In light of the Christmas season, a thought-provoking question about accepting gifts was tackled in the ‘CIA with BA episode on Sunday, Dec. 15.

In the ‘Yes or No’ segment of the program, Nico, a government employee, brought up a scenario involving an expensive gift — a cellphone — from a private organization he had worked with on a project.

Before he could even raise his question, host and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano promptly took the cellphone from him. Nico then asked, “Since Pasko naman, okay lang po ba na tanggapin ko ang regalo nila?”

“No!” Kuya Alan answered firmly. “Kaya ko nga kinuha. Isosoli natin ‘to.”

The lawmaker then explained the laws governing the acceptance of gifts and bribery. “Marami tayong batas tungkol sa regalo at tungkol sa bribery,” he pointed out.

According to him, these regulations are designed to protect not only the public but also government employees. Accepting high-value gifts is prohibited to avoid situations that could appear as bribery or create undue influence.

“Halimbawa, birthday mo o Pasko, may magbibigay ng pagkain, ‘yan pwede ‘yan,” he clarified. “Pero ‘yung magbibigay ng mamahaling regalo, merong mga batas na laban diyan saka iniingatan din ‘yung bribery. Iniisip nung iba kasi, ‘O, ibigay ko sa ‘yo ‘to, pirmahan mo ‘yung papeles.’ ‘Yun yung direct bribery.”

He also discussed the concept of indirect bribery, where expensive gifts could be used to influence an official without explicit demands. “Halimbawa maraming permit na kailangan sa ‘yo, pero wala pa kong hinihingi at binigyan na kita ng mamahalin, baka i-charge ka ng indirect bribery. Kumbaga bina-butter up ko na siya.”

The segment served as a timely reminder to government employees about proper conduct and compliance with laws, particularly during the holiday season when gift-giving becomes a common practice.

‘CIA with BA’ continues the legacy of the late Senator Rene Cayetano and airs every Sunday at 11:00 p.m. on GMA7, with replays on GTV the following Saturday at 10:30 p.m.