A group of government employees is asking the Supreme Court to throw out a Civil Service Commission (CSC) circular that bans public workers from engaging in partisan political activities ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

In a petition filed on Friday, the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) challenged the legality of CSC Memorandum Circular No. 03-2025, which builds on an earlier joint circular from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the CSC issued back in 2016.

The petitioners — former Bayan Muna congressman Ferdinand Gaite and COURAGE president Santiago Dasmarinas — want the high court to declare the circular “unconstitutional” and “void.” They’re also asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to immediately stop its enforcement.

The CSC and Comelec are named as respondents in the petition.

As it stands, the campaign period for both national and local candidates ends on 10 May, just two days before the 12 May 2025 elections.

Under the 2016 joint circular, government workers are barred from several activities related to election campaigning. These include forming or joining groups meant to campaign for or against any candidate or party, attending or organizing political rallies, parades, or meetings, and making speeches, interviews, or announcements for or against political candidates. Publishing or distributing campaign materials, whether online or offline, is also off-limits. So is directly or indirectly soliciting votes or support.

The rules also prohibit public employees from becoming delegates to political conventions, joining political committees or clubs, or receiving campaign contributions. Wearing t-shirts, pins, caps, or other paraphernalia bearing the names of candidates or parties is banned unless approved by the Comelec. They’re also not allowed to serve as watchers for a candidate during elections or to maintain a consistent presence at political events, which could lead to their public identification with a particular candidate or group.

Even social media isn’t spared. Liking, commenting on, sharing, or reposting a candidate’s or political party’s content online can be considered partisan political activity if it’s done to show or gather support during the campaign period.

What’s more, these restrictions apply not just during office hours or within office premises — they extend beyond work hours and even when employees are on leave.

Anyone caught breaking the rules could face a suspension ranging from one month and one day to six months for a first offense. A second offense could result in dismissal from service.

COURAGE argues that these restrictions are excessive and violate the political rights of government employees. Now, it’s up to the Supreme Court to decide whether these rules go too far in limiting their freedom.