Bayan Muna Challenges CSC Memo on Political Speech

By Juliane Judilla

Bayan Muna Party-list filed a petition before the Supreme Court on April 25 challenging Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 3, series of 2025, calling it a “dangerous assault on free speech.”

The order reminded government officials and employees not to engage in or partake in any partisan political activity, as mandated by the 1987 Constitution, the Administrative Code of 1987, the Omnibus Election Code, and the Local Government Code.

It also introduced new guidelines on the proper use of social media, prohibiting the posting, sharing, or commenting on political content.

The party-list group contended in its petition that the CSC memo infringes on the constitutional rights of government employees, particularly their freedom of expression, right to participate in political discourse, and their rights as workers.

Bayan Muna first nominee and human rights lawyer Atty. Neri Colmenares condemned the CSC memo as a dangerous move that threatens democratic space.

“This memo is an overreach and a blatant violation of the constitutional right to freedom of expression,” Colmenares stated.

“It dangerously expands the definition of partisan political activity to include basic online engagement such as liking, sharing, or commenting on political issues. This is outright suppression of thought and opinion.”

Colmenares emphasized that according to the law, as reiterated in Section 29 of Republic Act 2260, government employees and officers may voice their opinions on political issues, as long as they do not partake in partisan politics.

Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees advisor and former Bayan Muna representative Ferdinand Gaite also expressed strong opposition, saying the CSC memo is “too much” as it tramples on the very rights civil servants are supposed to uphold and defend.

“The prohibition against government employees expressing their views on social media—especially when it concerns policies and politicians that affect their rights—is a violation of their rights both as workers and as citizens,” Gaite said.

Both groups vowed to continue fighting for the rights of government workers and to demand the immediate rescission of the CSC memo.

“We will not allow the silencing of government workers’ voices. We will fight this in courts and in the streets,” Colmenares stated.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections, through Comelec Minute Resolution 24-1001, stated that all Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, job order casuals, and those with contracts of service are now allowed to campaign for the upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections.

The Comelec clarified that the exclusion is based on a Supreme Court ruling, which limits the prohibition to civil service officers and employees, excluding elected officials.

However, the Comelec emphasized that elected officials must not solicit contributions from their subordinates or involve them in any acts prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code.