DepEd: Inviting candidates to graduation rites ‘highly discouraged’

While not prohibited, inviting candidates running for the May 2019 elections to graduation rites is "highly discouraged," Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

"Inviting candidates to graduations is not prohibited per se, but it is highly discouraged this election season because it may be misinterpreted as endorsement of candidate by our principals and teachers," Briones said in a statement Tuesday.

"However, if invitation and/or attendance of a candidate is supported by valid and compelling reason, our officials are warned that this cannot degenerate into an endorsement or solicitation of votes," she added.

Schools have been asked to see to it that the graduation speaker "sticks to theme," and does "not bring campaign materials or paraphernalia."

DepEd has also enumerated acts of electioneering and partistan politics in an earlier memorandum issued last month.

"All officers and employees of DepEd are enjoined to be guided accordingly," the statement said.

According to Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan in a radio interview, acts of electioneering includes holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades, or other similar assemblies for the purpose of soliciting votes and undertaking a campaign for or against a candidate or party.

He added that making speeches, announcements or commentaries or holding interviews for or against the election of any candidate or party for public office, directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges or support for or against any candidate or party is also considered an act of electioneering

DepEd had said earlier that it would consider prohibiting candidates from speaking in graduation rites during the campaign period.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also made a similar appeal to schools not to invite candidates in their graduation rites. —Margaret Claire Layug/ LDF, GMA News