To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Regional Director
Directors of Services/Centers and Heads of Unit
Schools Division/City Superintendents
Heads, Elementary and Secondary Schools Teachers

1. The Department of Education (DepEd) aware of the consequences of too much politics in schools hereby reiterates the “Clean Schools, Clean Elections Program. This program aims to ensure that our schools and teachers are protected from overt politicking. The program will be in effect for the entire election campaign period until the final outcome of the elections at the national and local levels.
2. The 2007 National Election merits the highest degree of national discipline. In order to minimize and prevent any conflict of interest situations, that can compromise our teachers’ integrity, the following guidelines must be observed:
   2.1 Use of school premises for political rallies and other public meetings.
   2.1.1. Political rallies and public meetings must NOT be scheduled during school days while classes are on-going.
   2.1.2. Organizer of political rallies and public meetings must first secure the necessary permits from the proper local government official pursuant to the requirements of local ordinances on the issuance of permits.
   2.1.3. School heads should remind the organizers of political rallies and public meetings to be held on school premises that said organizers are responsible in making sure that the school surroundings will be cleaned and the campaign materials and propaganda will be removed after the rally or meeting.
   2.2. Posters and other Campaign Materials.
   2.2.1. Should the school heads find illegally posted campaign materials within their school premises, pending COMELEC approval of the request to allow teachers to remove said materials themselves, they shall immediately report the same to the Election Officer for the removal of illegally posted campaign materials.
   2.2.2. The signage below is to be prominently posted on school properties:
   Clean Schools, Clean Elections
   This School PROHIBITS the posting of campaign materials in school properties
   Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent
   of the law!
   2.2.3. Election materials may be distributed within school premises except on the day before, and on the day of, the elections, provided that classes will not be disrupted.
3. Any other DepEd Memoranda, Orders, Circulars, and other issuances inconsistent herewith are deemed amended or repealed accordingly.
4. Immediate dissemination of this Memorandum to all levels is ordered.

SO ORDERED.

Reference: None
Allotment: 1—(D.O. 50-97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
ELECTIONS
SCHOOLS
POLICY

DO_s2007_020