Gov't employees can wear colored clothes to support candidates — Guanzon

Wearing clothes at the office with colors that appear to promote particular candidates in the May 9 elections is not a breach of civil service rules, according to former Commission on Elections commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Saturday.

"Hindi bawal 'yan. Eh ano ngayon kung gusto mong mag-pink? Gusto mong mag-blue? Gusto mong mag-red? Kung gusto mong mag-black... Kung mag-black ka na ribbon as armband mo, that's your right, freedom of expression 'yan," Guanzon said at a forum organized by the Kawani Kontra Daya, a network of current and former state employees.

(That is not prohibited. So what if you want to wear pink? If you want to wear blue, if you want to wear red, if you want to wear black...If you want to wear a black ribbon as your armband, that's your right. That's freedom of expression.)

Government unions conducting mock elections, according to Guanzon, are not violating the law if they do it outside of office hours.

"There is no prohibition with that. That's also freedom of expression so your group could determine who are supporting blue, or green... provided it is not conducted during office hours," she said.

Guanzon, meanwhile, labeled it as "repression" if educational institutions require students to wear prominent colors in general assemblies to promote national candidates who will be passing through their campuses.

"Kung state university 'yan, dapat tanungin sila ano basis sa civil service rule?... Ibig sabihin pagsusupil 'yan," Guanzon said.

(If it's a state university, they should be asked what their basis is according to the civil service rules...That is repression.)

Under the joint circular issued by the Comelec and the Civil Service Commission, government employees are prohibited from engaging in these activities during the election season:

• Forming organizations, associations, clubs, committees, or other groups of persons for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate/party;

• Holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades, or other similar assemblies for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate/party;

• Making speeches, announcements, or commentaries, or holding interviews for or against the election of any candidate/party for public office;

• Publishing, displaying, or distributing campaign literature or materials designed to support or oppose the election of any candidate/party; or

• Directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges, or support for or against a candidate/party. 

• Being a watcher for a political party or candidate during the election;

•Wearing of T-shirts or pins, caps, or any other similar election paraphernalia bearing the names of the candidates or political party except as authorized by the Comelec;

• Consistent presence in political rallies, caucuses of, and continuous companionship with certain political candidates and/or political party in said political activities, causing the employee to be closely identified with such candidate and/or political party;

• Giving personal, financial, or other monetary contribution, supplies, equipment, and materials for the benefit of a candidate and/or political party;

• Utilizing government resources such as personnel including job orders or contract of service hires, time, and properties for political purposes. — VBL, GMA News