The Aksyon Demokratiko party is seeking a report from the Department of the Education (DepEd) on the possible violation of government policy against the use of public schools for political activities.
This after the Baybayog National High School (BNHS) in Alcala town in Cagayan province issued “parental consent” forms which asked the approval of the parents to allow their children to participate in a “welcome activity” for Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo set last March 12.
In a letter addressed to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones on March 11, Aksyon Demokratiko chairman Ernest Ramel said: “I am writing your good office to report a possible violation of government policy against using public schools, specifically elementary and high school students, for political activities of presidential candidates,” “This has something to do with a “Parental Consent” form issued by the Baybayog National High School located in Alcala, Cagayan province,” it stated.
DepEd, meanwhile, said it has already asked DepEd Regional Director for Region 2 (Cagayan Valley Region) Benjamin Paragas to conduct an investigation.
“We have demanded an apology from the principal. The letters of parental consent have already been withdrawn. The policy is to treat all candidates equally. We are circulating again all our issuances on partisan politics,” according to a text message from the office of the DepEd secretary.
DepEd had earlier prohibited electioneering and partisan political activity among its employees.
Presidential candidate and Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso had recently visited the provinces of Quirino, Isabela, Cagayan, and Kalinga.