All elected barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials are allowed to join political and campaign activities in the May 12 midterm polls.

In Minute Resolution 24-1001, released on Friday, March 21, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said these elected officials are exempted from the prohibition for public officers to engage in any partisan political activities.

“The Comelec resolves to exclude elected barangay and SK officials from the coverage of the prohibition against intervention in any election campaign or engagement in partisan political activities,” it added.

The resolution was based on the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that states that the prohibition is limitedly applied to civil service officers and employees, and does not include elected officials.

“Stated differently, the constitutional ban does not cover elected officials,” the Comelec said.

“[It is] subject to the limitation that they do not solicit contributions from their subordinates or subject them to any of the acts prohibited in the Omnibus Election Code.”

On the other hand, Comelec said government personnel that are non-civil servants, including job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers, are also allowed to engage in campaigning activities this election.

The poll body noted that the exemption shall be without prejudice to any prohibited acts that they may commit.

“[This is] without prejudice to the liability of any person who would use under any guise whatsoever, directly or indirectly, public funds or money to employ JO and COS workers for the purpose of any election campaign or partisan political activity,” said the Comelec.

The local campaign period is set to start from March 28 to May 10. (PNA)