(Eagle News) — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año has directed all local government units (LGUs) to clear all government facilities, properties, and vehicles of political campaign materials, stressing that all LGUs which failed to do so will immediately be reported to the poll body.
“We will not allow candidates to use government properties as a platform for their election campaign. It’s clearly prohibited. Government buildings, properties, vehicles, and equipment are for official use only and may not be used as venues or tools for partisan political activity,” Año said.
He cited Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code that bans the use of public funds, money deposited in trust, equipment, facilities owned or controlled by government for any election campaign or any partisan political activity.
Año said that LGUs which failed to comply with election prohibitions will immediately be reported to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
-No partisan activity for LGU heads, says DILG-
He said that that his department had already banned LGU officials from promoting or endorsing candidates for the May 2018 elections. They are also banned from engaging in partisan political activities, except local elective officials who, by the political nature of their position, are exempted from the ban.
“Civil service personnel are tasked to serve our country with integrity and neutrality. It’s none of our business to influence public opinion on poll bets. Let’s just do our jobs and respect the people’s ability to make informed decisions during the May elections,” Año said.
In 2016, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued Joint Resolution 1600298 prohibiting all LGU officials and employees from participating in any electioneering and partisan political activities during the campaign season, except local elective officials who, by the nature of their office, are exempted.
According to the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in CSC Resolution No. 1101502, those found guilty of partisan political activity will be charged with 1-6 months of suspension without pay on the first offense and dismissal from the service and permanent disqualification from the civil service on the second offense.
Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines considers election-related violations as criminal offenses and therefore punishes the offender with 1-6 years of imprisonment, disqualification from public office, and prohibition from exercising their voting rights.
-Public urged to report violators-
DILG Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya also urged the public to report LGUs violating the election ban to Comelec or the DILG by taking a picture of the campaign material together with a copy of the day’s newspaper.
Malaya also says that the use of vehicles and facilities for campaign purposes is also not allowed by law. “The use of government vehicles for such purposes is not ‘official’ as defined by the Civil Service Commission,” he said.
“The Comelec has promised to act on these violations immediately. There are Comelec election officers in most towns in the country. Let us help Comelec in ensuring a peaceful and honest election by reporting violations to their field offices,” he said.
Last week, Comelec ordered 34 election candidates to take down their illegal posters as the official campaign period has yet to start on March 30 for local election candidates and those vying for a spot at the House of Representatives.
The DILG likewise bans LGU officials and employees from promoting or endorsing candidates of the upcoming elections and must abstain from engaging in partisan political activities, except local elective officials who, by the political nature of their position, are exempted from the ban.
Año also asked all LGU officials to heed the President’s call for “honest and clean” elections which means adherence to all election laws and regulations.
(with a DILG release)
