BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Education Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR) on Wednesday reminded public school administrators of the order which prohibits the use of graduation and moving up ceremonies as campaign venues for candidates in the May 13 mid-term elections.
“There is no prohibition to invite politicians on the said events but political figures should set themselves as examples by not making these rites as political forum, as a campaign area, for distribution of leaflets and other election paraphernalia,” DepEd-CAR Assistant Regional Director Bettina Aquino said.
Aquino said the graduation rites should not be made as a political forum or else the school head would face administrative charges.
DepEd Order 002, s. 2019 emphasizes the strict compliance with DO 48, s. 2018, entitled Prohibition of Electioneering and Partisan Political activity, saying “no officer/employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign”.
“We have reminded the administrators to make sure that the graduation will not turn out as a campaign otherwise they can be administratively charged,” Aquino said.
She also reminded school officials to make the ceremonies simple but meaningful, conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire, or extraordinary venue.
Aquino added that the DepEd national office has issued an order prohibiting non-academic requirements being made mandatory as a graduation requirement.
She said the expenses for the graduation shall come from the maintenance and operating expenses of the school or other funds and not from the students or the parents.
The DepEd has set graduation and moving-up ceremonies on April 1 to April 5. **Krystelle Luken Pangpangdeo/PNA
