San Agustin Diocesan Academy Inc.

Jaen, Nueva Ecija

Senior High School Department

S.Y. 2022-2023
Learning Area: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Semester: Second
Quarter: First
Grade Level: Twelve
Module No. 4
Week & Date: March 20, 2023

Module’s Objectives:
A. Content Standard: The learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Filipino Value System (Utang na
Loob, Filial Piety, Padrino Suki, Bahala na - Mañana, Amor Propio, and other Filipino Family Values)
B. Performance Standard: The learner will be able to describe how the Filipino value system affects the attitudes of
business constituents.
C. Learning Competencies: At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Infer how Filipino value system influence business practice
2. Generate ways to improve business practices guided by the philosophies, belief system or Filipino values
3. Explain how the belief systems influence business practices

Focus: The Filipino Value System and Business Ethics Challenges

 Business Ethics in the Philippine Context
 Business Ethics Challenges in the Philippines
 Impact of Filipino Practices and Beliefs Systems on Business Ethics

List of References:
Alejo José G. Sison & Antonette Palma- Angeles (1997). Business Ethics in the Philippines [Article]. https://link.springer.
com/article/
Aliza, R. (2017). Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. 1st ed. Rex Printing Company, Inc.
Jonalyn C.B (2017). Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. DIWA Learning System Inc.
M (2019). Traditional Filipino Family Value [Article]. https://medium.com/@janeellapangoyala/traditional-filipino-
family-values-that-make-us-distinct-among-others-7a439fdfd28a
Patti Flinsch-Rodriguez (2019). 10 Important Family Values to Uphold for a Family [Article]. https://pandagossips.com/
posts/4708
Reynaldo A.P (2016). Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. 1st ed. JFS Publishing Service
6Q Blog (2018). Business Ethics [Blog]. https://inside.6q.io/good-business-ethics-essential/

Learning Content

Challenge Question: Do you think that there would be instances where “too much” hospitality is wrong?

Unlocking of Learning Difficulties:

Admonish – warn or reprimand someone firmly

Camaraderie - mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together
Complexity - factor involved in a complicated process or situation
Discrimination - recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another
Endeavor - attempt to achieve a goal
Espionage - practice of spying or of using spies, typically by governments to obtain political and military information
Furnish - be a source of; provide
Gregarious- (of a person) fond of company; sociable
Inequitable - unfair; unjust
Instrumental - pursuing an aim or policy
Peculiar - strange or odd; unusual
Pedant - person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules
Unemancipated - not free, such as a minor who is not yet free from the care and custody of parental control due to being
under the age of majority, unmarried, not in military service, and not declared emancipated by court order
Utilitarian - someone who supports the belief that actions should be chosen based on what will cause the most pleasure
for the most people
Module’s Lecture:
1
The key to a successful organization is to have a strong culture. It is a collection of shared beliefs, expectations, and
meanings that guide and motivate members to perform their roles and functions in the organization. Culture provides
social and economic benefits. It enhances our quality of life and increases overall well-being for both individuals and
communities. Organizational or corporate culture is the system of shared actions, values, and beliefs that develop within
an organization and guide the behavior of its members.

Overview of Business Ethics

Business ethics refers to some problem-solving techniques designed to help the practitioner when confronted with
dilemmas (Agapay, 2008 and Roa, 2011).

Business ethics covers corporate governance, competition, fair trade, discrimination, social and environmental
responsibility, etc. Yet, the origins of the philosophical ideas behind it are ancient. They start with Plato and Aristotle and
their works on economic relations.

There are legal restrictions, which cover some parts of business ethics. Laws regulate norms for environmental
protection, employees’ rights, and fair competition. The legislation also prohibits many unfair financial practices. For
example, insider trading, bribing, and industrial espionage. But these measures do not cover all ethical practices in the
management of organization.

The Term “Business Ethics” in the Philippine Context

The semantics of the term business cannot help but reflect the ethno-linguistic and cultural health of, or the complexity
present in, the Philippines. The understanding of business ethics expresses the values both particular and peculiar to each
of the idioms currently used in the country.

One can say that Filipino business values are greatly affected by family-oriented laws prevailing in the country. For
example, The Family Code of the Philippines (Art. 209) provides that “the parents and those exercising parental authority
shall have respect to their unemancipated children or wards the following rights and duties:

1. To keep them in company, to support, to educate, and to instruct them by right precept and good example, and to
provide for their upbringing in keeping their means.
2. To give them love and affection, advice and counsel, companionship, and understanding.
3. To provide them moral and spiritual guidance, inculcate in them honesty, integrity, self-discipline, self-reliance,
industry and thrift, stimulate their interest in civic affairs, and inspire in them compliance with the duties of
citizenship.
4. To enhance, protect, preserve, and maintain their physical and mental health at all times.
5. To furnish them with good and wholesome educational materials, supervise their activities, recreation and
association with others, protect them from bad company, and prevent them from acquiring habits detrimental to
their health, studies and moral.
6. To present them in all matters affecting their interest.
7. To demand from them respect and obedience.
8. To impose discipline on them as may be required under the circumstances.
9. To perform such other duties as are imposed by law upon parent and guardians.

