Epal (politics)

Epal in the context of Philippine politics is a pejorative used for politicians who habitually associate their name and/or likeness in government-funded projects.

Example of a tarpaulin signage of a municipal government's project prominently depicting the name and likeness of its mayor (fictional for the purpose of illustration only). This instance may be considered as epal.

Etymology

"Epal" is a Filipino-language colloquial term for "mapapel", for attention grabbers, scene stealers, or people who crave a role (papel) in affairs that are not necessarily theirs to handle or decide.[1]

Practice
The name of a congresswoman is included in a barangay hall signage in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

What constitute as an epal act could vary. This could include placing the likeness and/or names of politicians and their relatives in:

  • Names of infrastructure projects
  • Signage
    • Greetings for special occasions such as holidays and fiesta.[2][3]
  • Financial aid and relief goods[4][5]
  • Public documents such as license, permits, and certificates[6]

Politicians could also name projects after their initials or acronym of their names. (e.g. Ginintuang Masagana Ani farming program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo)[7]

It can be used as a means for premature campaigning for upcoming elections.[8] Critics argue that associating politician's names and likenesses to government projects is contrary to the idea that such projects are funded by the taxpaying public.[3][1][9]

However Quezon City representative Danilo Suarez have defended the practice as necessary so that local politicians' constituents are informed that their officials are fulfilling their mandate.[10] Education Secretary Armin Luistro in 2013 said he has no problem with politicians plastering their names and signages on public school projects since the same politicians would be held accountable to the Commission on Audit if their implementation were found to be substandard.[11]

Policy
Tarpaulin showing details of a road construction project under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The signage lacks credit to any person associated with the DPWH or any other government official.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Commission on Audit has policies in place against placing names, initials, and images of government personalities on government projects, signage, and properties. The anti-epal policy is laid out in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-101 issued during the tenure of Secretary Jesse Robredo.[12]

Legislation

There has been multiple attempts to pass a dedicated law against epal practices in the Philippine Congress. Defining what should constitute epal acts has been one of a challenge in passing an anti-epal legislation.[2]

Provision in the 2021 budget act

Senator Grace Poe was able to introduce General Provision No. 82, which has measures against epal, in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2021. The provision prohibits any public official, whether elected or appointed to "affix, or cause to be affixed, their name, visage, appearance, logo, signature or other analogous image, on all programs, activities, projects (PAPs), or corresponding signage" of projects funded under the act.[13][14]

Proposed legislation
Senate
Bill No.CongressDated filedPrincipal authorHouse of Representatives counterpartScopeRef.
Senate Bill No. 166813thAugust 4, 2004Miriam Defensor-SantiagoHouse Bill No. 5497Anti-Signage of Public Works Act
Name and image of public officials (elected and appointed) on signage of public works		[1]
Senate Bill No. 134014thJune 24, 2007House Bill No. 2026
Senate Bill No. 196715thJuly 22, 2010House Bill No. 2309
Senate Bill No. 5416thJuly 1, 2013House Bill No. 4929[15]
Senate Bill No. 77617thJuly 21, 2016Chiz Escudero—Naming of government projects after government officials and other persons associated with said officials except instances identified by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines[9]
House of Representatives
Bill No.CongressDated filedPrincipal authorConstituentSenate counterpartScopeRef.
House Bill No. 549713thMay 30, 2006Teddy CasiñoBayan MunaSenate Bill No. 1968Naming of public properties and government services after incumbent elected public officials, their kin, spouses and relatives of up to fourth civil degree of consanguinity. Naming includes naming projects after one's moniker and initials.
House Bill No. 202614thAugust 13, 2007Senate Bill No. 1340[7]
House Bill No. 230915thSeptember 3, 2014Senate Bill No. 1967
House Bill No. 492916thSeptember 3, 2014Terry RidonKabataan—Name and identification of government officials on government projects and "other persons whose name or identity may in any manner be associated with said officials" except instances identified by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines[16]
House Bill No. 395217thOctober 11, 2016Robert Ace BarbersSurigao del Norte
2nd district		—Affixing or causing to be affixed the name, initials, logo or image of any public official to signage announcing a proposed, ongoing, or completed public works; And crediting an individual officer by placing his or her name or photo on any public service project or vehicle[17]
House Bill No. 7118thJuly 1, 2019—[18]

Non-governmental response

Various civic groups such as the Samahan ng mga Mamamayan Laban sa Trapo (SMLT), People’s Support for Clean Elections, and Tama na Epal Movement has opposed epal practices and advocated for the passing of legislation related to this.[19]

The Transparency and Accountability Network launched a campaign against epal in a lead up to the 2013 elections by setting up the "Anti-Epal" page in Facebook and encouraged users of the social platforms to share photos of instances of epal to encourage politicians to voluntarily cease from epal practices.[20][21]

References
  1. Esguerra, Christian (November 4, 2011). "Sen. Santiago to shame vain politicians thru 'anti-epal' bill". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  2. Casiño, Teddy (September 13, 2012). Casiño wants clear definition of 'epal'. Radyo Inquirer (Radio broadcast) (in Filipino). Philippine Daily Inquirer – via YouTube.
  3. Macairan, Evelyn (December 31, 2011). "Bishop wants anti-'epal' bill to cover politicians' holiday greetings". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  4. "Bawal Epal: DILG warns local officials vs use of ECQ ayuda for premature campaigning - The Filipino Times". Filipino Times. April 4, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  5. Cabrera, Romina Marie (April 2, 2020). "No Epal, No Politics, No Corruption In Relief Distribution, LGUs Warned". One News. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  6. "Gov't officials told not to put names, faces on public documents". Philippine News Agency. March 15, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  7. Silverio, Ina Alleco (November 16, 2011). "Bayan Muna's 'anti-epal' bill, a blow against traditional politics". Bulatlat. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  8. Politicians gimmicks greet millions of cemetery goers. Top Story (Television broadcast) (in English and Filipino). ABS-CBN. November 1, 2012 – via ANC / YouTube.
  9. Elemia, Camille (August 13, 2016). "Epal? Senate bill bans names of public officials on gov't projects". Rappler. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  10. Anti-epal bill pinuri sa networking sites, Pero kinontra ng isang mambabatas [Anti-epal bill praised in networking sites, but was opposed by one lawmaker]. Bandila (Television broadcast) (in Filipino). ABS-CBN. November 4, 2011 – via YouTube.
  11. "Luistro has no problem with 'epal' politicians | National". Journal.com.ph. September 1, 2013. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  12. Tabingo, Peter (December 12, 2021). "Iloilo mayor, vice mayor reminded of 'Anti-Epal Memo'". Malaya Business Insight. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  13. Yap, D. J. (December 16, 2020). "Budget bill contains 'antiepal' provision". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  14. "'Anti-epal' provision in 2021 national budget gets adopted". ABS-CBN News. January 6, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  15. "Anti-Signage Of Public Works Act". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  16. Viray, Patricia Lourdes (October 20, 2014). "'Anti-Epal' bill filed in House of Representatives". The Philippines Star. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  17. Adriano, Leilanie (April 20, 2018). "Ilocos Norte dad wants more teeth to 'anti-epal' measure". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  18. Roxas, Pathricia Ann (August 30, 2019). "Solon refiles 'Anti-Epal' bill banning names, faces of officials on gov't projects". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  19. Galupo, Rey; Alquitran, Non (October 1, 2012). "Groups back 'anti-epal' bill". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  20. Howard, Caroline (September 13, 2012). "Anti-'epal' campaign empowering netizens". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  21. "Anti-Epal Facebook page shames early campaigning". ABS-CBN News. June 12, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
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