MANILA(Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 14, 2011) – A Filipino lawmaker on Monday said while the “Anti-Epal” bill is getting some headway in the Senate, a more substantive bill that goes beyond faces on tarpaulins and signs is needed to stop the practice of public officials using government projects and programs to promote themselves and their political dynasties.
The Anti-Epal bill, which was originally proposed by Senator Miriam Santiago, is “An Act Prohibiting Public Officers from Claiming Credit through Signage Announcing a Public Works Project.”
Santiagosaid public officials have no rights to claim any credits from projects paid by tax payer’s money.“It is a prevalent practice among public officers, whether elected or appointed, to append their names to public works projects which were either funded or facilitated through their office,” she said.
Under the proposed law, violators will face at least 6 months to one year of jail term if proven guilty.
But Congressman Teddy Casiño said more than credit grabbing signs, the more insidious way to instill political patronage and promote a politician’s dynasty is to name government projects and programs after oneself.
He said an example would be politicians naming public parks or buildings after themselves, or government programs like the Arroyo administration’s Ginintuang Masagana Ani or GMA farm inputs program.
Casiño led in filing such a measure since the 13th Congress and has re-filed it in the 15th Congress under House Bill 2309.
He said unlike putting up temporary tarpaulins or signs, the naming of public places after oneself or one’s relative is permanent and institutionalizes political patronage, making it a common practice among old and new political dynasties.
The lawmaker said such a measure, more than merely banning credit-grabbing signs, was needed to curb political dynasties in the country.
He said a recent study conducted by the Asian Institute of Management revealed that 68% of the members of the 15th Congress had kinship links to legislators in the 12th, 13th and 14th Congress or local government officials elected in 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010.
“With this “Anti-epal” bill, we hope that we can help democratize political power instead of keeping it concentrated in the hands of a few. We hope our colleagues in the House can see the importance and urgency of this measure,” he said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
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