DILG warns local officials vs politicking

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has warned local officials against politicking and allowing candidates to post campaign materials on government properties.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the law and election rules “clearly prohibited” candidates from using government properties in their campaign.

“Government buildings, properties, vehicles and equipment are for official use only and may not be used as venues or tools for partisan political activity,” he said.

Report violators

Citing Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, Año said public funds, equipment, facilities and even vehicles owned or controlled by the government could not be used to promote any candidate.

He said the DILG would report violators to the Commission on Elections and urged the public to take pictures of violations by local governments or officials.

Local officials and employees also cannot promote or endorse candidates, or engage in partisan political activities during the campaign period, he said.