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January 31, 2026 | 3:31pm
Members of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), led by election officer John Paul Martin and joined by Department of Justice personnel, conduct “Oplan Baklas” on May 9, 2025 to remove campaign posters across Baguio as the official campaign period for this year’s elections ends tomorrow, May 10, 2025.
The Philippine STAR / Andy Zapata Jr.
LAGUNA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered all offices and local government units to immediately remove the names, photos and likenesses of public officials from government-funded projects.
The directive was posted on DILG’s official Facebook page on Saturday, January 31.
In a memorandum circular, DILG instructed provincial, city, municipal and barangay officials to ensure that no personal branding, such as names, images, logos, initials, color schemes, slogans, or other identifying symbols, should appear on signages, markers, tarpaulins, or similar materials financed by taxpayers.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that government programs are meant to serve the people and "must never be used for personal promotion."
"Government programs are not personal billboards," the statement read.
"These are funded by taxpayers and must reflect public service, not political credit grabbing," it added.
The circular cites the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, Commission on Audit rules classifying personalized displays as unnecessary expenses and the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which explicitly prohibits attaching officials’ names or images to government-funded projects.
“All concerned officials and employees are directed to immediately remove or correct non-compliant materials," the DILG said.
"Heads of offices are accountable for full and prompt compliance, as well as for cascading the directive to all units under their supervision," it added.
The DILG emphasized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to maintain government projects free of political self-promotion, urging citizens to report violations of the Anti-Epal policy.
“Public funds are meant for public service. Not for personal publicity,” the DILG said.
