DILG warns Cordillera civic groups: Be impartial in May 2025 midterm polls or lose accreditation
By Chito Chavez
At A Glance
- DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2022-083 prohibits civil society organization from engaging primarily in, or utilizing their organization primarily for, partisan political activities.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government – Cordillera (DILG-CAR) called on all the civil society organization (CSO) representatives in the various Local Special Bodies (LSBs) and Local People’s Councils (LPC) in the region not to engage in any form of “partisan political activities’’ ahead of the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.
DILG-CAR Director Araceli reminded the department’s partner CSO of the local government units (LGUs) that are “engaging in or using your respective organizations for any partisan political-related activities’’ are grounds for revocation of accreditation.”
She explained that DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2022-083, the policy outlining the guidelines for accreditation of CSOs and selection of representatives to the LSBs, prohibits CSOs from engaging primarily in, or utilizing their organization primarily for, partisan political activities.
San Jose also warned the LPCs of the same as Section 6.4 of DILG MC No. 2021-054 states that the Sanggunian may revoke the recognition of the LPC if the Council or its members partake in such partisan political activities.
“Activities of this nature are, but not limited to, the explicit promotion of election or defeat of any candidate or political party, soliciting votes for a certain candidate, or mobilizing the organization for the sole purpose of electioneering,’’ San Jose stressed.
San Jose reiterated that the LGUs, in coordination with their respective DILG Field Offices, may establish their own mechanisms in addressing non-compliance of CSOs to the said provisions.
She also enjoined the public to report any cases of CSOs engaging in partisan political activities to their LGUs’ CSO Desks.
“We are reminding our CSOs to be impartial and to maintain their autonomy to ensure that the people’s interest is ultimately upheld in our local governments,” warned.