Civic Trust and Local Accountability: Public Ethics Among Barangay Officials in the Seaside A, B, and Poblacion Clustersof Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Republic Act (RA) No. 6713 defines the ethical standards for Philippine public servants, yet its observance at the barangay level, where citizens meet the state most directly, has received limited empirical attention. This study examined how elected officials in 20 barangays of Seaside A, Seaside B, and Poblacion clusters of Boac, Marinduque, understand and apply the law, how accountability mechanisms operate, and what these conditions imply for civic trust. Under a mixed-methods triangulation design, structured questionnaires were administered to 272 purposively selected officials, comprising Punong Barangays, Sangguniang Barangay members, and Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons and members; responses were analysed using weighted means and standard deviations. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions supplied qualitative data, which were analysed thematically. Respondents reported complete familiarity with the provisions of RA 6713 and consistent observance of its standards in leadership (WM = 3.61), service delivery (WM = 3.64), and the use of public resources (WM = 3.65). Barangay assemblies and financial disclosure emerged as the most firmly established accountability mechanisms, whereas participatory budgeting and feedback channels lagged behind. Among ethical challenges, resisting political pressure received the lowest rating (WM = 3.54). Interviews identified transparency boards, social media groups, and community reputation as informal yet effective sources of accountability. The findings indicate that ethical knowledge and compliance are no longer the binding constraint; the more pressing gaps lie in limited citizen participation and persistent political influence. The study recommends strengthening participatory structures, introducing digital transparency platforms, and extending ethics training to appointed barangay personnel.