Ethics, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Standards
What this domain tests
The Code of Conduct (Law No. 25/2008), the integrity regime of Law No. 133/2016 and the anti-corruption framework of Law No. 82/2017 as applied to everyday decisions.
Core rules
- Conduct obligations: impartiality, professionalism, transparency, confidentiality, courtesy and the duty to report any corrupt offer.
- Conflict of interest: declare it in writing, abstain from the decision and withdraw from any commission or panel; a declaration without abstention does not cure the conflict.
- Gifts: prohibited where they may influence judgement; protocol or symbolic gifts are narrowly tolerated and must be declared.
- Asset and personal interest declarations are filed with the National Integrity Authority (ANI), which verifies them and may refer findings for disciplinary or contraventional action and for confiscation of unjustified assets.
- Whistleblowers (Law No. 122/2018) have protected channels and protection against retaliation.
- Prevention: risk assessment, integrity tests, rotation in sensitive posts and post-employment restrictions for certain officials.
Worked example
A procurement commission member learns that his brother-in-law's company has bid. Step 1: this is a conflict of interest, not a formality. Step 2: he must declare it immediately and withdraw before any evaluation. Step 3: if he stays and the contract is awarded, the act is exposed to annulment, the contract to cancellation, and he faces disciplinary and contraventional liability.
Traps that cost marks
Believing a small gift is always acceptable; thinking a written declaration replaces abstention; failing to report an offer of a bribe because nothing followed; confusing the authority's ethics commission with ANI.