The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a ruling allowing elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to participate in partisan political activities for the May 2025 elections, citing a Supreme Court (SC) decision that the prohibition applies only to civil service officers and employees.
Under Comelec Minute Resolution 24-1001, the poll body resolved “to exclude elected barangay and SK officials from the coverage of the prohibition against intervention in any election campaign or engagement in partisan political activities.”
The ruling upholds the SC’s interpretation that elected officials are not part of the civil service and, therefore, are not restricted from political involvement.
However, the Comelec clarified that the exemption is subject to limitations.
“They do not solicit contributions from their subordinates or subject them to any of the acts prohibited in the Omnibus Election Code, particularly Section 261(i),” the resolution stated.
The resolution also covers government personnel under job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) arrangements, stating that they are likewise not bound by the civil service restrictions on political participation.
“The conscious and recurrent use of the term ‘civil service’ in the above discussion only reinforces the intent to limit the applicability of the prohibition to those in the civil service,” the Comelec explained.
Despite the exemption, the Comelec warned against the misuse of government resources.
“This shall be without prejudice to the liability of any person who would use, under any guise whatsoever, directly or indirectly, public funds or money to employ JO and COS workers for the purpose of any election campaign or partisan political activity,” the resolution stated.
Meanwhile, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) reiterated on March 17 its warning to government employees against engaging in partisan political activities, urging them to uphold political neutrality ahead of the midterm elections.
Under Joint COMELEC-CSC Advisory No. 1, s. 2016, prohibited acts include soliciting votes, organizing rallies, wearing campaign materials, misusing government resources for political purposes, and providing financial support to candidates.
The CSC also warned that any violation could lead to severe administrative sanctions, including suspension or dismissal from government service.
Moreover, the CSC urged employees to exercise caution when using social media and avoid political content, especially when discussing matters that could compromise the impartiality expected of public servants.
The campaign period for local candidates will run from March 28 to May 10, 2025.
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