) school records, civil registry records (birth, (10) school records, civil registry records (birth,

marriage, etc.), marriage, etc.), (11) voter registration records, (11) voter registration records, (12) record of campaign expenditures, (12) record of campaign expenditures, (13) speeches and papers, and (13) speeches and papers, and (14) immigration (arrival and departure) records (14) immigration (arrival and departure) records

SimpleLivingSimpleLiving

Justness&

Sincerity

Justness&

Sincerity

ProfessionalismProfessionalism

Nationalism&

Patriotism

Nationalism&

Patriotism

PoliticalNeutrality

PoliticalNeutrality

Responsiveness

to thePublic

Responsiveness

to thePublic

Commitment to

Democracy

Commitment to

Democracy

Commitmentto PublicInterest

Commitmentto PublicInterest

R.A. 6713Norms of

Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

R.A. 6713Norms of

Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

Theoretical Framework

Profile on the Lifestyle of Female Public

Executives in Cebu City

Income from salary and benefitsOther sources of incomeTrust FundsReal PropertiesOther Properties OwnedAccounts and DepositsCars and other vehiclesSets of JewelryShopping and Marketing habitsPersonal and Beauty Care HabitsRecreational ActivitiesVacation PreferencesLoans and CreditOther Possessions

SURVEY

Using the

Philippine Center forInvestigativ

e Journalism

(PCIJ)

Lifestyle

Check

Guide

Questions

RECOMMENDATIONS

Conceptual Framework

Statement of the ProblemStatement of the Problem

This study aims to assess the profile This study aims to assess the profile of the lifestyle of public female of the lifestyle of public female executives of the regional offices in executives of the regional offices in Cebu City for CY 2004 so that Cebu City for CY 2004 so that appropriate recommendations can appropriate recommendations can be made.be made.

Specifically, the study attempted to Specifically, the study attempted to answer the following questions:answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the 1. What is the profile of the female public executives of female public executives of the different regional offices in the different regional offices in Cebu City as to:Cebu City as to:

1.1 Income from salary and benefits1.1 Income from salary and benefits1.2 Other sources of income1.2 Other sources of income1.3 Trust Funds1.3 Trust Funds1.4 Real Properties1.4 Real Properties1.5 Other Properties Owned1.5 Other Properties Owned1.6 Accounts and Deposits1.6 Accounts and Deposits1.7 Cars and other vehicles1.7 Cars and other vehicles1.8 Sets of Jewelry1.8 Sets of Jewelry1.9 Shopping and Marketing Habits1.9 Shopping and Marketing Habits1.10 Personal and Beauty Care Habits1.10 Personal and Beauty Care Habits1.11 Recreational Activities1.11 Recreational Activities1.12 Vacation Preferences1.12 Vacation Preferences1.13 Loans and Credit1.13 Loans and Credit1.14 Other Possessions1.14 Other Possessions

2. What are the implications that 2. What are the implications that can be derived from getting can be derived from getting better and deeper insights into better and deeper insights into the lifestyle of female public the lifestyle of female public executives? executives?

3. What recommendations can 3. What recommendations can be made to better improve the be made to better improve the PCIJ lifestyle check instrument?PCIJ lifestyle check instrument?

Importance of the StudyImportance of the Study The study is significantly important to The study is significantly important to

individuals and entities who are concerned individuals and entities who are concerned with governance and citizens who are mindful with governance and citizens who are mindful of the everyday affairs and future of this of the everyday affairs and future of this nation. nation.

Specifically, this study will benefit the following:Specifically, this study will benefit the following:1. Civil Service Commission1. Civil Service Commission. . 2. Philippine Center for Investigative 2. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Journalism (PCIJ)(PCIJ) 3. Department of Interior and Local 3. Department of Interior and Local GovernmentGovernment 4. Lifestyle Check Coalition/Civil Society4. Lifestyle Check Coalition/Civil Society 5. Church5. Church 6. Local Government Units6. Local Government Units 7. Academe7. Academe 8. Community8. Community

MethodologyMethodology The study is a descriptive normative type of The study is a descriptive normative type of

research which is used to explore how research which is used to explore how female public executives in regional offices female public executives in regional offices in Cebu City conduct their daily personal in Cebu City conduct their daily personal and professional lives. and professional lives.

