The Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued a reminder to the 1.9 million government employees across the country, urging them to refrain from participating in electioneering and partisan activities as the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election candidates conduct their campaigns between 19 October and 28 October 2023.
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 noted that the 1987 Constitution mandates that no officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in these acts. The same prohibition can be found in the CSC – Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Joint Circular No. 1, series of 2016 promulgated on 29 March 2016.
“The Commission acknowledges civil servants’ shared desire to contribute to improved public service delivery through electoral participation. However, we must remain mindful not to engage in electioneering or partisan activities during this period.”
CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles advised government employees, “The Commission acknowledges civil servants’ shared desire to contribute to improved public service delivery through electoral participation. However, we must remain mindful not to engage 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 Philippine government; career officers holding political offices in an acting or officer-in-charge (OIC) 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.
In particular, civil servants are not allowed to engage in the following acts:
- 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/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.
Furthermore, the joint circular also prohibits the following acts:
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;
- Becoming publicly identified with the success or failure of any candidate/s or party/ies;
- Wearing of 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 Commission on Elections;
- 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; and
- Utilizing government resources such as personnel, including job orders or contract of service hires, time, and properties for political purposes.
