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• The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) adopted a Code of Ethics for Clinical Psychologists in the 1980s
• In 2007, the Board of Directors of the PAP resolved to constitute a committee to revise the code of ethics, with the goal of updating the code and making it more inclusive and applicable to all psychologists
• Scientific and Professional Ethics Committee worked on revising the Code of Ethics

  2008-2009
• The PAP Board of Directors appointed Dr. Allan B. I. Bernardo as Chair of the Scientific and Professional Ethics Committee in 2008
• The committee members included Dr. Ma. Lourdes A. Carandang, Dr. Natividad A. Dayan, Dr. Rosalito De Guzman, and Ms. Anna Guerrero
• The committee, with the assistance of three graduate assistants, studied the old Code and various documents related to ethical standards for psychologists
• The first draft of the Code was presented to the PAP Board of Directors on April 18, 2009
• The draft was further revised and finally ratified by the PAP Board of Directors on July 24, 2009
• The PAP encourages continuous discussions on the Code and suggestions for its improvement
• Members can submit suggestions for new provisions or improvements to the PAP Board
• Any person asserting a violation of the Code by a PAP member should inform the PAP in writing with supporting evidence
• The PAP will investigate such assertions and take appropriate actions, including sanctions if necessary
• Psychologists in the Philippines adhere to the Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists adopted by the General Assembly of the International Union of Psychological Science in 2008
• The Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists provides a moral framework and generic set of ethical principles for psychology organizations worldwide
• The context of their work contributes to a stable society that enhances the quality of life for all human beings
• Objectives of the Universal Declaration

  • To provide a moral framework and generic set of ethical principles for psychology organizations worldwide
  • To evaluate the ethical and moral relevance of their codes of ethics
  • To use as a template to guide the development or evolution of their codes of ethics
  • To encourage global thinking about ethics, while also encouraging action that is sensitive and responsive to local needs and values
  • To speak with a collective voice on matters of ethical concern
• The Universal Declaration describes ethical principles based on shared human values
• The Universal Declaration reaffirms the commitment of the psychology community to help build a better world where peace, freedom, responsibility, justice, humanity, and morality prevail
• The Universal Declaration articulates general and aspirational principles and related values
• Application of the principles and values to the development of specific standards of conduct will vary across cultures and must occur locally or regionally to ensure relevance to local or regional cultures, customs, beliefs, and laws
• The significance of the Universal Declaration depends on its recognition and promotion by psychology organizations at national, regional, and international levels
• Every psychology organization is encouraged to promote respect for and observance of the Declaration's principles and related values in the various activities of its members
• Respect for the dignity of persons and peoples is the most fundamental and universally found ethical principle across geographical and cultural boundaries and professional disciplines
• Respect for dignity recognizes the inherent worth of all human beings, regardless of perceived or real differences in social status, ethnic origin, gender, capacities, or other characteristics
• Respect for the dignity of persons and peoples includes moral consideration of and respect for the dignity of peoples
• Respect for the dignity of persons and peoples is expressed in different ways in different communities and cultures
• Psychologists accept as fundamental the Principle of Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples
• Related values to the Principle of Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples

  • Respect for the unique worth and inherent dignity of all human beings
  • Respect for the diversity among persons and peoples
  • Respect for the customs and beliefs of cultures, to be limited only when a custom or a belief seriously contravenes the principle of respect for the dignity of persons or peoples or causes serious harm to their well-being
  • Free and informed consent, as culturally defined and relevant for individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Privacy for individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Protection of confidentiality of personal information, as culturally defined and relevant for individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Fairness and justice in the treatment of persons and peoples
• Competent caring for the well-being of persons and peoples involves working for their benefit and, above all, doing no harm
• Competent caring requires the application of knowledge and skills appropriate for the nature of a situation as well as the social and cultural context
• Competent caring requires the ability to establish interpersonal relationships that enhance potential benefits and reduce potential harm
• Competent caring requires adequate self-knowledge of how one's values, experiences, culture, and social context might influence
• Competent Caring for the Well-Being of Persons and Peoples

  1. Establishing interpersonal relationships that enhance potential benefits and reduce potential harm

  2. Self-knowledge of how one's values, experiences, culture, and social context might influence actions and interpretations
• Related values of psychologists accepting the Principle of Competent Caring for the Well-Being of Persons and Peoples

  • Active concern for the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Taking care to do no harm to individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Maximizing benefits and minimizing potential harm to individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Correcting or offsetting harmful effects that have occurred
  • Developing and maintaining competence
  • Respect for the ability of individuals, families, groups, and communities to make decisions for themselves and to care for themselves and each other
• Integrity

  1. Based on honesty, truthful, open and accurate communications

  2. Recognizing, monitoring, and managing potential biases, multiple relationships, and conflicts of interest

  3. Balancing complete openness and disclosure of information with other ethical considerations

  4. Ensuring that self-interest does not interfere with acting in the best interests of persons and peoples
• Related values of psychologists accepting the Principle of Integrity

  • Honesty, and truthful, open and accurate communications
  • Avoiding incomplete disclosure of information unless complete disclosure is culturally inappropriate, or violates confidentiality, or carries the potential to do serious harm to individuals, families, groups, or communities
  • Maximizing impartiality and minimizing biases
  • Not exploiting persons or peoples for personal, professional, or financial gain
  • Avoiding conflicts of interest and declaring them when they cannot be avoided or are inappropriate to avoid
• Professional and Scientific Responsibilities to Society

  1. Contributing to the knowledge about human behavior and to persons' understanding of themselves and others

  2. Using knowledge to improve the condition of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society

  3. Conducting affairs within society in accordance with the highest ethical standards

  4. Encouraging the development of social structures and policies that benefit all persons and peoples
• Related values of psychologists accepting the Principle of Professional and Scientific Responsibilities to Society

  • In ways that allow the promotion of the well-being of society and all its members
  • Using psychological knowledge for beneficial purposes and protecting it from misuse, incompetence, or being made useless
  • Conducting affairs in ways that are ethical and consistent with the promotion of the well-being of society and all its members
  • Adequately training members in their ethical responsibilities and required competencies
  • Developing ethical awareness and sensitivity, and being as self-correcting as possible