A Filipino experiences family closeness and solidarity (pagpapahalaga sa pamilya), politeness (use of po or ho or opo),
hospitality (tuloy po kayo), gratitude (utang na loob) from within, etc. Filipino values such as social acceptance
(pakikisama, amor propio, economic security, pagmamay-ari) and trust in God (pananalig sa Diyos, Bathala or
Maykapal, and Bahala na) find their philosophical basis in man’s dynamic openness toward nature and the world. For
example, the value of hanapbuhay ng magsasaka), one’s fellowmen (the values of paggalang, hiya, katarungan, pag-
ibig), and God (the values of pananampalataya, panalangin, kabanalan) (Gorospe, 1994).

Traditional Filipino Family Values

Majority of Philippine population is bonded together by common values and traits that are first taught at home and being
applied in our day to day lives.

The following are some of the Filipino family values:

1. Pagpapahalaga sa Pamilya (Family-oriented)

Filipinos are known for having strong and close family ties. They place high regard and put importance on
their family before anything else. They work all day and do all they can to feed and provide for their family.

2. Respect
2
 One of the precious things Filipinos have is that they are respectful. Young, youth, people in all ages know
how to show respect and courtesy. Some ways to show them are the use of “Po at Opo”, “Pagmamano” or putting
the back of an elder’s hand on your forehead, and calling our older siblings or elders Ate or Kuya.

3. God-fearing
Though we, Filipinos, belong to different religious groups, we all have God (Supreme being) in our center.
Filipino families sometimes go to church or pray together with their family.

4. Pakikisama (Helping others)

Filipinos get along with different kinds of people. They can easily adjust to any situation and are flexible. This
trait fosters cooperation, good and helpful deeds. When their neighbors are in trouble, they will help them in
whatever they can. They also do not let their family members go through hard times alone, instead, they help each
other.

5. Hospitality
One of the most popular qualities Filipinos have is that they are very hospitable. When there are visitors at
home, they will do a lot of preparations for good entertainment and accommodation so that they will feel at home
and enjoy the stay. When there is an occasion at home, there are a lot of food and you can expect to have take-
outs (pabalot) after.

6. Utang na Loob (Debt of Gratitude)

This trait shows a sense of duty and responsibility. Filipinos know how to repay other people. When someone
helped us, we return the favors with goodness.

7. Love and Happiness

In a Filipino family, our parents usually cook for us, that is what one of the ways on how they show their love.
Also, through good and bad times, Filipinos always find a way to smile and be happy. Whatever the problem is,
we are always reminded that our family is always there to love and support us no matter what.

Business Ethics corresponds to a wide range of concept pairs in Pilipino. On the immediate level, business ethics implies
what is right and correct (tama), what is wrong (mali), what is allowed or legal (puwede or hindi bawal) and what is
prohibited or illegal (bawal) in trade or business (pangangalakal). On another level, there is a reference to what is good
(mabuti) and what is bad (masama), although in a highly utilitarian and instrumental rather than in absolute moral sense.

Business Ethics Challenges in the Philippines

Basic education’s usual approach to ethics teaching in the Philippines has been generally pedantic. Teachers and parents
repeatedly admonish us about inherited do’s and don’ts, perhaps thinking that the repetition would thrive us ethical. The
rapid growth and liberalization of the economy, coupled with the inequitable distribution of wealth, the destruction of the
environment and corruption are the main ethical concerns. Business persons and the academe endeavor to find creative
solutions for these unique challenges.

Impact of Filipino Practices and Beliefs System on Business Ethics

Filipinos have their own unique culture and practices. These form part of our identity as a nation and our character as
a race. With very rich cultural heritage, we enjoy the value system that is diverse and different. However, some of our
practices may actually have an impact on business organization.

 Padrino System or Padrino Suki (Palakasan)

Padrino system, or patronage in the Filipino culture and politics is the value system where one gets support,
endorsement, or political appointment through family affiliation (nepotism) or friendship (cronyism) as against to one's
worth it.

For example, a person may be given a promotion in the office not because he/she deserves it, but because he/she is a
friend of the owner of the business or he/she is the cousin of the president. Aside from the fact that this denies the rightful
person the position that he/she deserves, it may also foster ill feelings among other people in the department.

 Gratitude (Utang na Loob)

Gratitude or utang na loob is a very fashionable Filipino characteristic. One does not fail to remember the fine actions
that others may have done particularly at times of great need. With this system people are forced to do something in
exchange for what others do in favor.

3
  Fellowship (Pakikisama)

Fellowship or pakikisama is a Filipino trait that describes how Filipinos take care of their interpersonal relationship by
agreeing to what the majority wants or by getting along with others. While this is a positive trait, it may also have its
drawbacks when it is used to force someone to do something not because he/she wants to, but because he/she wants to fit
in. For instance, a person may be forced to try smoking because his/her barkada asked him/her to. In the business setting,
a person may do a favor for another out of pakikisama.

