Code of Ethics for Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselors

July 15, 2008

PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING RESOLUTION NO. 05-08

CODE OF ETHICS FOR REGISTERED AND LICENSED GUIDANCE COUNSELORS

WHEREAS, ETHICS refers to "a system of moral principles or values; the rules or standards governing the conduct of members of a profession; accepted principles of right or wrong;" and establishes the means of doing what is right, fair, and honest;

WHEREAS, the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling is empowered to "(i) [P]romulgate rules and regulations including the Code of Ethics for Guidance and Counselors . . . ." and "(r) [A]dopt measures necessary and proper for the high and ethical and professional standards in the maintenance of the practice of the profession;" "(j) [i]nvestigate violations . . . of the code of Ethics for Guidance Counselors"; (l) [R]ender decision, order or resolution or in preliminary in or inquiry against violators . . . of the Code of Ethics for Guidance and Counselors . . . ."; "(k) [i]ssue, suspend, revoke, or reissue any certificate of registration . . . ." (Sec. 5. Powers, Functions of the Board, Art. II of R.A. No. 9258, known as the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004");

WHEREAS, Sec. 24, Art. II of R.A. No. 9258 states, to wit: "Sec. 24 . . . . The Certificate of Registration may be revoked or suspended . . . for violation of the Code of Ethics . . .";

WHEREAS, "Any unethical practice of guidance counseling as may be defined in the code of Ethics . . . to be prepared by the Board in consultation with guidance counselors is prohibited"; (Par. Four of Sec. 24, Art. III of R.A. No. 9258); and

WHEREAS, the Board, pursuant to the power thereof afore-quoted under Sec. (i), Art. II of R.A. No. 9258, drafted the Code of Ethics for Guidance Counselors and submitted the same to the Commission for approval of the latter as part of the rules and regulations of the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004".

NOW, THEREFORE, the Board resolves, as it is hereby resolved, to promulgate and issue the "Code of Ethics for Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselors" marked as Annex "A" and made an integral part of this Resolution and the Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 9258. ScTaEA

This Resolution shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the full and complete publication thereof in the Official Gazette, or in any newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Let a copy hereof be forwarded to the Interim Professional Organization of Guidance Counselors and/or the Registered and Accredited Integrated National Organization of Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselors. aHTcDA

(SGD.) LILY ROSQUETA ROSALES

Officer-In-Charge

(SGD.) LUZVIMINDA S. GUZMAN

Member

ATTESTED TO:

(SGD.) CARLOS G. ALMELOR

Secretary

Professional Regulatory Boards

APPROVED:

(SGD.) LEONOR TRIPON-ROSERO

Secretary

RUTH RAÑA PADILLA

Commissioner

(SGD.) NILO L. ROSAS

Commissioner

ANNEX A

CODE OF ETHICS FOR REGISTERED AND LICENSED GUIDANCE COUNSELORS

Preamble

Guidance and Counseling in the Philippines is now recognized as a profession and such as, it carries with it certain responsibilities and expectations.

The role of the Guidance Counselor is significant in the lives of people. The nature of his work demands competence, excellence, integrity, trust, and service. He must be guided by recognized ethical standards, which define his functions and responsibilities and which provide guidelines for his practices as Guidance Counselor. DAEcIS

ARTICLE I

General Ethical Principle

SECTION 1.  Observance of Principles. — Guidance Counselors shall observe the following basic and general principles:

1.1 Abide by the ethical principle laid down by the Guidance and Counseling Profession.

1.2 Not misuse the professional relationship for profit, power, or prestige, or for personal gratification not consonant with the welfare of his Counselee.

1.3 Realize that his professional time and effort are fully, faithfully, conscientiously, and truthfully devoted to the accomplishment and improvement of the guidance and counseling profession. IaAHCE

1.4 Grow professionally and keep abreast with current trends in guidance work through continuing professional education and affiliate himself with reputable and recognized local, national and international guidance associations.

ARTICLE II

Relationship with Counselee

SECTION 2.  Counselors' Relationship with Counselee. — Counselors shall establish and maintain good relations with their counselees and, accordingly, shall:

2.1 Respect the personhood and integrity of the person with whom he work.

2.2 Recognize individual differences.

2.3 Clarify his role to the Counselee.

2.4 Establish professional relationship with the Counselee.

2.5 Explain results of tests and other diagnostic tools in a comprehensive and constructive manner. EAaHTI

2.6 Give information about the Counselee only to persons who can be of help to the Counselee and is done only with the approval of the Counselee and/or his parents or guardian. When revelations may result in possible harm to the Counselee or to someone else, or may endanger the community or the country, he must report the facts to appropriate authorities and take emergency measures to prevent any untoward event or harm to Counselee.

2.7 Recommend a referral when it is indicated that the Counselee does not benefit from the guidance relationship, but assume responsibility for the welfare of the Counselee until the guidance responsibility is assumed by the person to whom the Counselee has been referred. aIcDCH

ARTICLE III

Relationship with the Community

SECTION 3.  Counselors' Relationship with Community. — Guidance Counselors shall establish and maintain good relations with their community, and accordingly, shall:

3.1 Establish a relationship between the community and the guidance program in a manner that is beneficial to both.

3.2 Show sensible regard for and ethical recognition of the social code and moral expectations of the community in which he works and strives to elevate the understanding of its social and cultural traditions. aTEHCc

3.3 Attend to the needs, problems, aspirations, and human resources of the community in order to enable him to give relevant service responses, and to develop a wholesome community spirit.

ARTICLE IV

Relationship with Colleagues in the Profession

SECTION 4.  Guidance Counselors' Relationship with their Peers. — Guidance Counselors shall establish with their colleagues and, accordingly, shall:

4.1 Initiate peer relations and maintain high standards of professional competence in the guidance and counseling discipline.

4.2 Keep relationships on a professional level by refraining from petty personal actions.

4.3 Consult colleagues as a matter of professional courtesy, when planning to initiate a professional activity likely to encroach upon his colleagues' recognized academic disciplines or researches. SacTAC

4.4 Give accurate information and avoid any misinterpretation or unclear explanations.

4.5 Hold responsible for proper permission from and adequate recognition of authors and publishers of counseling and testing instruments which he uses and sees to it that psychological tests are administered only by professionally-trained and competent guidance personnel under his direct supervision.

ARTICLE V

Research and Publications

SECTION 5.  Guidance Counselors' Attitude on Research and Publications. — Guidance Counselors shall undergo research and publications and, accordingly, shall

5.1 Undertake research to contribute to the advancement of the Guidance and Counseling profession.

5.2 In conducting research, adhere to the highest standards of research methodology.

5.3 In reporting results of researches, reveal the identity of the subjects of research only with the permission of the subjects concerned and only for professional purposes.

5.4 Acknowledge the source of his ideas and material in his research as well as in his publications, and recognize divergent opinions from responsible person.

ARTICLE VI

Miscellaneous Provisions

SECTION 6.  Administrative Penalties. — Any registered and licensed Guidance Counselor who violates any provision of this Code shall be administratively liable under Sec. 24, Art. III of R.A. No. 9258 and Sec. 24, Rule III of Board Resolution No. 02, Series of 2007, the "RR of R.A. No. 9258". aEIADT

SECTION 7.  Separability Clause. — If any part of this code is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions/s or part/s thereof not affected thereby, if separable, shall continue to be valid, enforceable, and operational.

Published in the Official Gazette Vol. 104, No. 39, page 6675 on September 29, 2008.