Execs quit, go on leave to campaign for Muntinlupa mayor?

MANILA, Philippines - Have some officials of the Muntinlupa City government resigned or gone on indefinite leave “in order to circumvent the prohibition on electioneering,” which bars them from actively campaigning for the incumbent mayor?

The STAR called and sent text messages to Mayor Aldrin San Pedro but he has yet to respond.

However, two sources privy to the political situation in the city said these officials tendered their resignation or filed their leave of absence before the official campaign period started.

“But these are merely documents. This is just a front so they can campaign for the mayor without the fear of violating the electioneering law,” the first source said.

“And I doubt if their names were stricken off the payroll list,” the second source said.

The sources explained that since these are “officials,” they have command over the people, making it easy for the incumbent to reach the voters.

“They came to power because of their connection to the mayor. It’s either they are trustees of the mayor or were with him during his previous political battles. Now, of course, you expect them to join him again this election. But because they are in a plantilla position, they can’t do that unless they resign,” the second source said.

The Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code, aside from the Civil Service Law and the Civil Code, prohibit electioneering. Article IX (B) Section 2 (3) of the Constitution states that, “No officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign.”

Section 26 of the Omnibus Election Code said “it shall be an election offense for any officer in the civil service to directly or indirectly… engage in any partisan political activity.”

Having employees resign or go on indefinite leave is reportedly a long-standing “practice” of some local government units, according to the sources.

The second source added that during election periods, “city halls were usually run by skeletal forces because officials were pulled out to join the campaign.”

“It’s very difficult to find trustworthy people to campaign for a candidate so the tendency is they will still tap those who helped them before,” the second source said.

“So these documents are filed as a precautionary measure. In case someone questions these officials for campaigning, the city government can easily present these documents,” the second source explained.