The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded public officials that campaigning for a certain candidate is prohibited, saying that they can be dismissed from government service.

The warning from the poll body came after complaints on government officials or employees supporting any candidate or political party were filed before its law department during the campaign period.

“That is a violation because they should remain impartial,” said lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan, head of the Comelec Law Department.

Citing Article 9 of the Constitution, he said that “no officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign.”

Under Art. 22 Sec. 261 (i) of the Omnibus Election Code, “intervention of public officers and employees shall be guilty of an election offense.”

Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said there is also a ground for dismissal of the public official from the service.”

Among the recent complaint was against Customs agent Rommel Ofracio,who was alleged to have engaged in partisan politics for actively campaigning for Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard bearer and former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

“He (Ofracio) has also been captured in television footage and newspaper publications while he is wearing the campaign shirt and at same time standing beside Mr. Estrada,” the complainant said.