'Anti-epal' provision in 2021 national budget gets adopted

ABS-CBN News

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/01/05/20210105-20130130_mmda_epal-mp.jpg' ><figcaption>Members of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conduct a clean-up drive along Roosevelt Cor. San Francisco Del Monte Avenue in Quezon City. <em>Manny Palmero/ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Public officials may find it harder now to claim credit after a provision prohibiting attachment of their names, pictures, logos, signatures or other kinds of appearance on projects funded by the 2021 national budget, was officially adopted.</p><p>Under the "anti-epal" provision which was adopted as General Provision No. 82 of the newly-signed 2021 budget, elected or appointed officials are barred from doing so on programs, activities, or other kinds projects funded by the General Appropriations Act (GAA).</p><p>Epal is a Filipino slang for people who inappropriately present themselves in a situation or an event. </p><p>"Taxpayers, not politicians, fund the projects and programs. Their names or photos have no place there," said Sen. Grace Poe, author of the provision.</p><p>"Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should not make it appear that their constituents owe them gratitude for the projects," she added.</p><p>Many public officials in the Philippines have been criticized for their appearances, in whatever form, on tax-funded projects.</p><p>Poe said labeling projects with their names paves the way for these officials to prematurely campaign for upcoming elections.</p><p>"Nakapaskil ang pangalan at litrato ng ibang politiko sa mga ambulansya, waiting shed, ultimo sa basurahan," she said.</p><p>(The names and images of other images are plastered on ambulances, waiting sheds, and even on trash cans.)</p><p>"Sa paggamit ng 2021 budget, bawal ang politikong epal. Tandaan natin, hindi natin pera ito, pera ito ng ating mga kababayan."</p><p>(In using the 2021 budget, inappropriate appearances of politicians are prohibited. We have to remember, this is not our money, but our citizens'.)</p><p><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OCzSsB7dn6Y?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more in <a href='//www.iwantv.com.ph/'>iWantv</a> or <a href='//tfc.tv/'>TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>"Taxpayers, not politicians, fund the projects and programs. Their names or photos have no place there," said Sen. Grace Poe, author of the provision.</p><p>"Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should not make it appear that their constituents owe them gratitude for the projects," she added.</p><p>Many public officials in the Philippines have been criticized for their appearances, in whatever form, on tax-funded projects.</p><p>Poe said labeling projects with their names paves the way for these officials to prematurely campaign for upcoming elections.</p><p>"Nakapaskil ang pangalan at litrato ng ibang politiko sa mga ambulansya, waiting shed, ultimo sa basurahan," she said.</p><p>(The names and images of other images are plastered on ambulances, waiting sheds, and even on trash cans.)</p><p>"Sa paggamit ng 2021 budget, bawal ang politikong epal. Tandaan natin, hindi natin pera ito, pera ito ng ating mga kababayan."</p><p>(In using the 2021 budget, inappropriate appearances of politicians are prohibited. We have to remember, this is not our money, but our citizens'.)</p><p><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OCzSsB7dn6Y?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more in <a href='//www.iwantv.com.ph/'>iWantv</a> or <a href='//tfc.tv/'>TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Under the "anti-epal" provision which was adopted as General Provision No. 82 of the newly-signed 2021 budget, elected or appointed officials are barred from doing so on programs, activities, or other kinds projects funded by the General Appropriations Act (GAA).</p><p>Epal is a Filipino slang for people who inappropriately present themselves in a situation or an event. </p>

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/01/05/20210105-20130130_mmda_epal-mp.jpg' ><figcaption>Members of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conduct a clean-up drive along Roosevelt Cor. San Francisco Del Monte Avenue in Quezon City. <em>Manny Palmero/ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Public officials may find it harder now to claim credit after a provision prohibiting attachment of their names, pictures, logos, signatures or other kinds of appearance on projects funded by the 2021 national budget, was officially adopted.</p>

<p>MANILA - Public officials may find it harder now to claim credit after a provision prohibiting attachment of their names, pictures, logos, signatures or other kinds of appearance on projects funded by the 2021 national budget, was officially adopted.</p>

MANILA - Public officials may find it harder now to claim credit after a provision prohibiting attachment of their names, pictures, logos, signatures or other kinds of appearance on projects funded by the 2021 national budget, was officially adopted.

'Anti-epal' provision in 2021 national budget gets adopted | ABS-CBN News

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'Anti-epal' provision in 2021 national budget gets adopted

'Anti-epal' provision in 2021 national budget gets adopted