Cebu City Moves to Ban Officials' Names on Publicly Funded Properties
In a significant step to curb personal attribution of publicly funded projects, a proposed ordinance in Cebu City seeks to bar the placement of incumbent officials' names on government-owned properties, except in cases required by law or justified for historical purposes. The measure, authored by Cebu City Councilor Sisinio Andales, is set to be endorsed in the upcoming regular session on January 27, 2026.
Reinforcing Taxpayer Ownership and Ethical Standards
The ordinance aims to reinforce the fundamental principle that government projects are funded by taxpayers and should not be used for personal or political branding by public officials, particularly during election periods. Councilor Andales emphasized that this initiative addresses long-standing public frustration over what is colloquially termed as 'epal' practices, where officials leverage government projects for self-promotion, thereby eroding public confidence in government institutions.
Andales stated, "Citizens have repeatedly expressed frustration over 'epal' practices, where officials use government projects as vehicles for self-promotion, thereby eroding public confidence in government institutions." The proposed measure aligns with the standards established under Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which mandates officials to avoid actions that could be interpreted as self-promotion or conflict of interest.
Comprehensive Coverage and Prohibitions
The ordinance covers a wide range of government assets, including:
- Buildings and infrastructure projects
- Facilities and vehicles
- Other assets financed wholly or partly by public funds
Under the proposal, these properties would no longer bear the names of incumbent officials, with exceptions only for legal requirements or historical and archival justifications. Specifically, the measure prohibits:
- Printing, engraving, or displaying the name, image, logo, or slogan of any public official on government-funded projects, facilities, vehicles, equipment, or relief goods.
- Affixing tarpaulins, billboards, or signage bearing the name or likeness of public officials on public property funded by government resources.
Extending to Communication Materials
Beyond physical properties, the ordinance also restricts the use of government communication materials for personal promotion. Politicians are not allowed to utilize resources such as press releases, official advertisements, social media posts, infographics, videos, and public announcements to highlight or endorse their personal image. Instead, these materials must strictly convey information related to government programs, services, policies, or institutional activities.
This comprehensive approach ensures that taxpayer-funded resources are dedicated solely to public service, rather than serving as tools for individual aggrandizement. By implementing these measures, Cebu City aims to foster greater transparency and accountability in governance, ultimately strengthening public trust in local government operations.
