DepEd: No ban, but inviting bets to graduation rites 'highly discouraged'

MANILA, Philippines — Schools can still invite candidates to speak at their graduation rites, the Department of Education said Tuesday while also discouraging the practice because of the coming May elections.

The Commission on Elections and the Department of the Interior and Local Government said as early as February that public schools and government agencies shoud refrain from inviting candidates to official functions like graduation rites to avoid seeming partisan. 

In a statement on Tuesday, DepEd said there is no outright ban on inviting candidates as guest speakers at the ceremonies, but also said "it is highly discouraged this election season because it may be misinterpreted as endorsement of candidate by our principals and teachers."

The department acknowledged that there may be "valid and compelling reasons" to invite a candidate or for someone running for office to attend the graduation rites, DepEd said its officials "are warned that this cannot degenerate into an endorsement or solicitation of votes."

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It said candidates who are invited as guest speakers should stick to the theme and should not bring their campaign materials or paraphernalia to the event. 

Department Order 048-2018 lists activities that are considered partisan political activities and that are therefore prohibited. These include forming groups and organizations to solicit votes or otherwise campaign for candidates. DepEd officials are also prohibited from holding caucuses and similar events for or against a candidate or party.

"DepEd officials are prohibiting their position of authority to influence teaching and/or non teaching personnel under their supvervision or jurisdiction to suport any preferred candidate or party," the order also reads.