‘Like’ button could cost government workers their jobs

THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Thursday warned government officials and workers, advising them to exercise caution when using social media as their acts might be construed as engaging in partisan politics and result in their dismissal from office.

Annabelle Roselle, director of the CSC in Region 11, told the iSpeak Forum in Davao that wearing of pins, ballers, and shirts that bear the name of any candidates, or sharing, commenting, and liking posts on social media will be taken as partisan political activities.

“We advise government agencies to refrain from sharing, liking, and commenting because it might be interpreted that you are supporting this particular candidate,” she said.

She said this is prohibited under Section 2.4B of Article 4 of the Philippine Constitution, which states that “no officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign.”

The Omnibus Election Code also prohibits government officials and employees from directly and indirectly supporting candidates.

“Because we define electioneering and partisan political activity either to support the election or defeat of any candidate, if that act can be read or interpreted as a support of a particular candidate, then pwede sya mahulog partisan political activity,” Roselle added.

First-time offenders would be meted a one month and one day suspension to six-month suspension while second-time offenders would be dismissed from service.

“We have already issued reminders to all government offices and employees that they should refrain,” she said.

The official said they would investigate any government officials and employees accused of violating election laws.

“We just use social media to remind them but not necessarily we monitor how they the social media,” she added.