CSC: Gov't personnel liking, sharing political posts may face suspension

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has issued a memorandum prohibiting government officials and employees from participating in partisan political activity, including liking, sharing, among others, social media posts during the campaign period for the May 12, 2025 polls. 

The prohibition is stated under Memorandum Circular 3-2025 or the Reminder Not to Engage in Partisan Political Activities During the Campaign Period of the 2025 Midterm Elections, citing the 1987 Constitution, among other existing laws, as basis.  

"Government officials and employees are further reminded to be prudent when using social media. Social media functions such as liking, comment[ing], sharing, re-posting, or following a candidate's or party's account are considered as partisan political activity" if these are resorted to as means to solicit support for or against a candidate or party during the campaign period," the memorandum read.

"Given their nature, the prohibited activities may be committed not only during but also outside office hours for the duration of the campaign period. It may also be committed even outside office premises," the memorandum added.

The 1987 Constitution states that "no officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign" and that "no member of the military shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any partisan political activity, except to vote."  

The same prohibition, the CSC said, is also found under the Administrative Code of 1987, Omnibus Election Code, and Local Government Code.

Persons covered by the prohibition against engaging in partisan political activity include:

• members of the civil service in all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the Philippine government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations with original charters, and state universities and colleges, whether their appointments are permanent, temporary, contractual, or even casual;
• career officers holding political offices in an acting or officer-in-charge capacity;
• uniformed and active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police; and
• barangay officials.

The commission of any of the prohibited acts is punishable by suspension of one month to six months for the first offense and dismissal from the service for the second offense.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

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