Officials of the provincial government of Camarines Sur were called out by the Commission on Audit (COA) for violations of the Anti-Epal rules under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2010-101 and COA Circular No. 2013-004.

Under the provisions of the DILG memo, names or initials and/or images or pictures of government officials on billboards and signages of government programs and properties are banned.

The COA circular, on the other hand, considers the posting of photographs and names of public officials on government programs and projects as “irregular or unnecessary expenditures” that may be disallowed in audit.

The COA said in its 2024 audit report on the province, released 19 December 2026, that “An inspection and evaluation of the inventory accounts of the LGU (local government unit) revealed that certain procured items bear markings, logos, color motifs, initials, and other symbols or graphic representations associated with the top leadership of the project proponent.”

The government auditors clarified that while government agencies are expected to notify the public of their projects, programs, and activities, they are required to avoid “unnecessary branding” that may be “construed as political promotion.”

The items found violative of the Anti-Epal rules were 75,000 22-liter water containers with faucets, with a total value of P18.37 million. These were distributed to various barangays with blue and white stickers containing the words “Serbisyong Ka Fuerte.”

The COA also found 20,000 high-grade outdoor vests for barangay “tanods” bearing the marks “From: Gov. Luigi Villafuerte” in front and “Gov. Luigi Villafuerte” at the back, in addition to an “LV” logo.

It also found 1,000 wheeled trash bins worth P1.45 million with “personalized markings of the name 'LUIGI VILLAFUERTE’ in blue and red colors.

Moreover, 1,000 laptops worth P34.45 million for distribution to elementary and secondary-level public school teachers were also discovered with “SERBISYONG KAFUERTE” stickers.

The auditors said, “It bears stressing that the inclusion of logos and symbols associated with specific public officials on government-funded items raises concerns regarding compliance with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-101 and COA Circular No. 2013-004. Hence, this transaction is deemed irregular and disallowable in audit.”

Other items flagged by the audit team were 970 portable speakers (P20.61 million) with the “Ka Fuerte” logo, and basketball backboards of an undetermined number and value bearing the phrases or names “Migzerbisyo Rinconada,” “Luigi,” and “Marco Gumabao.”

The provincial leadership was notified by the audit team to immediately cease the branding of procured items using public funds and to submit an explanation as to why the practice was allowed despite existing prohibitions.

The province, in response to Audit Observation Memorandum No. 2025-016-100, assured the audit team that the inclusion of political logos and personal markings was not approved by the local government.

It said the markings were done at the initiative of suppliers but did not cost the province a centavo.

They acknowledged the importance of complying with government rules and committed that there will be no repetition in future procurements and distributions.