Various groups of government employees stood against the recently released Memorandum Circular No. 3, Series of 2025 of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) last March. This memorandum prohibits employees from engaging in political matters on social media to maintain their “neutrality” and avoid partisan activities, especially during election periods.

According to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), and Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage), the directive is a blatant suppression of their freedom of expression and right to participate in political matters. The three groups protested before the CSC office in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City on April 14 to demand the scrapping of the directive.

“This prohibition has a chilling effect on government workers and further disempowers us from fighting for our own rights and calling out corrupt government officials and politicians,” Courage secretary general Manny Baclagon said.

Following widespread criticism, the CSC explained that it will not prohibit employees from liking, sharing, and commenting on political matters on social media as long as “neutrality” is maintained. According to ACT, this explanation from the CSC is vague and remains unofficial.

“This memorandum is clearly one-sided in emphasizing only the silencing of teachers and employees. It even has no clarification on what rights we can still exercise during the election period,” according to ACT-National Capital Region.

The regional chapter added that this will most likely instill fear on employees. “As teachers, it is our duty to develop the capacity of the people—especially the youth—to be critical and involved in social issues, especially during elections,” it said.

Courage president Santiago Dasmariñas emphasized that they have long noticed that the CSC implements policies without proper consultation with employees. “These also tend to be very restrictive and punitive,” he added.

He further stated that the majority of ordinary government employees and workers suffer from very low wages, have no security of tenure, experience poor working conditions, and are deprived of their rights and are abused by officials. “We expect the CSC to be more supportive of government workers they are meant to serve,” Dasmariñas said.

Bayan Muna Party-list and its third nominee, Ferdinand Gaite, a former employee leader, expressed support for the employees’ struggle. The party stands with the call to scrap the memorandum and push for the enactment of additional protections for government employees.