The Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded its officers and employees, along with military personnel, that they are prohibited from participating directly or indirectly in partisan political activities, except for voting.
"No officer or employee in the civil service, as well as any member of the military, shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political activity, except to vote," CSC stated in their statement on Monday.
Furthermore, they stressed that the CSC is a constitutional commission required to remain independent from partisan politics.
According to Section 261 (i) of the Omnibus Election Code (Intervention of Public Officers and Employees), any civil service officer or employee who intervenes in an election campaign or engages in partisan political activities—except for voting or maintaining public order—shall be considered guilty of an election offense.
This provides an exemption for those holding political offices, as well as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, police forces, special forces, home defense units, barangay self-defense units, and any other paramilitary groups that currently exist or may be established in the future.
The CSC stated that former CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles was observed at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) during the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy for Davao City incumbent Counselor Javi Campos, who is running as a representative of the 2nd district.
"CSC officials commented that they are expecting Chairperson Nograles to issue a categorical statement the soonest, clarifying his presence at the COMELEC field office as it relates to the foregoing prohibition," the statement read.
Malacañang confirmed on Monday that Atty. Karlo Nograles resigned from his position as Chairman of the CSC.
