Be non-partisan, teachers urged

MANILA, Philippines - Education Secretary Mona Dumlao-Valisno yesterday reminded all employees of the Department of Education (DepEd) not to engage in partisan politics because it is prohibited by law.

“I call on the entire department, especially the superintendents who will serve in the Board of Canvassers, and the teachers who will serve in the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) in the various precincts nationwide, to preserve the integrity and dignity of the education sector by not engaging directly or indirectly in electioneering or any partisan political activity except to vote,” Valisno said.

She said all DepEd employees found engaging in partisan politics will be charged at the administrative level.

Valisno said education employees should serve as role models for all government employees by maintaining neutrality.

DepEd spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the prohibition against engaging in partisan politics covers the abuse of authority in influencing voters to support a particular candidate.

“Civil Service Law expressly prohibits government employees from engaging directly or indirectly in any partisan political activity or taking part in any election except to vote. This also includes using official authority or influence to coerce the political activity of any person, party, or body,” Malaya said.

Malaya said they are looking into reports that some DepEd officials and public school teachers have been campaigning for certain political parties.

Malaya likewise urged the public to report any incidences of electioneering involving education employees to the nearest DepEd division or regional office. They may also report directly to the office of Undersecretary Franklin Sunga at 633-7205 or call the DepEd Action Center at 636-1663 or send a text message to 0919-456-0027.

“DepEd officials and employees are also deputies of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), hence any hint or suspicion of impropriety should be avoided at all times. Thus, we urge the public to be vigilant and help the DepEd ensure the success of our first ever automated elections,” Malaya said.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the upcoming May 10 elections are important because the country “stands at a crucial moment of transition.”

“The country is in a critical situation. The need for true moral and social transformation is universally felt: in the erosion of moral values, in truly widespread corruption and dishonesty all around us, and in the decline of integrity of conduct in so many of our private and public institutions,” CBCP president Bishop Nereo Odchimar said.

He said the people are pinning their hopes on the upcoming elections.

“The elections provide a means for our people to take strong and decisive steps toward urgent renewal, toward changes,” Odchimar said.