Malacañang says no to ‘epals’

MANILA, Philippines – The President is not fond of epals.

President Benigno Aquino III does not want his face nor the faces of any of his allies on billboards, banners or posters — so much so that Malacañang is ordering such signage to be taken down.

The practice of including faces of personalities and the President is against the administration’s policy, yet many politicians and political hopefuls have defied it.

These “epals” — short for “papel,” or someone trying hard to be recognized — have been lambasted on social media.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda emphasized that those in office are aware of this policy, and said he would ask those people whose faces appear on signage why they were posted in the first place.
 
“What is clear as far as the President is concerned is he does not want his picture posted in any public works or any billboard—anything in relation to taxpayers’ money. That was the instruction he gave to the executive branch,”  Lacierda said.
 
Lacierda said 2013 elections are coming and that it would be up to the people to decide what kind of leaders they want to elect. He added that voters would judge those campaigning in that way.
 
“There are many [reasons] to elect a congressman or a public official: through their performance, through the things that they have done. Posting their pictures might be one of the considerations so we will leave it with the citizenry to decide,”  Lacierda said.

Scolded epals

According to sources, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Joel Villanueva and Leyte Rep Lucy Torres-Gomez were questioned by the Palace for ignoring the policy.

The President’s photos were reportedly seen on their billboards, banners and posters.

 
Both Villanueva and Torres-Gomez’s husband and chief of staff, Richard, claimed that the signs were posted by supporters.

In the past, the President even personally called a group to stop distributing “noydles” or noodles with a yellow ribbon on the packaging, said sources, and asked immigration officials not to include his face on immigration cards used at airports.

Lacierda said this policy was being followed even in big-ticket projects. – Rappler.com
 

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