Applying what we learned in the elections

PLAY fair. Don’t hit people. These are two basic learnings in All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten book by Robert Fulghum. And for sure, our Kindergarten teachers taught us the same things.

Since the 2022 national and local elections is just weeks from now, we can apply these as we see a parade of different colors. Let’s play it fair by obeying the rules of the game. Let us not destroy other candidates just because we have our personal choices.

We are in the middle of the campaign period, and the government workers are reminded again not to engage in electioneering and partisan political activity.

This refers to any act that promotes the election or defeat of a particular candidate or party to public office. So, no officer or employee in the civil service will engage or intervene in any campaign or political activity, directly or indirectly, except to vote.

We can apply all these as we avoid to be tempted to participate in any common activities in what seemingly looks like a festival during campaigns. What are these acts?

Forming organizations and groups or holding political meetings and rallies or making speeches and commentaries or publishing and displaying materials for the purpose of soliciting votes or undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate is prohibited.

Aside from that, wearing shirts or caps or any election paraphernalia bearing the name of the candidate or being a watcher for a candidate during the election or giving personal, financial, or other monetary contribution, supplies, equipment, and materials for the benefit of a candidate is also pr ohi bi t ed.

In fact, even the consistent presence in political rallies and continuous companionship with certain political candidates in political activities, causing the employee to be closely identified to the candidate is also not allowed.

These are all enshrined under Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) Joint Circular No. 001, series of 2016 and DepEd Order No. 48,s. 2018.

But the CSC clarified that civil servants are not barred from casting their votes; expressing their views on current political problems or issues; mentioning the names of candidates or parties whom they support; expressing their opinions or engaging in discussions of probable issues in the forthcoming election; or liking, commenting, sharing, reposting, and following a candidate’s account, unless these resort as a means to solicit support for or against a candidate during the campaign period.

everyone has personal choices. But these prohibitions are reminders to be clear with our roles, especially as civil servants. We serve; we do not endorse candidates. We can be politically active but let it not be with politicians but in choosing right candidates.

This is where our learnings from Kindergarten come in. Let’s play fair. We have prohibitions and these are the rules of the game. Don’t hit people as well. It does not give you a valid reason to destroy another candidate or a supporter of that candidate just because you have different views.

The interesting part here is to look at what’s going on beneath the surface. We choose wisely and smartly. We campaign for our country’s development, and this is the development of people. The greatest resource a country has is its people.

This is where the special roles of teachers come in - not about serving in the elections but developing children as young as they are to always play fair and not to hit or hurt other people. These children will become the great leaders of their generation.

Sure,