Deped to teachers: Uphold neutrality, no electioneering

THE Department of Education (Deped) on Monday issued a stern warning to all officials, teachers, and non-teaching personnel “to uphold neutrality” and not to engage in electioneering and conduct partisan political activities in relation to next week’s national and local elections.

“We call on our Deped officials and personnel to uphold political neutrality in the government service and maintain professionalism in the discharge of their duties. Failure of any Deped official or personnel to comply with the existing rules and regulations of Deped, Comelec [Commission on Elections] and CSC [Civil Service Commissions] shall be subjected to the necessary administrative actions pursuant to Deped Order 49, Series 2006 [Revised Rules of Procedure of the Department of Education in Administrative Cases], the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, and the Omnibus Election Code,” the Deped warned.

The lists of prohibited acts and excluded activities are emphasized in Deped Order No. 48, series of 2018 (Prohibition on Electioneering and Partisan Political Activity) and its attached CSC Resolution.

Moreover, the Office of the Undersecretary for Field Operations has issued an office memorandum (OM-OURO-22-030) dated March 11, 2022, addressed to all field officials and personnel reiterating existing government and Deped policies on electioneering and partisan political activities.

The Election Task Force (ETF), headed by Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua, has been visiting regions and divisions across the country to conduct briefings for Deped teachers and personnel and warn them against electioneering and partisan politics.

The Deped ETF Operation and Monitoring Center shall be established at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan starting 1 p.m. of May 8 until 5 p.m. of May 10.

The center will ensure close coordination and consultation between Comelec, Deped, and its field offices. Legal, technical, and other assistance will be given to teachers on issues, concerns, and problems that may arise before, during, and after the May 9 polls and coordination with other government agencies.