DepEd warns: No political activities during graduation

MANILA, Philippines — Public schools are not allowed to engage in partisan political activities nor campaign for candidates during graduation and moving-up ceremonies, the Department of Education warned.

DepEd officials said teaching and non-teaching personnel are prohibited from engaging in electioneering or partisan political activity amid the upcoming midterm polls in May, per Memorandum 27 signed on March 21 by Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

Violators could face penalties, the agency said.

Excessive spending, extravagant attires or renting extraordinary venues should be avoided in conducting the rites, the DepEd said.

Expenses for graduation and moving-up rites should be charged to schools’ operating expenses and no contributions or fees must be collected, the agency noted.

End-of-school-year rites have been scheduled on April 14 to 15 for kindergarten, Grade 6, 10 and 12 students, as well as those in the Alternative Learning System.

In anticipation of intense heat waves, the DepEd reminded schools to hold rites in indoor venues with proper ventilation to avoid exposure to intense sunlight.

“Schools shall avoid scheduling their end-of-school-year rites during the time of the day when temperatures are at their highest,” the agency said.

Fake vote manipulators

Fraudsters offering victories to candidates in the May midterm polls have resurfaced, according to the Commission on Elections.

“These illegal activities stopped momentarily, but we are expecting their resurgence by April,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.

Four persons claiming they can manipulate election results were arrested in February, he recalled.

The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have been asked to stop such illegal operations, Garcia said.

Candidates should not deal with unscrupulous people, Garcia said, giving assurance that the automated election system cannot be tampered with.

Local Oplan Baklas set

Meanwhile, the poll body will mount on Friday a nationwide “Oplan Baklas” at the start of the local campaign.

Illegal campaign materials will be removed and notices will be sent to candidates for the removal of their illegal posters, billboards and tarpaulins, Garcia said.

Criminal charges will be filed against candidates who fail to remove their unauthorized campaign materials within three days, he noted.

Garcia said local elections are seen to be more violent than national elections.

He urged candidates to abide by campaign regulations to avoid penalties and prevent violence.

“On March 28, may it be national or local, we will have the power to remove illegal campaign materials,” Garcia said.

Candidates should train their people to set up campaign materials in designated areas, he said.

As for increasing complaints of red-tagging and other discrimination against candidates, Garcia said the Comelec’s Task Force Safe will look into it.

Complainants should submit evidence that they are being discriminated against by their opponents or local government units, Garcia noted.

Meanwhile, poll workers should be paid a net honorarium of P15,000, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) told the Comelec and Department of Budget and Management.

A bill exempting from income taxation the honoraria, allowances and other financial benefits of election service workers should also be certified as urgent by the Marcos administration, the group said. — Cecille Suerte Felipe