Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to refrain from usingT-shirts and other items with the agency’s logo in endorsing candidates for the May 9 elections.
In a statement, the DOH said it had distributed T-shirts and other items bearing its logo through various political activities on the ground.
“Due to the Department’s various health promotion campaigns and outreach programs on the ground, the DOH and its partners have produced and distributed a multitude of shirts and paraphernalia bearing the DOH logo, to health and non-health workers alike, those covered under CSC (Civil Service Commission) rules and otherwise,” the agency said.
“The Department urges the public not to use these apolitical materials for endorsing candidates during the 2022 elections,” it added.
The DOH issued the reminder after a campaign event for the Marcos-Duterte tandem attended by individuals wearing T-shirts with the agency’s logo was brought to the attention of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told him that the participants were not DOH staff but barangay health workers who just wore DOH t-shirts.
According to DOH, the attendees in the photo circulating on social media are “health workers employed or directly engaged by LGUs (local government units).”
The DOH also noted that as early as November last year, it has already emphasized the rule on upholding political neutrality in government service.
“Moreover, the DOH would like to clarify that it has no authority over health workers employed or directly engaged by LGUs,” it pointed out.