ILOILO – Iloilo provincial government officials and employees must now explicitly state that their public commentaries and social media opinions are made in their personal capacity, following a capitol directive drawing a clear line between private views and official government positions.
Provincial Administrator and Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Governor Raul Banias issued Memorandum Order No. 121, Series of 2026 on Sept. 25, directing all provincial government officials and employees to attach a disclaimer to commentaries and opinions they express publicly, including those posted on social media during or after office hours.
The memorandum came a day after Iloilo City councilor Jose Maria “Nene” Dela Llana went to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol and submitted a letter to the Office of the Governor raising concerns over social media posts of the provincial government’s Public Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO) chief Jose Nereo Lujan.
Banias stressed that while government workers retain their freedom of expression, opinions expressed without authorization should not be construed as representing the provincial government.
“Please be reminded that while we respect the freedom of expression of every individual, and that any responsible and concerned citizen is entitled to express his or her opinion on matters of public concern, such expression made without the approval of proper authority is considered personal and not in any way related to their official functions,” part of Banias’ memorandum read.
The directive covers opinions or commentaries concerning the performance of officials of other national government agencies or local government units.
Under the memorandum, “any and all commentaries and opinions expressed in public, including those issued through social media, during and after office hours,” must carry the disclaimer: “This statement is being issued in a personal capacity and is not in any way related to my official functions as an employee of the lloilo Provincial Government”.
The Association of Iloilo Provincial Government Employees (AIPGE), meanwhile, acknowledged the directive but said certain issues concerning employees’ freedom of expression may still have to be clarified.
“We respect and recognize the memorandum issued by the Iloilo Provincial Government. I think this is intended to remind all employees regarding the professionalism and dignity of the office they served. Siguro there are certain parameters lang nga kinahanglan naton nga i-iron out in regards to the freedom of expression of our employees,” AIPGE president Joecil Mayor said.
Mayor said provincial government personnel should maintain professionalism when criticizing government agencies and perform their duties in accordance with Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“Let us uphold the dignity of the professionalism of our duties diri sa Iloilo Provincial Government. We do not restrict but of course sundon lang naton kon ano ang nagakaigu kag ara sa laye,” Mayor added.
The memorandum followed Dela Llana’s complaint concerning Lujan, whom the councilor accused of using social media to criticize the Iloilo City Government.
“It is also clear he has been doing these face book posts almost every day during office hours at that. The common subject matter of this malicious post is the destruction of the good reputation of the Iloilo City Government, its officials and personnel and the many activities or efforts made for the improvement of the City of Iloilo,” Dela Llana said in his letter.
He further claimed that “candidly for Nerio Lujan the City Government or the Mayor, and majority of the councilors as well the employees working thereat are not doing their jobs as a public servant, worse he often imputes them as corrupt and inefficient.”
Dela Llana said the situation should not be allowed to continue and expressed hope that Lujan would be disciplined in the same manner as any other provincial government employee.
The councilor also attached copies of numerous social media posts allegedly made by Lujan against the Iloilo City Government, the mayor and city councilors, which Dela Llana presented as evidence supporting his complaint./PN