There were two sets of lifestyle check There were two sets of lifestyle check survey questionnaire. The first set is a survey questionnaire. The first set is a self-administered type of survey self-administered type of survey questionnaires intended to be questionnaires intended to be accomplished by the female public accomplished by the female public executives themselves. The second set is executives themselves. The second set is also a self-administered survey also a self-administered survey questionnaire for the staff of the female questionnaire for the staff of the female public executive to accomplish. The public executive to accomplish. The reason for involving the staff is for reason for involving the staff is for validation and cross-checking purposed.validation and cross-checking purposed.

The questionnaires were The questionnaires were distributed to the different distributed to the different regional offices in Cebu City regional offices in Cebu City headed or managed by female headed or managed by female public executives and will be public executives and will be retrieved according to the retrieved according to the convenient time of the convenient time of the respondents. The data will be respondents. The data will be collated and interpreted using collated and interpreted using simple statistical tools.simple statistical tools.

Research EnvironmentResearch Environment

The environment of this study is The environment of this study is the City of Cebu where most of the City of Cebu where most of the regional offices of national the regional offices of national government agencies are government agencies are located. located.

Research SubjectResearch Subject

Because of the sensitive nature of this Because of the sensitive nature of this research and upholding the principle of research and upholding the principle of confidentiality, the researchers took great confidentiality, the researchers took great pains in withholding the identity of the persons pains in withholding the identity of the persons who accomplished the survey forms including who accomplished the survey forms including naming the respective offices where they are naming the respective offices where they are connected. connected.

The total number of respondents surveyed The total number of respondents surveyed was fifty-five (55). Of the 55, thirteen (13) was fifty-five (55). Of the 55, thirteen (13) were female public executives while forty-two were female public executives while forty-two (42) were staff. They were chosen because (42) were staff. They were chosen because of their experiences and reliability in of their experiences and reliability in answering the questionnaires. answering the questionnaires.

Respondents of the StudyRespondents of the Study

Respondents Frequency Percentage

Regional Director 10 19%

Assistant Regional Director

3 5%

Staff/employee 42 76%

TOTAL 55 100%

Data Gathering ProcedureData Gathering Procedure

The data gathering procedure The data gathering procedure consisted of deliberate and consisted of deliberate and coordinated steps that maximized coordinated steps that maximized time and efforts without sacrificing time and efforts without sacrificing validity and reliability of data validity and reliability of data gathered. Since the questionnaire gathered. Since the questionnaire was based on the recommended was based on the recommended guide being used by the PCIJ, there guide being used by the PCIJ, there was not need of conducting a pre-was not need of conducting a pre-test. The researchers assumed that test. The researchers assumed that the questionnaire had undergone the questionnaire had undergone validation and appropriate validation and appropriate modifications. modifications.

The data-gathering steps The data-gathering steps included the following:included the following: (1) acquisition of the masterlist of female (1) acquisition of the masterlist of female

public executives of regional offices in public executives of regional offices in Cebu City from the Civil Service Cebu City from the Civil Service Commission; Commission;

(2) sending of communications to identified (2) sending of communications to identified respondents regarding the research; respondents regarding the research;

(3) distribution of survey questionnaires to (3) distribution of survey questionnaires to the female public executives and their staff; the female public executives and their staff;

(4) retrieval of questionnaires and (4) retrieval of questionnaires and subjecting them to quality assurance subjecting them to quality assurance measures; measures;

(5) analysis and Interpretation of data.(5) analysis and Interpretation of data.

