Verzosa issues more guidelines to policemen

MANILA, Philippines - After issuing his 10 commandments, Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa issued guidelines on actions which should not be done by policemen nationwide.

Verzosa said there are specific actions which civil servants should not do during elections.

“All PNP members are directed to refrain from engaging in prohibited acts during the conduct of the May 10, 2010 elections,” Verzosa said.

The PNP chief specifically cited Section 8, Rule 13 on prohibitions as provided in the Civil Service Commission Circular No.40, Series of 1998, which said “no officer or employee in the civil service including members of the Armed Forces, shall engage directly or indirectly in any partisan political activity except to vote nor shall he use his official authority or influence to coerce the political activity or any other person or body.”

Verzosa said prohibited acts include: Forming organizations, associations, clubs or groups of persons for the purpose of soliciting votes or undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate; Holding of caucuses, conferences, meetings or rally for the purpose of soliciting votes or undertaking any campaign or propaganda for, or against a candidate; Making speeches, announcements or commentaries 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; and directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges or support for or against a candidate.

Others are: Being a delegate to any political convention or member of any political committee or any officer of any political club or other similar political organizations; making speeches or publications to draw political support in behalf of a particular party or candidate; Directly or indirectly soliciting or receiving contribution for political purposes; and becoming publicly identified with the success or failure of any candidate.

Earlier, Verzosa issued his 10 policy guidelines to be observed by all members of the PNP in the forthcoming may 10 national elections.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said the 10 policy guidelines is timely and appropriate with the nationwide observance of the Holy Week and defines the proper conduct and decorum of all police officers during the election period.

Guidelines

He said copies of the 10 policy guidelines, translated in Filipino, will be circulated in all PNP units nationwide and will be echoed down the line in the scheduled meeting of the PNP Command Group with all chiefs of police in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao starting next week.

The Ten Policy Guidelines of the chief PNP are: Fear God, Love your country and the sanctity of the ballots; Focus only on your solemn oath to serve and protect the people; Honor your badge and use your authority to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections; Remember that election day is sacred. You and your fellowmen have a sacred duty to exercise your right to vote; Honor and follow only the PNP established chain of command.

The other guidelines are: Respect human rights, protect the environment and enforce all laws without fear or favor; Love your job as an act of faithfulness to your family; Respect and protect the sanctity of your vote and the vote of others; Ensure the truthfulness and integrity of all your reports; Do not spread rumors and falsehood; and Be content and support whoever gets the mandate of the people.

Verzosa issued his 10 policy guidelines as he reminded anew all PNP personnel of the prohibited acts during the election period. “As public servants, PNP personnel are mandated to remain neutral in the conduct of national and local elections and concentrate instead on keeping peace in the polls.” Verzosa said this in a memorandum circulated to all PNP Units on Holy Week. – Cecille Suerte Felipe