As nationwide protests against corruption draw near, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded public servants that while they enjoy constitutional rights like any other citizen, they must exercise them responsibly to protect the integrity of the government service.
In an interview on DZRH News’ Special on Saturday on September 20, CSC Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo stressed that government employees have the same right to participate in peaceful assemblies as ordinary Filipinos.
“Gusto ko pong ipabatid na ang ating mga kasamahan sa pamahalaan, tulad ng isang ordinaryong mamamayan ng ating bayan, ay mayroong karapatan na lumahok sa mga ganyang pagkilos, na magpahayag ng kanilang damdamin, na magsabi kung ano ang hindi nila nagugustuhan sa kasalukuyang pamahalaan o sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon,” Ronquillo said.
But Ronquillo stressed that public servants also carry the image of government wherever they go.
“Dahil sila po ay nasa pamahalaan, dapat mayroong mga bagay na hindi po dapat gawin na magbibigay ng hindi magandang imahe sa ating pamahalaan,” he added.
He reminded government employees that their participation in protests must not cross the line into unlawful acts.
“If you will exercise your freedom of expression, dapat hindi ka maninira ng kahit ano mang istruktura na madadaanan mo habang ikaw ay nagpapahayag ng damdamin, hindi ka rin dapat ma-involve sa anumang sitwasyon na mananakit ka ng kapwa, lalabag ka sa batas, yuyurakan mo ang pagkatao o dangal ng kahit sino man. Ang pag-exercise ng ating karapatan, may mga hangganan po iyan,” Ronquillo said.
He warned that violations of law or acts that tarnish the government’s image could lead to administrative liability.
“Kapag tayo po ay lalabag na sa batas o maninira, hindi po magandang asal iyan ng isang nagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan. Bilang administrative offense po, pwede po iyang pumasok sa conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” he explained.
Ronquillo emphasized that even if the protests take place on a Sunday or outside office hours, civil servants are not exempt from scrutiny.
“Kahit sabihin natin na gagawin naman nila iyan ng Linggo at bilang isang mamamayan ng Pilipinas, kahit po Linggo o walang pasok, kapag ikaw ay nasa gobyerno, dala-dala mo ang imahe ng gobyerno, kahit saan ka man magpunta,” he said.
He added that public servants must always avoid actions that could erode public confidence.
“Iiwas tayo sa mga aksyon na magkakaroon ng hindi magandang pananaw ang mga mamamayan sa asal ng isang nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno,” Ronquillo said.
“In other words, you can exercise your constitutional rights, but observe proper limitations, follow the law, avoid any act that may not set a good example for a public servant,” he said.
