AMSC Legal Office in-partnership with Information Office and Human Resource Management conducted Legal Hour: Empowering AMSC Employees through Legal Awareness on RA 6713 | January 20, 2026, Friday 

January 30, 2026, Adiong Memorial State College held its inaugural "Legal Hour" session at the Science Lecture Hall, aimed at empowering its faculty and staff through enhanced legal awareness of Republic Act 6713. The event, titled "Empowering AMSC Employees through Legal Awareness on RA 6713," focused on the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The program opened with remarks from Dr. Rashida A. Abedin, Chief Administrative Officer and VP for Administration and Finance, who emphasized that legal awareness is a form of protection for employees. She noted that by understanding the law, public servants learn not only their duties and responsibilities but also their rights, fostering an ethical workplace built on clarity and accountability.

AMSC President Dr. Sherifa Rohannie K. Adiong delivered a keynote message, urging the workforce to internalize the institution’s core values, summarized by the acronym P-A-R-T: Participation, Accountability, Responsiveness, and Transparency.

Reflecting on her experience with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Dr. Adiong challenged the staff to bring "matinong, mahusay, and maasahan" (sensible, skilled, and reliable) service to the college. She provided a candid assessment of the institution's current progress, estimating that while transparency in transactions is at 70%, total accountability in service currently stands at approximately 30%. "Integrity should not be demanded from you, but it should be a default," Dr. Adiong stated, encouraging employees to act rightly even when no one is watching.

The technical lecture was delivered by Atty. Emmirhama S. Pacalna-Macabando, the college's Chief Legal Officer. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the legal obligations of public servants, including the following: 1.) Norms of conduct- officials must adhere to standards such as professionalism, simple living, political neutrality, and responsiveness to the public; 2.) SALN Compliance- a critical reminder was issued regarding the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), which must be filed annually by April 30. Failure to comply can lead to disciplinary action and affect an official's integrity; 3.) Prohibited Acts- the lecture detailed prohibitions against financial interests in transactions, the misuse of confidential information, and the solicitation of gifts; 4.) Conflicts of Interest- employees were reminded that they must resign from private business roles within 30 days of assuming office to avoid legal penalties, which can include fines or up to five years of imprisonment.

The "Legal Hour" is part of the college's broader "Sulong at Liksi AMSC 2026" initiative facilitated by the Legal Office in collaboration with the Human Resources Management and Information Units . Dr. Adiong announced that future sessions are already being planned, with upcoming discussions expected to cover Sharia law, specifically regarding marriage and other legal aspects, in collaboration with the institution's Sharia counselors.

Hosted by Maam Jahara S. Sacar, the event concluded with a closing remarks by Information Officer III, Aliasgar Mimbalawag that public office is a trust, requiring every employee to translate legal principles into daily practice to ensure the public experiences honesty, competence, and dignity in every interaction.

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