Capitol workers told: Don't campaign

CEBU, Philippines — Capitol workers are advised to take a leave of absence or resign from work if they wish to openly campaign for their bets for the upcoming midterm elections.

“I told them (employees) to leave politics to vice governor, provincial board members, and to me kay kami man ang mga (because we are the) politicians,” Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said yesterday.

The employees were told about this during the flag-raising ceremony last Monday.

He cited Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials and employees.

Under the rules, employees who are prohibited from campaigning for or against candidates include those from the executive, legislative, judiciary, constitutional commission, and all the employees covered by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Job-order employees are not included in the prohibition since they are not directly employed by the government.

According to the CSC, the prohibition aims to ensure that government workers will remain focused on the affairs of the government, do away with the spoils system, and shield public service from political influences.

“Civil servants are mandated by law to uphold political neutrality in the conduct of their duties even more during election season,” CSC Chairperson Alicia dele Rosa-Bala said in a statement posted on their website.

A 2009 CSC resolution stipulates prohibited partisan political activities.

These 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; holding of 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 is the fourth prohibition; and soliciting votes, pledges, or support directly or indirectly for or against a candidate is also not allowed, among others.

Those who will be found guilty of engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political activities will be meted with the penalty of one month and one-day suspension to six months for the first offense and dismissal from service for the second offense as provided for under the 2017 CSC Rules on Administrative Cases.

Mock Polls

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections in Cebu City will hold mock elections in preparation for the May 13 elections.

The simulated elections will be done in the barangays of Lusaran and Mabolo. One hundred registered voters in each village will participate in the mock polls from 6 a.m. to 12 noon.

Lawyer Marchel Sarno, north district elections officer, said the mock polls will help the poll body identify and correct problems that may crop up during the elections. — KBQ (FREEMAN)