The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has warned that individuals and groups who use the agency’s name and logo in unscrupulous activities may face criminal charges and imprisonment.
The CSC said no person or organization has been granted permission to use its name and logo, including the former CSC emblem, for any activities or online promotions, including but not limited to enrollment for review classes, recruitment, solicitation, and material production.
CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said the unauthorized use of the agency’s logo and name is considered deceptive practice.
He added that individuals or organizations that do not have written consent, endorsement, or approval from the CSC will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.
“We have received reports about the unauthorized use of the CSC logo, which misleads the public and undermines the integrity of our services. To prevent potential fraud and misinformation, we strongly advise the public to be vigilant by verifying first the authenticity of any communication or transaction with entities claiming to represent the Commission,” Nograles said in a statement on Monday, Feb. 12.
There have also been reports of unscrupulous individuals using the names of CSC officials and employees to harass employees of other government agencies in order to force them to repay certain loans and obligations owed to individuals or lending institutions.
CSC cited that under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, usurpation of authority or official functions is committed when a person knowingly and falsely represent himself to be an officer, agent or representative of any department or agency of the Philippine Government or of any foreign government, or who, under pretense of official position, shall perform any act pertaining to any person in authority or public officer of the Philippine Government or any foreign government, or any agency thereof, without being lawfully entitled to do so. Violators found guilty of this crime shall be meted with punishment of imprisonment.
Nograles advised the public to immediately report to the CSC any encounter with individuals or group claiming to represent the agency.
He pointed out that CSC only has one official account on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and that each CSC Regional Office has one official Facebook page.