Gov’t employees warned against campaigning for bets

ALICIA dela Rosa Bala, chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), warned government employees that the law prohibits them from campaigning for their bets in the upcoming 2019 elections.

WITH only a week left before the filing of the certificate of candidacies (COC) on Oct 11-17, 2018, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) warned government employees who plan to campaign for their candidates.

In a press conference on October 4, 2018, CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala said that those who will be engaging in electioneering activities can be charged for violating the Election Code and Joint Circular No. 001, series of 2016

“The moment a person has already filed his/her candidacy and if an employee starts campaigning for that person that’s already a violation of the Election Code and our joint circular,” dela Rosa-Bala said.

She clarified that expression of one’s political inclination is not a violation.

“When you are expressing your preferences or you are talking about your bets, there is no violation but the moment you start campaigning to vote for your candidate or vote this person that’s a violation,” she emphasized.

Atty. Rodolfo Encajonado, regional director of CSC Regional Office VI, said government employees who will be caught campaigning for political bets will face possible penalties such as suspension and dismissal from service depending on the gravity of offense.

“Depende sa klase ng offense or sa evidence na ipi-present. Kung minor merong suspension pero kung major na talaga sometimes dismissal from the service,” he noted.

The Omnibus Election Code penalizes electioneering and partisan political activities committed by members of the civil service and the military.

In 2016, CSC and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) also issued a joint circular on ‘political neutrality’ during the election season.

Engaging in partisan political activity that promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates include 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.

Moreover, making speeches, announcements or commentaries, or holding interviews for or against the election of any candidate for public office and directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges, or support for or against a candidate are also identified partisan political activities based on existing laws and rules.

Under the law, those who will be found guilty of engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political activities will be penalized with one month and one day suspension to six months for the first offense; and dismissal from the service for the second offense.

Meanwhile, the filling of Certificate of Candidacies (COCs) for the 2019 elections will take off on October 11-17, 2018.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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