@edd1819 / @bluestar0910 / SDN — Science and Digital News
BARMM News, short URL: https://wp.me/paaccn-hyc
(SDN) — On February 11, 2022, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded government workers against engaging in electioneering and partisan political activity.
The 1987 Constitution and other laws and statutes prohibit such acts “to ensure that civil servants are focused on the discharge of their duties and functions and to insulate them from politics,” the CSC emphasized.
This reminder — which it expresses every election period — came amid the forthcoming national and local elections on May 09, 2022.
On January 24, 2019, CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala made the same reminder as the country was preparing then for the May 13 political exercise.
“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,” she said.
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) headed by Minister Mohagher Iqbal, echoed the same reminders.
Apparently, Iqbal, who wears many hats in the Mindanao peace process, warned all teachers under the ministry, as well as principals, supervisors, and Division superintendents to avoid openly displaying their support for any candidate. He was quoted by 89.3 Brigada Cotabato City, a news platform on Facebook.
The education minister of BARMM pointed out that school officials are not prohibited from exercising their vote whoever is their choice in the coming elections.
Iqbal made the reminder in relation with reports he received recently that two teachers in a school division office in Matanog, Maguindanao, were reportedly engaging in partisan politics, openly showing their support for a candidate.
To stop the two teachers’ election-related activities and prevent others from following suit, the MBHTE head issued a “show-cause order” to the Maguindanao II Division personnel. Their names were withheld.
To recall, the CSC had issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 30, s. 2009 which identified what it deemed are partisan political activities, acts designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate/s to a public office (parts of which are reproduced here):
- 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 for or against the election of any candidate for public office;
- 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; or
- Directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges, or support for or against a candidate;
In addition, 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; making speeches or publications to draw political support in behalf of any particular party or candidate for public office; soliciting or receiving contribution for political purposes, either directly or indirectly; and becoming publicly identified with the success or failure of any candidate/s or party/ies are also considered partisan political activities and are grounds for disciplinary action.
CSC Memorandum Circular No. 9, series of 1992 also identified the following as prohibited acts:
- Using government vehicles in attending political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades, or other similar assemblies/activities conducted by a political party or candidates;
- Posting and distributing of campaign materials/leaflets/banners/sti
ckers designed to support or oppose the election of any candidate; - Wearing of t-shirts or pins, caps, or any other similar election paraphernalia bearing the names of the candidates and/or political party except as authorized by the Commission on Elections;
- Registering as a member of any political club/party or any other political organization;
- 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 party is said political activities, causing an employee to be closely identified with such candidate and/or with political party;
- Giving personal financial or other monetary contribution, supplies, equipment, and materials for the benefit of a candidate and/or political party;
- Utilizing properties, supplies, materials, and equipment of the government for political purposes;
- Any other circumstances that may be considered analogous with that of the aforementioned.
The CSC, meanwhile, said anyone found guilty of engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political activities will be meted with a penalty of one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6) months suspension 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).
On the other hand, the CSC emphasized that government workers are not prohibited from casting their vote, or expressing their minds on political issues, among other allowed activities related to politics. (✓)