A teachers' group, on Thursday, April 10, voiced concern over the potential effects of the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) new guidelines on political neutrality, noting that these could infringe on educators’ right to free speech and stifle critical discourse in academic spaces.

“Teachers are citizens first and foremost,” said Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) national chairperson Benjo Basas.

In Memorandum Circular No. 3, Series of 2025, the CSC reminded government employees to be mindful of their social media activity during the campaign period for the May 2025 elections.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/10/gov-t-employees-urged-to-maintain-political-neutrality

TDC acknowledged the CSC’s efforts to remind public servants—including teachers—of their duty to uphold political neutrality in accordance with the law.

“While we do not, and will not, engage in acts that violate the parameters set by the Circular, we must remain free to speak out on matters of national concern, especially those that directly impact education,” Basas said.

Basas pointed out that, as public school teachers, they understand their responsibility to maintain professionalism and impartiality, especially in the context of elections.

“However, we firmly assert that the obligation to maintain political neutrality must not be misconstrued as a blanket restriction on our fundamental right to freedom of expression,” Basas added.

The TDC emphasized that even CSC-COMELEC Joint Circular No. 1, Series of 2016, acknowledges that government employees are “not prohibited” from expressing their views on important political matters or naming candidates they support, as long as these actions are done outside the scope of partisan political activity.

“We have every right to advocate for meaningful reforms, demand accountability from our leaders, and express our support for honest, competent, and progressive politics,” Basas said.

“Likewise, we reserve the right to voice our strongest opposition to corrupt, inept, and regressive leadership,” he added.