CSC clarifies: JOs can campaign

CEBU, Philippines - The Civil Service Commission-7 has made it clear that workers hired under job-order arrangement are not covered by the prohibition on electioneering and partisan political activity.

The agency made the clarifications following several queries on whether job-order and casual employees are also prohibited from engaging in political activities during election period.

It explained that nature of contracts of job order workers are covered by the Commission on Audit and Department of Budget and Management rules and regulations, not that of CSC.

“The constitutional, statutory and other regulatory prohibitions made no mention as to the propriety of job orders engaging in prohibited activities. In this regard, job orders and (workers under) contracts of services are not covered by the Civil Service Rules, Laws and Regulations for services rendered therein are not considered government service,” the CSC explained in a letter sent to The FREEMAN.

It, however, stressed that utilizing government resources such as properties and personnel including job orders or workers is prohibited as provided for under a joint circular of the Commission on Elections and CSC.

According to Comelec-CSC Joint Circular No.1, series of 2006, persons who are prohibited from engaging in any electioneering and partisan political activities are members of the Civil Service in all branches and instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, whether their appointments are permanent, temporary, or even casual.

Also prohibited are career officers holding political offices in an acting or officer-in-charge capacity, and uniformed and active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

The CSC earlier said government officials and employees who are on leave of absence are also covered by the prohibition.

However, officials or employees holding political offices such as the President, Vice President, Cabinet members, elective local officials except barangay officials, the staff of the abovementioned officials, and members of the reserve corps of the AFP are excluded from the prohibition.

Wearing of T-shirts, pins, caps, or any other similar election paraphernalia bearing the names of candidates or political parties is among the activities that civil servants should refrain from doing.

Among the considered partisan political activities are forming organizations, associations, clubs, committees, or other groups of persons, holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades or other similar assemblies, making speeches, announcements or commentaries, and publishing or distributing campaign literature or materials, all for the purpose of soliciting votes or undertaking  any campaign or propaganda for or against a candidate.

Further, civil servants are also prohibited from being a watcher for a political party or candidate during the election, having consistent presence in political rallies, caucuses of, and continuous companionship with certain political candidates and/or political party.

Also prohibited are receiving financial or monetary contributions, supplies, equipment, and materials for the benefit of a candidate and/or political party, and utilizing government resources such as personnel, including job order or contract of service hirees, time, and properties for political purposes.

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 the service for the second offense, in accordance with the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service. — (FREEMAN)