AS recently as May of this year, the Civil Service Commission reiterated its warning that “no officer or employee in the civil service, as well as any member of the military, shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political activity, except to vote.” At the time, the CSC chairman emphasized that “civil servants are mandated by law to uphold political neutrality in the conduct of their duties even more during election season.”
In this connection, the CSC has defined the term “partisan political activities” to refer to acts designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates to a public office. These activities 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;
Holding 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;
Directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges, or support for or against a candidate;
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; and
Becoming publicly identified with the success or failure of any candidate/s or party/ies.
In addition to these acts, the CSC also identified the following as being strictly prohibited:
Wearing of t-shirts, pins, caps, or any other similar election paraphernalia bearing the names of candidates and/or political parties;
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 party, making one closely identified with such candidates or party;
Giving, soliciting, or 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 found guilty of any of these acts will be dealt the penalty of one month and a day to six months’ suspension, for the first offense; and dismissal from the service for the second offense according to the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service or 2017 RACCS (CSC Resolution 1701077 dated July 3, 2017).
Interestingly, the CSC has carved out something of an exception when it comes to social media. According to a joint circular issued by the CSC and the Comelec just before the 2016 national and local elections, “social- media functions such as ‘liking,’ ‘commenting,’ ‘sharing,’ reposting, or following a candidate’s or party’s account,” would generally not be considered electioneering or partisan political activity.