DepEd reminds teachers not to engage in partisan political activities

Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Tuesday reminded teaching and non-teaching personnel of the agency not to engage in any partisan political activities in connection with the upcoming midterm elections.

"The policy applies not only to party-list members but everyone else who may... usually teachers are members of various organizations and associations aside from party-lists. Very very clear ang Civil Service on the prohibited acts because teachers also have the right to vote but the acts listed in the Civil Service Commission circular are clearly prohibited," Briones said at a press briefing.

Briones cited Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 48 which has identified the actions considered as partisan political activities. Some of the activities include:

• Forming organization for the purpose of soliciting votes;
• Making speeches or commentaries, holding interviews for or against the election of any candidate;
• Publishing, displaying and distributing campaigned materials designed to support or oppose the election of a candidate;
• Receiving any contribution for political purposes;
• Wearing t-shirts, pins, or caps or any other campaign paraphernalia;
• Being a watcher for a political party or candidate; and
• Utilizing government resources such as personnel.

According to Briones, DepEd officials are also "prohibited to use their positions to influence teaching and non-teaching personnel to support any candidate or political party."

Briones said the agency keeps on reminding teachers so that everything would be clear and organized for the upcoming polls.

"Para maremind ang aming mga official of what they already know. Kailangang i-repeat kasi pwedeng namang mamisinterpret kaya uulit-ulitin namin 'yan," she said.

Briones also said officials of the executive branch of government must show a sense of political neutrality.

"It must be emphasized that an official of the executive branch of government is different from other branches of government... ang executive side very clear 'yung political neutrality," Briones said.

"An official has access to people, to resources. The power to influence is very irresistible. It has to be closely regulated," she added.

Amid this, the DepEd assured the teachers that they can still express their personal political views.

"It's when the action already amount to express solicitation or promotion of a party for electoral purposes. But if it is intimately connected to one's right to vote, that appears to be the drawing distinction..." said DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan. — RSJ, GMA News