Politicians reminded not to “own” gov’t projects
EVEN during off-campaign season, photos – often photoshopped – of smiling politicians plastered on billboards are a common sight.
But this is actually illegal in Pangasinan if the face is on a board about a government project.
The provincial council, under the chairmanship of then Vice Governor Gonzalo Duque, had passed an ordinance prohibiting credit claims for public projects since these are funded using the people’s money and not of elected officials.
Local government officials, however, have been getting away with their misconduct due to lack of strict enforcement of the ordinance.
The good news is, this situation could possibly change soon once Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s “Anti-Epal” bill is passed into national law.
The proposed bill seeks to ban politicians from taking credit through public ads of projects paid for by taxpayers.
“Epal” is a contraction of “ma-papel”, Filipino slang for someone who likes stealing the scene or taking credit for something that he or she is not necessarily responsible for.
Aside from billboards, supporters of the bill have proposed the inclusion of other government property such as vehicles.
He said the practice makes it appear as if the politicians own the properties.
Senator Escudero, in a local radio interview, however, said politicians are free to post their own billboards such as for Christmas and holiday greetings but these should be at their personal expense. (with report from PIA-Pangasinan)
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