The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 2 (DILG-R2) has joined a webinar to address the concerns of the public and government agencies for the May 9 elections.
Dubbed as “TAYO sa 2022 (Taking Action, Yielding to Objective Results in the 2022 Elections), it aims to clarify the issues raised by the public and the implementing agencies on the guidelines set by the Commission on Election (Comelec).
“It is also geared at capacitating personnel from agencies tasked with the implementation of election laws and related issuances,’’ the DILG said.
DILG Region 2 Director Jonathan Paul Leusen Jr. emphasized that the “public servants should be politically neutral at all times and must be mindful of the importance of knowing pertinent laws.
Aside from the DILG, representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Comelec, Civil Service Commission (CSC) among others attended the webinar.
The resource speakers in the event were Comelec Regional Election Director Atty. Julius D. Torres and Atty. Mari-Grace L. Cumagun of CSC Regional Office.
Torres discussed the campaign and fair election rules, and other relevant Comelec directive specifically Republic Act (RA) 10732 which are the campaign guidelines under the Covid-19 new normal system.
With the recent controversies on the tearing down and removal of unlawful election materials in the region, Torres insisted that it is the duty of the Comelec to regulate and ensure that the campaign materials shall be in accordance with the law and be posted only in the authorized posting areas.
He also discussed RA 10732 and its importance in curbing COVID-19 during the campaign period.
“We urge our candidates and the electorate to follow minimum public health protocols to ensure a safe 2022 elections,” Torres said.
For her part, Cumagun discussed the prohibition on electioneering and partisan political activities with emphasis on the constitutional prohibition for government employees during elections expressly provided under Article IX (B), Section 2 (4) of the 1987 Constitution.
She clarified that the prohibition in promoting the election or defeat of a candidate is applicable only for non-political government employees.
“This is to ensure that civil servants shall remain focused on the efficient administration of the affairs of the government and to shield officers and employees from the vagaries of politics. This however allows elected officials, except Punong Barangays, to engage in partisan political activities,” Cumagun said. (Chito A. Chavez)