Government officials told to avoid partisan politics

MANILA, Philippines - All government officials and employees are prohibited from directly or indirectly engaging in partisan political activities, the Civil Service Commission said yesterday.

“As the election is fast approaching, the Commission deems it necessary to remind all public servants not to engage in partisan political activities,” CSC acting chairperson Cesar Buenaflor said in a statement.

The commission said that it already issued in 1998 a memorandum circular defining “partisan political activity” as “an act designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates to a public office.”

Such activities include forming groups to solicit votes, holding political meetings or rallies, making speeches or accommodating interviews, publishing or distributing campaign materials, and directly or indirectly soliciting votes.

Delegation to any political convention or membership in political committees, clubs and organizations is also considered partisan political activity.

It also includes soliciting or receiving contributions for campaigns, and being publicly identified with any candidate.

CSC said that under the Administrative Code of 1987, employees who participate in partisan political activities may be dismissed from service.     – Reinir Padua