Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__71
Introduced by HON. ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS.

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE DISPLAY OR ADVERTISEMENT OF GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS’ NAMES AND PHOTOS IN ALL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS, SERVICES
AND VEHICLES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The practice of politicians of posting their names and/or photos in public works,
government establishments, vehicles, service programs and campaigns is quite
prevalent. Crediting individuals instead of the government on any public work, project,
assistance or program is unethical and a manifestation of the nation’s deeply troubling
Political patronage. This system of political advertising also promotes corruption among our
officials, sending a wrong sense of accomplishment among the citizens.

The Anti-Epal Act of 2019 seeks to address this issue by prohibiting and penalizing
government officials who habitually post their names and faces on government projects
funded with taxpayers’ money.

Prohibited acts include affixing, or causing to be affixed the name, initials, logo or
image of any public official to a signage announcing a proposed, on-going or completed
Public works; and affixing or causing to be affixed the name, initials, logo or image of any
public official to a signage—crediting an individual officer, or bearing his or her image of any
and all public service projects and motor vehicles. This measure however allows signs that
bear the name, image or logo of the local or national government agency handling the
project.

Civil servants should give their total dedicated service toe p
they give should not serve their own personal interest.

ople, and the services

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is highly sought|

HON\ROBE Iy ACE S. BARBERS
, Surigao del Norte


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES )
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS: )
First Regular Session )

HouSE BILL No, _72

Introduced by HON. ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE DISPLAY OR ADVERTISEMENT OF GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS’ NAMES AND PHOTOS IN ALL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS, SERVICES.
AND VEHICLES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Epal Act of 2019”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State for all elected and appointed
public officers and employees to serve with utmost honesty and integrity and take proactive
and effective measures against graft and corruption.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For of the purpose of this Act, the term:

(a) “Government” means the national government, the local governments, the
government-owned and government-controlled corporations, and all other
instrumentalities or agencies and branches of the Republic of the Philippines;

(b) "Public officer’ means elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or
temporary;

(©) “Public works” includes, but is not limited to the following: streets, bridges, sidewalks,
public buildings, public parks, sewage facilities, basketball courts, waiting sheds,
lampposts, and all public work projects which are funded, wholly or partly, through
public funds released by the Government;

(4) "Public services’ includes, but is not limited to medical and dental missions, job
caravans, sports and social events, mobile services, and other public services
which uses government funds;

(e) “Motor vehicles” includes but not limited to all government-owned or leased motor
vehicles, police cars, ambulance, fire trucks, multi-cabs, barangay vehicles; other
motor vehicles being used for official function; and any and all private vehicles being
used for or in behalf of the government;

(f) “Signage” includes any form of written announcement, installed, posted, hanged,
painted or otherwise displayed in a public place.
SEC. 4. Prohibited Acts. - The following constitutes a violation of this Act:

(a) Affixing, or causing to be affixed the name, initials, logo or image of any public official
to a signage announcing a proposed, on-going or completed public works;


(b) Affixing or causing to be affixed the name, initials, logo or image of any public official
to a signage—crediting an individual officer, or bearing his or her image, on any and
all kinds of public service projects and motor vehicles.

SEC. 5. Allowed Practices. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed to exclude agencies,
departments, and local government units from affixing, or causing to be affixed, their official
name or logo to a signage announcing a proposed or on-going, or completed public works
project; and/or on any and all kinds of public service projects and motor vehicles.

SEC. 6 Common Posting Areas. -

SEC. 6. Removal of Existing Signage. — The Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH), in coordination with the Department of interior and Local Government (DILG) and
the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is hereby ordered to remove all existing
signage announcing a proposed, on-going, or completed public works project, within three
(3) months after the effectivity of this Act.

Likewise, all concerned public officers shall be duty bound to remove existing signages in
any and all public service projects and motor vehicles within thirty (30) days after the
effectivity of this Act.

‘SEC. 7. Penalties for Violations. — Any public officer committing any of the prohibited acts in
Section 4 shall be penalized of not less than six (6) months and shall be fined One Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P 100,000.00) to One Million Pesos (1,000,000.00).

* Include administrative liability, grave misconduct
* Graduated offenses

In addition to the above imprisonment and fine, the public officer shall be perpetually
disqualified from holding public office.

‘SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared
invalid, such declaration shall not affect the other provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,