IT’S a fact that when we log into our Facebook accounts nowadays, political ads, discourses, and even gossips regarding the upcoming National Elections on May 9 are literally all around our account page. It’s easy to grasp the idea behind this as social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter have become indispensable means of communication, more so being inescapable parts of our day to day lives.
As early as January 2016, the Civil Service Commission has warned government employees to be discreet in posting and liking FB status updates that promote and support a particular candidate in the upcoming National Elections on May 9. CSC Davao Regional Director Atty. Annabelle Rosell said during a media forum that "the administrative code provided that government officials and employees should not involve in electioneering partisan political activity. We define electioneering or partisan political activity as any act that is designed to support the election or the defeat of any candidate in the local and national elections. This covers those officials and employees in the career and non-career service holding a non-political office."
According to Atty. Rosell, prohibited acts for employees and officials include forming organizations, political parties, being any member of political parties that could solicit votes for and against a political candidate, making speeches, advertisements, interviews in support of any candidate or even simple act of wearing t-shirts and ballers with the name of the candidates. In the same manner, Atty. Rosell also advised government employees to refrain from sharing commenting or liking posts because it may be interpreted that you are supporting this particular candidate.
Atty. Rosell added that any government employee who will be proven guilty of this offense for the first instance will be slapped a suspension in one month and one day to six months, and for the second offense will be dismissed from the service.
While the warning mainly concerns those in the civil service, other citizens must also be cautious in sharing and even liking posts, whether it is for or against their preferred candidates. This means that while we enjoy our freedom in expressing our support for the candidate whom we want to take the highest seat in the country, we also have to protect ourselves from being swayed and deceived by inaccurate and unreliable data being posted on social media sites.
For all we know, each camp is behind the other candidates’ negative publicities and erroneous reportage. Well, of course, that is how politics works. Ordinary citizens like us should always know the difference.