AS THE school year nears its end, the Department of Education (DepEd) 7 cautioned incumbent officials and candidates that graduation rites are not platforms for political campaigns.
Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, DepEd 7 director, told SunStar Cebu on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, that while public schools cannot prevent public officials, especially if an alumnus is invited as a guest, from speaking during graduation events, any form of political promotion and campaign are strictly discouraged.
Instead, he urged them to focus on their inspirational message to the graduates.
“Dili sila modiskurso nga nilansar ko, ako botari ug unsa pa,” said Jimenez.
(They shouldn’t campaign for themselves or endorse a candidate.)
The directive comes as public schools prepare for the closing of the 2024–2025 academic year, with many graduation ceremonies set to take place on Monday and Tuesday, April 14 to 15, for Kindergarten and Grades 6, 10 and 12 students.
Jimenez said there will be instances that incumbent officials might be invited to share a message, deliver a speech or attend the graduation ceremonies.
He urged the officials not attend the ceremony if they will just use the rites for campaigning, adding that in doing so they will subject themselves to electioneering, which is an election offense.
Attendance
“I really appreciate some LGUs (local government units) nga naa mi mga regional events and academic activities kay pag-attend nako moingon dayon si mayor willing mo-attend unta pero naay delicadeza nga dili nalang siya mo-attend kay tungod sa election,” said Jimenez.
(I really appreciate LGUs that tell me their mayor was willing to attend the event but did not do so out of delicadeza.)
Jimenez said these incumbent officials and candidates have other platforms for campaigning and DepEd 7 activities are not among these platforms.
He said that it is also not possible to screen or review the speeches beforehand to avoid any DepEd personnel from being accused of politicking or biases.
“Mas maka-cause lang ni og isyu kay kung atong pangayoon ang speech ug dili gihapon mao ang i-speech kay impromptu…maka-cause na noon ni og doubt sa (neutrality) sa atong mga personnel,” said Jimenez. (It will only cause an issue if we ask for the speech. There might be doubt as to the neutrality of our personnel.)
Removal
Jimenez also warned teaching and non-teaching personnel to avoid engaging in electioneering or joining political activities and to maintain a non-partisan stance.
He said concerned individuals can write to the Commission on Election (Comelec) against incumbent officials or candidates who use graduation and moving-up rites for electioneering.
In case campaign materials have been put near the public schools, Jimenez said removal of these materials must be done by Comelec personnel.
DepEd’s directive comes as the country prepares for the midterm elections in May, a period often marked by heightened political activity.
The department reiterated that educational spaces must remain safe and impartial environments, particularly during milestone events like graduations. / EHP