President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the swift release of “anti-epal” guidelines to stop politicians from using government-funded projects for personal or political branding, Malacañang said.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President wants faster action on the rules, which are already reflected in the 2026 General Appropriations Act, to ensure transparent and non-partisan delivery of government assistance.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said public officials are barred from putting their names, photos, or logos on state-funded projects, allowing only basic project details such as title, dates, and funding source.
Violators may face administrative sanctions, including suspension, and repeat offenders could be referred to the Ombudsman for possible criminal and administrative cases.
Remulla urged the public to report violations, including by posting evidence on social media for investigation. He also backed proposed legislation to institutionalize the “anti-epal” rules, saying this would finally curb self-promotion by politicians using public funds.IMT
