Cebu Province’s top officials have expressed support for the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) directive discouraging the use of politicians’ names and images on taxpayer-funded projects.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the order would not require any major adjustment on her part, stressing that she has never supported the practice of attaching personal identity to government-funded initiatives.
“They have to follow what’s the regulation of the national agency. It won’t be a problem with me,” the governor shared.
“I’ve never been one who supports the ‘epal’ thing — putting their faces on the projects,” she added.
For Baricuatro, the issue boils down to respecting the purpose of public funds, which she said should always be directed toward services and infrastructure — not personal visibility.
Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco echoed the same stance, emphasizing that projects financed through government resources should never appear as if they are privately owned accomplishments of any single official.
“By all means, these are not private funds nga gigamit sa pagpatuman sa mga projects, these are public funds,” Soco said.
He underlined that taxpayer money should be treated with transparency and humility.
Soco acknowledged that informing the public about government work is part of an official’s duty, but he warned against going overboard in ways that blur the line between accountability and self-promotion.
“Part of being accountable to the people is also to know nga naa mi nahimo. But if you overdo it, then you put your face there that it would come out nga ikaw nanag-iya sa project, di na sad maayo,” he explained.
The vice governor said that should the DILG enforce a firm and unambiguous ban on such displays, local officials in Cebu Province are prepared to comply.
“If there’s really a clear directive nga dili na gyud pwede, we’ll follow the rule… dapat fair,” Soco added, while also pointing out that consistent enforcement will be key to making the policy effective.
He noted that in Provincial Board-related activities, officials make it a point to clarify which office and program funded a project, but avoid leaving behind large tarpaulins bearing politicians’ names or faces.
The DILG earlier ordered all local government units to immediately remove names, photos, and other identifying marks of officials from projects financed by public funds, saying these should reflect public service rather than political credit.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stressed that government initiatives must benefit citizens without being turned into tools for personal promotion, adding that office heads will be held accountable for ensuring full compliance. (SBA)
Photo from Glenn Soco/ Facebook
