The Civil Service Commission is reminding the 1.9 million government employees across the country to refrain from participating in electioneering and partisan activities in the ongoing campaign until Oct. 28, for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Monday, Oct. 30.
“Electioneering and partisan political activity refers to acts designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or party to public office,” the CSC said in a statement Friday, Oct. 20, as it noted that the 1987 Constitution mandates that no officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in these acts.
Similar prohibition can be found in the CSC and Commission on Elections Joint Circular No. 1, series of 2016.
CSC chairperson Karlo Nograles told government employees to remain mindful of not engaging in electioneering or partisan activities during this period. “This precautionary measure underscores our commitment to maintaining the integrity and neutrality of the public service.”
The prohibition covers members of the civil service, whether permanent, temporary, contractual, or casual, who are employed in all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the government; career officers holding political offices in an acting or officer-in-charge capacity; and uniformed and active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. Employees on leave of absence are also covered, the CSC said.
Prohibited activities include forming of organizations, associations, clubs, committees, or other groups of persons for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate/party; holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades, or other similar assemblies for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate/party;
Making speeches, announcements, commentaries or holding interviews for or against the election of any candidate/party for public office; publishing, displaying, or distributing campaign literature or materials designed to support or oppose the election of any candidate/party; or directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges, or support for or against a candidate/party, the CSC stressed.
Government workers are also banned from wearing T-shirts or pins, caps, or any other similar election paraphernalia bearing the names of the candidates or political party except as authorized by the Comelec; being a watcher for a political party or candidate during the election; consistent presence in political rallies, caucuses of, and continuous companionship with certain political candidates and/or political parties in said political activities, causing the employee to be closely identified with such candidate and/or political party;
Giving personal, financial, or other monetary contribution, supplies, equipment, and materials for the benefit of a candidate and/or political party; utilizing government resources such as personnel, including job orders or contract of service hires, time, and properties for political purposes; becoming a delegate to any political convention, or a member of any political committee or directorate; receiving any contributions for political purposes, either directly or indirectly; becoming publicly identified with the success or failure of any candidate/s or party/ies.
They, nonetheless, are allowed to express their views on current political problems or issues, mention the names of candidates or parties they support, and publicly express their opinions or engage in discussions of probable issues in a forthcoming election, or on attributes of or criticisms against probable candidates.
Government workers may also repost, share, like, comment, or follow a candidate’s or party’s account as long as they do not explicitly solicit support for or against a candidate or party during the campaign period, the CSC said.
Government employees who will be found guilty of engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political activities will be meted with a penalty of one month and one day to six months suspension for the first offense, and dismissal from the service for the second offense, as per the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service. ||
