TARLAC CITY, Tarlac (October 10, 2024) — City employees who joined yesterday’s “silent protest” march may face possible suspensions for violating a government circular.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Joint Circular No. 001, Series of 2016, prohibits “members of the civil service, whether permanent, temporary, contractual, or casual, who are employed in all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the Philippine government,” from joining political rallies or use government resources.
Government employees found guilty of engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political activities will be punished with a one-month and one-day to six-month suspension for the first offense and dismissal from the service for the second offense.
According to a report from Tarlac Forum, “employees of the Tarlac City Hall, senior citizens affair leaders, barangay health workers, and some volunteers” strode along the city center for a silent rally in support of the passing of Supplemental Budget No. 1 (SB1)” yesterday.
This came after an SMS was sent to some city hall employees on Tuesday encouraging recipients to wear black and join the “unity walk” from the San Sebastian Cathedral from 12:10 to 12:50 pm. Scores of black-clad participants, some wearing “Tatak Angeles” shirts, joined the obvious political march. Tatak Angeles is the political slogan of city mayor Cristy Angeles, her husband, and anointed successor Vic, and vice mayoralty candidate Councilor KT Angeles-Go.
“This is our silent protest on the Supplemental Budget No. 1. Let us be part of this silent protest. If unable to join us in the unity walk you can wear black shirt at 12:00-1:00 pm then change to our usual CGT [City Government of Tarlac] uniform,” the text message read. The COMELEC-CSC circular does not exclude personnel who are on leave of absence.
The protest march stemmed from the perceived delay in the approval of the supplemental budget by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP). According to Councilor Emy Ladera-Facunla, the SB1 of the Office of the City Mayor is questionable and they are still asking for additional documents from the executive’s office.
“Gusto naming maging metikuloso dahil pera ito ng bayan. Dapat gawin namin kung ano ang tama. Hindi kailangang manalo (sa susunod na halalan) at di bale na kung ano na ang ang mangyari sa pera ng bayan,” Ladera-Facunla said. (See related story City council finds anomalies in supplemental budget).
