Noy, Binay exempted from campaign ban – Comelec

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday that while civil servants, in general, are barred from campaigning for candidates, President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay are exempted from the ban.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the ban on state workers engaging in campaigning is not absolute and the President is one of the exceptions.

Sarmiento said Binay, Cabinet members and elected national and local officials are not covered by the ban “under the Constitution, because they are politicians.”

Earlier, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes warned state workers against campaigning for any candidate, saying they are risking sanctions under Civil Service rules.

But Sarmiento said that the Supreme Court had ruled in the 1960’s that several government officials, primarily those holding “political” positions, are exempted.

He said elected barangay officials are not exempted from the ruling.