MANILA --  Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente reminded their employees on Monday that they are barred from actively engaging in partisan political activities and electioneering even on social media.

In a statement, Morente expressed a stern reminder that campaigning actively and soliciting votes and support for their election bets remains prohibited.

“This election season, as public servants, we are expected to remain politically neutral as this is mandated by law,” said Morente.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution defines election campaign or partisan political activity as "any act designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or party to public office."

Morente further shared that the mere wearing of shirts, caps, or pins and actively campaigning for candidates is prohibited according to advisories from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“This shall cover all our employees, whether they are permanent, or contractual,” Morente said. “Employees are also reminded to adhere with the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees with respect to their actions online, and use good judgment in sharing information,” said Morente.

Officers who will be found guilty of engaging in partisan political activities may be penalized with one month and one day suspension to six months for the first offense. (BI)