Data AnalysisData Analysis

Data were analyzed using the Simple Data were analyzed using the Simple Percentage methodology. The Percentage methodology. The formula is:formula is:

P = ____ x 100P = ____ x 100

nnWhere:Where:

P = is the percentageP = is the percentage = is the frequency of = is the frequency of responsesresponsesn = is the number of respondentsn = is the number of respondents

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATAINTERPRETATION OF DATA

13.2 % (7)

13.2 % (7)

45.3% (24)

20.8 % (11)

7.5 % (6)

0.0

50-59 40-49 30-39 20-29 10-29 less than 10

Salary (in thousands)

P E R C E N T A G E

Of E X E C U T I V E s

Income of Female Public Executives

Income of Female Public Executives Income of Female Public Executives illustrates that illustrates that 45.3%45.3% or majorityor majority of the of the female public executives were receiving a female public executives were receiving a salary range of from thirty thousand to thirty-salary range of from thirty thousand to thirty-nine thousand (P30,000 - P39,000) per nine thousand (P30,000 - P39,000) per month. This was consistent with the month. This was consistent with the average salaries being received by middle average salaries being received by middle management executives in government management executives in government service.service.

The female public executives’ income is way The female public executives’ income is way above the poverty line of Region VII which is above the poverty line of Region VII which is P11,900.00 (Y2003) which means that they P11,900.00 (Y2003) which means that they have relatively high purchasing power have relatively high purchasing power compared to the average consumer.compared to the average consumer.

Other Sources of Income

Relatives24%

Business5%

Pension33%

Consultancy19%

Services0%

Others19%

Relatives Business Pension

Consultancy Services Others

This indicated that the female public executives’ incomes are augmented by other sources other than that derived from government. They do not rely solely on their salaries because they have other competencies and well-to-do relatives.

Possession of Trust Funds Possession of Trust Funds

Do you have trust funds?

yes37%

no63%

yes

no

Trust funds are usually either invested upon or inherited. Purposes for trust funds ranges from security for children and old age to capital build-up for future business investment during retirement years.

Many of our female public executives can afford to buy Many of our female public executives can afford to buy or construct their own houses. They might have or construct their own houses. They might have availed themselves of housing loans or received availed themselves of housing loans or received assistance from their well-off relatives.assistance from their well-off relatives.

House Property

87%

5% 8%

Owned/bought

rented

Owned/inherited

Lot Property

86%

0%14%

Owned/bought

rented

Owned/inherited

Other Properties Owned

39%

0%39%

4%

18%

Farm Land Commercial Lot

Residential Building/apartment

Memorial

This further reinforced the fact that the female public executives have more that ample resources to invest

in real properties and can very well afford to meet more than their basic needs for daily living. They can have even afford to indulge themselves in luxurious

items and practices.

Accounts and Deposits Owned

Savings67%

Checking/current

14%

Time Deposits

19%

Savings Checking/current Time Deposits

Do you own a vehicle?

