By Hilda Austria/PNA
DAGUPAN CITY — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) office in Western Pangasinan has warned government workers in the province that campaigning or endorsing for or against candidates is prohibited and punishable by law.
Romel Rivera, senior human resource specialist of CSC-Western Pangasinan, cited provisions on CSC Resolution No. 1600298, the joint circular of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and CSC No. 001 series of 2016 about the rules and regulations on electioneering and partisan political activity.
Rivera, however, clarified that expressing one’s personal political views is not prohibited by the law.
“Halimbawa, sasabihin mo gusto mong iboto ang isang kandidato dahil magaling siya, okay yon dahil personal mong opinion. Pero kapag sinabi mo na iboto natin ang isang kandidato dahil magaling siya, hindi pwede iyon dahil nangangampanya ka na niyan (For example, you would say I would vote for this candidate because he is good, that is okay because it is your personal opinion. But if you say let us vote for this candidate because he is good, that is considered campaigning for a candidate),” he told government employees and guests at the Public Information Officer forum on Thursday here.
Rivera also discouraged government employees from sharing campaign ads on their Facebook accounts.
“Any violator, on first offense, will face one to six months suspension without salary and with gap in the service, which would later affect loyalty benefits. If again the offense is repeated, that would mean dismissal from service,” he noted.
Rivera further asked government employees to review the Republic Act 6718, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for government employees for further guidance.
