Baguio City workers warned on electioneering

By Jho Arranz

BAGUIO CITY -- City government employees here were warned on electioneering this campaign season or face penalties.

The Philippine Constitution mandates that “no officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political activity”.

Officer-in-charge and assistant city human resource management officer Edith Dawaten said this reminding city hall employees that based on the Constitutional provision, government employees must adhere to non-partisanship this election period or else suffer from sanctions.

Section 93 of Republic Act No. 7160 also known as the Local Government Code mandates that “no local official or employee in the career civil service shall engage directly or indirectly in any partisan political activity or take part in any election, initiative, referendum, plebiscite, or recall, except to vote, nor shall he use his official authority or influence to cause the performance of any political activity by any person or body.  He may, however, express his views on current issues, or mention the names of certain candidates for public office whom he supports.  Elective local officials may take part in partisan political and electoral activities, but it shall be unlawful for them to solicit contributions from their subordinates or subject these subordinates to any of the prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election code.”

Dawaten pointed out that prohibited acts for employees and officials include forming organizations, political parties, being any member of political parties that could solicit votes for and against a political candidate, holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings or other similar assemblies for the purpose of soliciting votes, making speeches, advertisements, interviews in support of any candidate or even simple act of wearing t-shirts, caps or pins with the name of the candidates.

"If they are found guilty, for the first offense, the penalty imposable is suspension for one month and one day to six months. If they are caught in second offense and they are found guilty it will be dismissal from the service," Dawaten said.

Employees are also advised to refrain from liking, commenting or sharing posts because it may be interpreted as supporting a particular candidate.

On the other hand, those exempted from the prohibition are elected officials holding elective national and local positions, personal and confidential staff for as long as they do not solicit contributions from their subordinates or subject them to any of the acts prohibited in the Omnibus Election Code.