MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has assured the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that all of its health personnel would comply with the campaign rules set by the poll body.
Duque issued the statement after the Comelec earlier ordered the DOH to take down all the Malasakit Center posters displayed in government-run hospitals that bear the name and picture of administration senatorial bet Bong Go.
The Malasakit Center is a program of the Duterte administration to establish one-stop shops in hospitals to provide free medical and financial assistance to the poor.
READ: Comelec asks Go to take down ‘Malasakit’ posters
“In a memorandum dated 25 March 2019, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco T. Duque III reiterated to all DOH officials and employees the policy against visual displays and campaign paraphernalia in all DOH Centers for Health Development, Medical Centers and other Public Buildings,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Wednesday said in a statement.
“With this, Secretary Duque has assured the Comelec that all officials and employees will comply with all relevant Comelec Rules and Regulations in relation to the May 13, 2019 national and local elections,” he added.
The Omnibus Election Code prohibits the use of public funds, equipment, facilities that are owned or controlled by the government for an election campaign or any partisan political activity.
If found guilty, a violation can be considered an election offense.
Reacting to the issue, Go said he already told his supporters to remove the “malasakit” posters.
“Paulit ulit ko na po sinabi, tanggalin niyo na po mukha at pangalan ko sa posters at tarps. Huwag niyo na po ikabit iyan. Itulong niyo nalang sa mga nangangailangan,” he said.
READ: Bong Go enjoins supporters to take down ‘Malasakit’ posters
Go is running under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Go’s Senate bid was also endorsed by the regional party of presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago. /muf