DepEd Bicol urges teachers and staff to refrain from partisan political activities during End-of-School Year Rites

Legazpi City, Albay, March 10, 2025 – As schools in the Bicol region prepare for the closing of the school year this April, the Department of Education (DepEd) Bicol has reminded teachers and non-teaching personnel to keep the end-of-school-year rites solemn and free from political influence.

In a recently issued memorandum, DepEd Bicol Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad reiterated the strict prohibition on electioneering and partisan political activities during moving up and graduation ceremonies as provided for under DepEd Order No. 9, series of 2023 or the Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of the End-of-School Year Rites (EOSY). He said that these events should not be used as platforms for political forums, especially for candidates running for elective positions in the upcoming midterm elections.

“School heads shall ensure that end-of-school-year rites are celebrated through a solemn ceremony, primarily aimed at recognizing the hard work, growth, and academic achievements of our graduates while also commemorating the collective efforts of the entire school community in fulfilling the mandate of providing basic education to Filipino learners,” Sadsad said.

Per DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2024, EOSY rites for School Year 2024-2025 will be held on April 14 to 15, 2025. These dates fall within the campaign period for the midterm elections, during which strict prohibitions on political activities are implemented. As such, candidates running for public office must not be invited as guest speakers to prevent any political influence on the ceremonies, Sadsad explained.

He also urged Schools Division Offices to strictly adhere to DepEd Order No. 48, s. 2018, which prohibits DepEd personnel from engaging in electioneering and partisan political activities. Citing provisions from the Constitution and Civil Service Commission regulations, Sadsad stressed that government officials and employees must remain nonpartisan to uphold the integrity of public service.

Furthermore, he warned that any complaints regarding electioneering or partisan activities during EOSY ceremonies will be promptly addressed by the appropriate governance level of DepEd.

Aside from this directive, DepEd Bicol continues to actively support and advocate the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) efforts to combat vote-buying, vote-selling, and the misuse of state resources, as provided under COMELEC Resolution No. 11104 by massive information dissemination of policies and guidelines, activating election task force at the SDO and RO levels for monitoring and support to its personnel who will serve during the elections. These initiatives are part of the agency’s commitment to promoting clean and honest elections.

Source: DepEd Region V - Bicol