yes90%

no10%

yes

no

Brand of Vehicle Owned

Mitsubishi 13%

Isuzo 5%

Toyota 29%

Assembled 8%

Others 16%

Ford 0% Honda

5% Kia/hundai

8%

Nissan 16%

Chevrolet 0%

Honda Ford Mitsubishi Kia/hundai Chevrolet Nissan Isuzo Toyota Assembled Others

02468

1012141618

% of Pieces Owned

Rin

gs

Earr

ings

Neckla

ce

Bra

cele

t

Bro

oches/p

ins

Watc

hes

Ankle

ts

Pendants

Oth

ers

Type of Jewelry

Jewelry Ownership

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Average Amount in Thousand

Pesos

Rin

gs

Earr

ings

Neckla

ce

Bra

cele

t

Bro

oches/p

ins

Watc

hes

Ankle

ts

Pendants

Oth

ers

Type of Jewelry

Worth of Jewelries Owned

0

5

10

15

20

25

Percent ShareR

usta

ns

SM

Gais

ano

Dow

nto

wn

Tailo

r/dre

ssm

aker

Made to O

rder

Ayala

Ukay-u

kay

oth

ers

Establishment

Where They Buy Clothes

Frequency of Buying Clothes and Shoes

05

1015202530354045

mon

thly

ever

ytw

om

onth

s

quar

terly

twic

e a

year

once

aye

ar

Frequency

Per

cen

tag

e

Clothes

Shoes

Where They Buy Food

SM42%

others18%

Robinsons16%

Foodarama9%

Ramos0% Taboan

4%

Rustans4%

Carbon7%

Carbon Ramos Taboan Rustans

SM Foodarama Robinsons others

05

1015202530354045

Percent of Executives

Avon

Clin

ique

Max F

acto

r

Cotty

Sara

Lee

Oth

ers

Cosmetics Type

Cosmetics Used

05

101520253035

Percent of Executives

UsingA

von

Este

Luader

Vic

toria's

Secre

t

Chanel

Calv

in K

lien

Chlo

e

Oth

ers

Perfume Brand

Perfume Used

05

10152025303540

Percent of Executives

Doing

Golf

Tennis

Walk

ing

Mahjo

ng

Movie

s

Gard

enin

g

Relig

ious

Socio

-civ

ic

Oth

ers

Type of Activity

Recreational Activity

Where They Spend Vacation

abroad14%

resort7%

province33%

Baguio0%

home46%

home resort province Baguio abroad

Loan Type and Payment

05

1015202530354045ho

usin

g

car

sala

ry

polic

y

cala

mity

othe

rsLoans

Per

cen

t Percent ofExecutives

Ave MonthlyPayment (inThousandsPesos)

Credit Card Used

Mastercard56%

Visa44%

Visa Mastercard

SUMMARY OF FINDINGSSUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Majority of the female public executives are receiving a compensation package ranging from P30,000 to P39,000 per month. This is consistent with the salary and benefit range of middle management in government service. This is way above the Region VII income poverty line which can give them considerable purchasing power and options.

They female public executives have other sources of income from pension, assistance received from relatives, consultancy and businesses. These somehow augment their salaries and increase their consumer purchasing power.

Most of the female public executives do not have trust funds nor have they invested in any. This may have something to do with our cultural belief in fate. We do not have to fuss over the future because fate will take care of it.

Majority of the female public Majority of the female public executives own the house and lot executives own the house and lot where they are residing. These where they are residing. These where usually bought using their own where usually bought using their own resources. However, some inherited resources. However, some inherited their house and lot while a few are their house and lot while a few are renting. Their ability to own a house renting. Their ability to own a house and lot may be due to the fact that and lot may be due to the fact that aside from salaries received from aside from salaries received from government, they have other government, they have other sources of income or support.sources of income or support.

A greater number of the female public A greater number of the female public executives have real properties other executives have real properties other than the one they are residing in. Most than the one they are residing in. Most of these are residential and farmlands. of these are residential and farmlands. This fact further confirmed that they This fact further confirmed that they have enough disposable income to own have enough disposable income to own other properties aside from their house other properties aside from their house and lot.and lot.

Majority have savings deposits in the Majority have savings deposits in the bank and only a few have current bank and only a few have current accounts and time deposits. The accounts and time deposits. The female public executives recognize the female public executives recognize the value of saving and are show value of saving and are show confidence in our banking system to confidence in our banking system to safeguard and augment their hard-safeguard and augment their hard-earned money.earned money.

At least one vehicle is owned by At least one vehicle is owned by majority of the female public majority of the female public executives. A car or a vehicle is a executives. A car or a vehicle is a need rather than a luxury for them need rather than a luxury for them considering their position. They are considering their position. They are often very busy and had to attend often very busy and had to attend several meetings and functions in a several meetings and functions in a day or week. The most popular day or week. The most popular brand of vehicle is Toyota, generally brand of vehicle is Toyota, generally owned by people belonging to the owned by people belonging to the middle-class bracket. No one owns middle-class bracket. No one owns a luxury or high-end vehicle.a luxury or high-end vehicle.