 Suki System

Suki is a Filipino term which means “loyal customer.” In business, “suki relationship” usually takes time and many
business and transactions to be solidified, suggesting a suki like relationship, and backing it up with concessions could be
used as a measure to build trust and loyalty.

There are so many potential family values to choose from, but each family has to decide for themselves which ones are
most important for their family. What a family determines to be important may differ wildly from family to family, and
this is okay. Whatever the people value should not be judged, especially if they have different values from yours.
Remember, values within a family may change over time. People and values can evolve.

Illustrations and Examples:

For more example of Filipino Traits for this week’s module, I saved a pdf file in your OTG flash drive entitled “The
Philippines”. You may also visit the link: https://www.afsusa.org/countries/philippines/

Faith Formation:

HUMILITY

In this module, we learned that Filipinos had nurtured the significant values passed on to them by generation and is
continued to be put into practice in the context of our contemporary situation wherein injustice, poverty, and corruption
prevails. These values serve as light in the midst of the darkness, showing the path to righteousness, justice, and peace.

“But godliness actually is a mean of great gain when accompanied by contentment.”

-1
Timothy 6:6

Related Reading
If you have time and still want to learn more about are topic for this week you, may opt to read the article below.

The Ten (10) Most Important Family Values to Incorporate

1. Valuing the Elders

The elders are important to the family unit. Grandparents and great aunts and uncles often help out with the raising of
children. If you need a babysitter, you have the peace of mind in knowing grandma and grandpa are ready and willing
to help out and you do not have to worry about your children's safety.

2. Hard Work
Hard work is a traditional value shared by many people. It does not matter whether the person has a desk job or
works on a construction site, as long as they work hard at their job. Working hard translates for many to bringing
home a paycheck. A paycheck is important to the family because it means the family is stable. Every member of a
family wants to know that they have a place to sleep at night and know that there will be food in the house to eat.

3. Respect
Respect is another traditional family value. Families teach their children to respect others by showing respect to
people inside and outside of the family. If mom and dad are fighting, they can do it in a respectful way. Name calling
is not showing respect. If dad thanks mom for making a wonderful dinner, it is showing all of the kids how a woman
should be treated.

4. Compassion
Having compassion as a family value will teach your kids how to be a good friend and human being. You do not want
your kids teasing others because they don't have as much money as your family does. You don't want them to look at
homeless people with disdain. Teaching compassion will allow your family to show empathy to those people who are
not as fortunate in life as they are.

5. Eating Together

4
 Eating together as a family is a way for families to engage and connect with one another. It sounds rather simple, but
when the tv is off and the electronic devices are put away, the family gets to talk and really get to know each other
better. It's a great way to find out what is going on at school and work. The kids may not love the idea of giving up
their devices, but they will eventually start to enjoy dinner with the family.

6. Responsibility
Instilling responsibility into children is the best thing you can do for them. Kids need to know that when they make a
commitment to someone that it is their responsibility to follow through because people are counting on them. You can
start with small levels of responsibility depending upon the age of the child. They can take out the garbage, feed the
dog, clean the litterbox, vacuum the floors or help put away food from a weekly shopping excursion.

7. Creativity
Creativity is a modern family value. While there are certain chores that must be done every day, some families
choose to have a creativity component to their day or week. Of course, homework and studies are important, but
modern families try to incorporate some level of creativity to lighten the load. You do not want to work so hard that
there is no room for creativity. Learning to play the guitar or spending time drawing or painting can be very relaxing
and it is important to dabble in the arts to become well-rounded.

8. Kindness
You want your child to be the one to sit at the lunch table with the new kid at school, and that does not happen by
itself. You have to teach your children to be kind by showing kindness to others.

9. Fun Time
Having a weekly game night is the perfect way to connect with each other and get the whole family laughing and
interacting with each other. Everyone works hard all week, whether they are at a job or going to school, so having
some time to kick back and have fun on the weekend with the family is something everyone can look forward to.
When the kids are younger, that day could be Friday or Saturday night. As they become teens, you may want to
switch the game night to Sunday as they may want to spend time with their friends on Saturday night.

10. Volunteering
Volunteering with your family is a great way to show them that you need to give back to society. You can volunteer
with a religious organization, or you can help out at your local food pantry or animal shelter. If you aren't a fan of
groups, you can get together with your kids and help out a local family in the neighborhood. Maybe there is an
elderly couple who could use help with yardwork or painting a fence. Volunteering always makes you feel good
about yourself and everyone can use a helping hand once in a while.

Prepared by: Checked by: Noted by:

Mrs. May Ann S. Nuestro Mr. John Patrick G. Malang Mr. Nathaniell C. Capinpin
Subject Teacher Subject Area Coordinator Academic Supervisor

Joanne Mae J. Bondoc, Ed.D.

SHS Academic Coordinator

5
6