Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya talks to officials of various government agencies during the DOTC Regional Management Council meeting. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
SINCE he’s not covered by the election ban, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya openly campaigned for Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas and running mate Leni Robredo during yesterday’s DOTC Regional Management Council meeting in Cebu City yesterday morning.
Clad in a yellow LP T-shirt, Abaya told participants of the meeting to help him continue the gains of “Daang Matuwid” (straight path) by voting for Roxas and Rep. Robredo of Camarines Sur.
Asked if Cabinet secretaries like Abaya are allowed to do this, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu provincial supervisor Eliseo Labaria said they are not covered under the election ban against campaigning for any candidate.
“Employees whose appointment undergo the Civil Service Commission (CSC) are the ones prohibited from campaigning for any candidate,” Labaria said in a phone interview.