The female public executives The female public executives own pieces of jewelry. The most own pieces of jewelry. The most common are rings, earrings and common are rings, earrings and watches. The worth of these watches. The worth of these pieces of jewelry range from pieces of jewelry range from P10,000.00 to P25,000.00. P10,000.00 to P25,000.00. These are modest possession of These are modest possession of jewelries for everyday use. jewelries for everyday use. Moreover, the amount of Moreover, the amount of jewelries are not exorbitant.jewelries are not exorbitant.

SM Department Store is the most SM Department Store is the most popular establishment where the popular establishment where the female public executives buy their female public executives buy their clothes. It is also at SM where most of clothes. It is also at SM where most of them buy their groceries. They do not them buy their groceries. They do not patronize high-end shopping malls or patronize high-end shopping malls or establishments. Rather, they prefer the establishments. Rather, they prefer the stores popular to the “masa” or middle stores popular to the “masa” or middle class. Most of them buy their groceries class. Most of them buy their groceries at SM supermarket as they do not at SM supermarket as they do not have the luxury of time to buy food have the luxury of time to buy food from the wet markets. from the wet markets.

Most of the female public executives Most of the female public executives buy new clothes and pair of shoes on a buy new clothes and pair of shoes on a quarterly basis or every three months. quarterly basis or every three months. The average number of pairs of shoes The average number of pairs of shoes per executive is eight (8) while the per executive is eight (8) while the average number of clothes possessed is average number of clothes possessed is nineteen (19). It is not surprising that nineteen (19). It is not surprising that the female public executives invest on the female public executives invest on clothes and shoes. The nature of their clothes and shoes. The nature of their job and position requires them to be job and position requires them to be well-groomed, presentable and formal. well-groomed, presentable and formal. Again, they generally spend modestly Again, they generally spend modestly on clothes and shoes which are bought on clothes and shoes which are bought from middle class establishments.from middle class establishments.

The locally manufactured Avon is the most The locally manufactured Avon is the most popular brand of cosmetics used by the popular brand of cosmetics used by the executives while the most popular perfume executives while the most popular perfume used is the imported Este Lauder brand. used is the imported Este Lauder brand. This is usually the most popular brand of This is usually the most popular brand of scent sent by relatives abroad to their scent sent by relatives abroad to their Filipino families. This further confirmed that Filipino families. This further confirmed that they do not spend so much in beauty they do not spend so much in beauty products.products.

The female public executive’s recreational The female public executive’s recreational activities are inexpensive. The most popular activities are inexpensive. The most popular is walking, participating in religious activities is walking, participating in religious activities and gardening. The Filipino religiosity and gardening. The Filipino religiosity emerges in most activities of the of the emerges in most activities of the of the female public executive.female public executive.

A greater number of them spend their A greater number of them spend their vacation at home or in the provinces. vacation at home or in the provinces. This is typical of a Filipino because of This is typical of a Filipino because of our close family ties cultural value. our close family ties cultural value. There are always occasions for family There are always occasions for family reunions either at home or in the reunions either at home or in the provinces.provinces.

Being government employees, the Being government employees, the most popular loans acquired by the most popular loans acquired by the female public executives are the female public executives are the salary and policy loans from the GSIS. salary and policy loans from the GSIS. Their average monthly payment for Their average monthly payment for loans is P7,500.00. This is a loans is P7,500.00. This is a manageable amount to pay manageable amount to pay considering their above average considering their above average salaries and other sources of income.salaries and other sources of income.

All of them are credit card owners. All of them are credit card owners. This indicates that the credit card This indicates that the credit card companies have confidence in their companies have confidence in their ability to pay. This also shows that ability to pay. This also shows that the female public executives are the female public executives are secure about their capacity to secure about their capacity to recompense expenses incurred recompense expenses incurred through credit.through credit.

The average female public The average female public executive owns two sets of executive owns two sets of television, air-conditioning units and television, air-conditioning units and mobile phones. These are mobile phones. These are possessions one can find in an possessions one can find in an average or upper middle class average or upper middle class family.family.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

The female public executives in The female public executives in Cebu City belong to the upper Cebu City belong to the upper middle class. They are in the peak middle class. They are in the peak of their careers and businesses. of their careers and businesses. They have hectic work and business They have hectic work and business schedules. They are the pressured schedules. They are the pressured ones, as well, in ensuring that their ones, as well, in ensuring that their family will have good food on the family will have good food on the table, high quality education for their table, high quality education for their children, and take care of oneself in children, and take care of oneself in terms of health and grooming.terms of health and grooming.

