Cotabato City Mayor Bruce C. Matabalao announced on Sunday that employees under his office who engage in maliciously maligning candidates or political parties ahead of the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections may face suspension or termination, according to a report by BusinessWorld.
The mayor said he will immediately censure any employee found to have openly engaged in such acts, emphasizing the need for neutral and professional conduct within the local government unit. He warned that violators could face administrative sanctions, including suspension or termination from service.
The directive comes as the BARMM region prepares for its scheduled polls, and Matabalao's move aims to prevent partisan behavior among city hall personnel, ensuring a fair electoral process. The mayor urged employees to refrain from any form of political badmouthing that could undermine public trust.