In a bid for political neutrality during election season, the Philippine Civil Service Commission (CSC) has warned government workers not to engage in electioneering activities related to the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
“No officer or employee in the civil service, as well as any member of the military, shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political activity, except to vote,” said CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala.
She added that civil servants are mandated by law to uphold political neutrality in the conduct of their duties even more during election season.
According to CSC, members of the civil service in all branches of government, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCC), and state universities and colleges are prohibited from taking part in the following forms of political activities:
- Forming 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;
- Holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades or other similar assemblies, for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign or propaganda for or against a candidate;
- Making speeches, announcements or commentaries, or holding interviews for or against the election of any candidate for public office;
- Publishing or distributing campaign literature or materials designed to support or oppose the election of any candidate;
- Directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges, or support for or against a candidate;
- Being a delegate to any political convention, or a member of any political committee or directorate. Or an officer of any political club or other similar political organizations;
- Receiving any contributions for political purposes, either directly or indirectly; and
- Becoming publicly identified with the success or failure of any candidate
They are also not allowed to wear t-shirts, pins, caps, or any other similar election paraphernalia bearing the names of candidates and serve as watchers during the Election Day.
Moreover, they are also prohibited from utilizing government resources such as personnel, including job order or contract of service hires, time, and properties for political purposes.
The violations committed by the government employees are considered as an administrative offense and will be meted with the penalty of one month and one-day suspension to six months for the first offense; and dismissal from the service for the second offense according to the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service or 2017 RACCS (CSC Resolution No. 1701077 dated July 3, 2017) which superseded the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service. — Civil Service Commission