It is very apparent that the It is very apparent that the female public executives in the female public executives in the regional offices in Cebu City are regional offices in Cebu City are living modest and simple lives. living modest and simple lives. They are devoid of opulence They are devoid of opulence and spend their hard earned and spend their hard earned peso on things they really need. peso on things they really need. Their spending practices are Their spending practices are based on their means and based on their means and capacity to earn.capacity to earn.

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS Based on the conclusions of the study, the Based on the conclusions of the study, the

following recommendations are suggested:following recommendations are suggested:

1. The PCIJ guidelines on lifestyle check is 1. The PCIJ guidelines on lifestyle check is very useful but can be subject to bias and very useful but can be subject to bias and error when translated into a survey form. error when translated into a survey form. To make it more empirically sound, other To make it more empirically sound, other forms of research gathering tools can be forms of research gathering tools can be used to complement the existing one such used to complement the existing one such as the conduct of focus group discussions, as the conduct of focus group discussions, review of secondary data, observation and review of secondary data, observation and key informant interview. In this way, the key informant interview. In this way, the triangulation of data principle in research triangulation of data principle in research can be used to ensure validity and can be used to ensure validity and reliability of data.reliability of data.

2. The results of the study may have 2. The results of the study may have pointed out that there are no corrupt pointed out that there are no corrupt and anomalous practices being done and anomalous practices being done by the female public executives but by the female public executives but this should not make the public this should not make the public compliant and less concerned. There compliant and less concerned. There is still a need to help government is still a need to help government monitor the local public officials. As monitor the local public officials. As the public become more vigilant and the public become more vigilant and involved, this will ultimately redound involved, this will ultimately redound to more improved and sustained to more improved and sustained public services as government public services as government resources are saved form wastage resources are saved form wastage and selfish intents. and selfish intents.

3. The organization of community-3. The organization of community-based multi-sectoral based multi-sectoral “graft-busters”“graft-busters” can be helpful to keep an eye on can be helpful to keep an eye on our local government officials our local government officials especially at the barangay levels. especially at the barangay levels. This can be composed of This can be composed of community leaders, sectoral community leaders, sectoral representatives, the church, NGOs, representatives, the church, NGOs, academe, media and other academe, media and other concerned citizens. The creation of concerned citizens. The creation of a government body commissioned a government body commissioned to conduct lifestyle checks and to conduct lifestyle checks and other corruption determining other corruption determining mechanism can be beneficial to mechanism can be beneficial to give focus on the government’s anti-give focus on the government’s anti-graft and corruption campaign.graft and corruption campaign.

4. To reinforce the practice of 4. To reinforce the practice of modest and decent living for modest and decent living for government employees, the government employees, the Civil Service Commission can Civil Service Commission can initiate a reward system that will initiate a reward system that will give recognition to government give recognition to government officials and servants who are officials and servants who are found to be industrious, honest found to be industrious, honest and living within their means.and living within their means.

5. 0rganizations concerned with 5. 0rganizations concerned with lifestyle checks and monitoring lifestyle checks and monitoring public officials should form a public officials should form a coalition or network to become a coalition or network to become a more potent force to reckon with. more potent force to reckon with. They can also meet regularly to They can also meet regularly to share good practices and share good practices and experiences and to help each other experiences and to help each other out.out.

6. The never ending clamor for the 6. The never ending clamor for the political will to prosecute the big-political will to prosecute the big-time grafters and corrupters should time grafters and corrupters should be realized in a transparent and fair be realized in a transparent and fair manner so that the government can manner so that the government can get back the public’s cooperation get back the public’s cooperation and trust.and trust.

THANK YOUTHANK YOU