CSC to gov’t workers: ‘No partisan politics!’

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

TO uphold political neutrality in government service, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has warned government employees against engaging in partisan political activities ahead of the May 2025 midterm elections.

In a statement, CSC Bicol Regional Director Atty. Daisy Punzalan Bragais reiterated that all government personnel must remain politically neutral and avoid any form of electioneering or partisan political activity.

The Joint Commission on Elections (COMELEC)-CSC Advisory on Electioneering and Partisan Political Activities (Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2016) strictly prohibits government employees from:

• Forming groups, associations, or committees to solicit votes or campaign for/against a candidate.

• Holding political rallies, caucuses, meetings, or parades for election campaigning.

• Making speeches, announcements, or media commentaries supporting or opposing a candidate.

• Publishing, distributing, or displaying campaign materials that promote or oppose a candidate.

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

• Using government resources—such as time, personnel, facilities, and equipment—for political purposes.

• Providing financial or material contributions to candidates or political parties.

• Wearing campaign-related shirts, pins, caps, or accessories, unless authorized by COMELEC.

• Serving as a watcher for a political party or candidate during the election.

Who is covered by the prohibitions?

The CSC emphasized that these restrictions apply to all government employees, regardless of their appointment status. This includes:

Personnel in all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the Philippine government.

Employees of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) with original charters and state universities and colleges (SUCs).

Career officers holding political offices in an acting or officer-in-charge (OIC) capacity.

Uniformed and active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Employees on leave of absence, as they are still bound by electioneering prohibitions.

Penalties for Violations

Government employees found guilty of engaging in partisan political activities may face administrative sanctions under the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RACCS):

First offense: Suspension of one month and one day to six months; second offense: dismissal from service, including loss of benefits and disqualification from future government employment.

The CSC also reminded government employees to exercise caution on social media, as stated in CSC Memorandum Circular No. 12, s. 2020. Among the prohibited acts are:

• Posting, sharing, or commenting on political content to solicit support for or against candidates or parties during the campaign period.

• Using government-issued devices or internet access for political discussions.

• Engaging in online arguments that could compromise public trust in government institutions.

• Disclosing official government information without proper authorization.

Call for Political Neutrality

The CSC urges all government employees to remain professional, impartial, and mindful of their responsibilities as public servants, both offline and online. By maintaining political neutrality, public servants can help ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.