Lacson backs ban on ‘Epal’ billboards

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson expressed support for the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) order banning the display of names and images of public officials on government projects.

Lacson said billboards featuring politicians could indicate overpricing.

“This is something I like and support unequivocally. While there are surely no ghost billboards, most likely the ‘epal’ billboards are as overpriced as the projects,” he posted on X.

DILG Memorandum Circular 2026-006 dated 29 January prohibits attaching the “name, image and likeness” of public officials to government projects. The department ordered all local government units to remove such materials immediately.

The DILG stated: “Government programs are not personal billboards. These are funded by taxpayers and must reflect public service, not political credit grabbing.”

The circular cited the Constitution, the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, Commission on Audit rules, and the 2026 General Appropriations Act.