The Department of Education (DepEd) has not been remiss in reminding its personnel not to engage in electioneering, Ian Arnold Arnaez, Negros Occidental Schools Division spokesperson, said on Thursday, May 8.
The DepEd has reminded teachers not to show their political inclinations so they will not be susceptible to electioneering cases, he said.
Sometimes teachers are not doing anything wrong but fall victim to politicians’ suspicions, he said.
Vice Mayor Adrian Ian Villaflor of Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental filed a complaint against a teacher for alleged electioneering before the Office of the Provincial Elections Supervisor of Negros Occidental on Tuesday, May 6.
Villaflor, who is running for mayor of Moises Padilla, said the teacher was seen several times attending meetings of family leaders of his political opponent.
Arnaiz said no formal report has been received by their schools division yet and an investigation would have to be conducted before they can pass judgment.
He also said the DepEd has created an Election Task Force to assist teachers serving during the elections.
The DepEd Task Force will provide teachers with legal assistance, he said.*