Public schools must remain non-partisan and are prohibited from engaging in political activities or campaigning during graduation and moving-up ceremonies, the Department of Education (DepEd) warned.
DepEd officials emphasized that teaching and non-teaching personnel are barred from electioneering amid the upcoming May midterm polls, as outlined in Memorandum 27 signed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara on March 21. Violators may face penalties.
Extravagant spending, costly attire, and renting lavish venues should also be avoided.
Expenses for graduation and moving-up ceremonies must come from school operating funds, with no additional fees collected from students.
End-of-school-year rites are scheduled for April 14 to 15 for kindergarten, Grade 6, 10, and 12 students, as well as those in the Alternative Learning System.
Due to expected high temperatures, DepEd advised schools to hold ceremonies indoors with proper ventilation and avoid scheduling them during peak heat hours.
Fraudsters
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) also cautioned candidates about fraudsters claiming they can manipulate election results.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said these illegal activities, which had briefly halted, are expected to return by April.
Four individuals suspected of election fraud were arrested in February. Comelec has sought assistance from the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to stop such schemes.
Garcia assured the public that the automated election system is secure and cannot be tampered with.
Oplan Baklas
Comelec will launch a nationwide "Oplan Baklas" on Friday to remove unlawful campaign materials as the local campaign period begins.
Candidates will receive notices to take down illegal posters, billboards, and tarpaulins. Those who fail to comply within three days may face criminal charges.
Garcia warned that local elections tend to be more violent than national ones. He urged candidates to follow campaign regulations to prevent unrest and penalties.
Starting March 28, Comelec will remove illegal campaign materials in both national and local elections. Candidates must train their teams to place campaign materials only in designated areas.
Amid rising complaints of red-tagging and discrimination against candidates, Garcia said the Comelec’s Task Force Safe would investigate.
Complainants should present evidence of political harassment by rivals or local government units.
Higher pay for poll workers
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) urged the Comelec and the Department of Budget and Management to ensure poll workers receive a net honorarium of P15,000.
The group also called for urgent certification of a bill exempting election service workers’ allowances and financial benefits from income tax.
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