The Department of Social Welfare and Development may accept donations from individuals or businesses related to the tobacco industry, according to the Department of Justice on Thursday.In a six-page legal opinion, the DOJ found that the acceptance of donations from the tobacco industry will not violate the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-01 of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Health .
In its legal opinion, the DOJ said that the prohibition under JMC 2010-01 can also be found in Section 7 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.However, it said that both the JMC 2010-01 and RA 6713 only prohibits the receipt or solicitation of public officials and employees in the course of their official functions and it does not prohibit the government agency or office itself.