FILE PHOTO.This picture was taken in May 2013. A passerby ignores the campaign posters of both local and national candidates that practically cover this side of Davao City’s Buhangin District. (davaotoday.com photo by Wether b. Saldaña)
DAVAO CITY — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) XI warned government employees against showing their support for a certain candidate in the May elections.
Regional Director CSC XI Atty. Annabelle B. Rosell clarified the constitutional provision which prohibits a government official or employee who are directly or indirectly engaged in political activities.
“No officer or employee in the government shall engage directly or indirectly in any election hearing or partisan political activity. So, that is the prohibition provided under the constitution of the government officials and employees,” Rosell said, citing Section 2(4), Article IX-B of the 1987 Constitution.
She said partisan activity is any act that is designed “to support the election or defeat of any candidate” in any election either local or national elections.
“This covers those officials and employees in the career and non-career service not holding political office,” said Rosell.
Rosell said political offices are the offices of elected officials, including the office of the president, vice president, executive secretaries, department secretaries and other cabinet members.
“All elective positions at all levels, national and local, and then the personal staff of these officials, they are considered as the political offices . They may, to a certain extent, engage in election hearing or partisan political activities, however, there are also conditions when and where they can exercise these activities,” she said.
Rosell said these employees can engage in election hearing and partisan activities “provided no government resource or facility is used.”
Rosell also advised government employees from “sharing, liking” a post in social media in support of a candidate “because it may be interpreted that you are supporting this particular candidate,” she said.
If a government worker, especially those who are not holding political office, is proven to have violated the law for the first time, he or she will be suspended for one month and one day to six months, said Rosell.
Meanwhile, second time offenders will be dismissed from service. (With a report from Evangeline Adalid, Davao Today Intern)
