TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN – As the election season goes into full swing and with campaigns gaining momentum, the DILG Region 02 conducted an election webinar dubbed as Taking Action, Yielding to Objective Results in the 2022 Elections or “TAYO sa 2022” on February 28, 2022.
Geared at capacitating personnel in the Civil Service, particularly those from agencies tasked with the implementation of election laws and related issuances, TAYO sa 2022 aims to address election-related concerns and clarify some issues raised both from the perspective of the general public and the implementing agencies.
Addressing the participants, majority of whom are from the PNP, BFP and DILG field officers and personnel across the region, DILG Regional Director, Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr., emphasized that public servants should be politically neutral at all times and must be mindful of the importance of knowing pertinent laws.
Joining as resource speaker to the activity were COMELEC Regional Election Director, Atty. Julius D. Torres and Atty. Mari-Grace L. Cumagun from the Civil Service Commission Region 2.
Atty. Torres discussed the campaign and fair election Rules, and other relevant COMELEC issuances including RA 10732 which provides for campaign guidelines under the new normal.
With the recent controversial issues on the tearing down and removal of unlawful election materials in the region, Atty. Torres stressed that it is the duty of the Commission (COMELEC) thru the OPERATION BAKLAS to regulate and ensure that campaign materials shall be in accordance with the law and be posted only in the authorized posting areas in public places.
He also made a run-down of RA 10732 and its importance in curbing COVID-19 during the campaign period. “We urge our candidates and the electorate to follow minimum public health protocols to ensure a safe 2022 elections”, he said.
In the afternoon session, Atty. Cumagun discussed the prohibition on electioneering and partisan political activities, and CSC Guidelines on the Use of Leave Credits for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment of COVID-19.
She highlighted the constitutional prohibition for government employees during elections expressly provided under Art. IX (B), Sec. 2 (4) of the 1987 Constitution which states that “No officer or employee of the government in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign.”
She further clarified that the prohibition in promoting the election or defeat of a candidate is applicable only for non-political government employees.
“This is to ensure that civil servants shall remain focused on the efficient administration of the affairs of the government and to shield officers and employees from the vagaries of politics. This however allows elected officials, except Punong Barangays, to engage in partisan political activities,” she said.
During his closing remarks, Dir. Leusen expressed his gratitude and appreciation to both lawyers for sharing their knowledge to the participants.
The DILG Region 02, through its Bantay- Korapsyon Program, is one with the Commission on Elections in ensuring safe and reliable 2022 national and local elections.
SOURCE: RONEL Q. OANDASAN
