Social media policy out for Capitol employees

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government is imposing stricter policy on the use of social media by the Capitol employees.

Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino issued a memorandum dated April 30, 2018 on social media policy to be observed by all Capitol employees.

Tolentino said regardless of employment status, all personnel are prohibited from posting or commenting, using their social media accounts about their complaints on their tasks, work premises, colleagues, immediate superiors, and or officials.

“Work related grievance should be channeled properly to the Committee on Discipline and Investigation (CODI) for its resolution,” read Tolentino’s memorandum.

Personnel assigned to handle official social media account of the Cebu provincial government are prohibited to use the accounts personally.

“All are required to be prudent with their acts online when using their social media accounts in order to be compliant to the applicable laws,” Tolentino said.

He cited Republic Act 6713 also known as the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; RA 10175 (Anti-Cybercrime Law); RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment; and other applicable resolutions, ordinances, rules and regulations, jurisprudence, among others.

Tolentino stressed that social media accounts should be used in good faith in promoting easy access of information and communications among employees and officials.

“Any relevant violation will be reflected on the employee’s applicable work performance records after following the required due process,” Tolentino further said.

Tolentino earlier figured in a controversy when photos and videos of Capitol workers working in drainage project of the village where he lives in Banilad, Cebu City were posted on Facebook.

Tolentino admitted using Capitol-owned materials in the drainage project but clarified that the culverts were donated by the provincial government to the homeowners’ association where he was also president for two years from 2016. (FREEMAN)