Labella says criminalizing the naming of infra projects after politicians too harsh

Sanctions sought by proposed House Bill 5497 criminalizing the practice of naming public roads, schools, government buildings, bridges, health centers or public comfort rooms after politicians who facilitated the construction of such infrastructures are "too harsh and inappropriate".

This was the reaction of councilor Edgardo Labella, chairperson of the committee on laws, ordinances, good government and public accountability in the city council after party-list lawmakers authored House Bill 5497, which imposes stiff penalty for violations.

The proposed measure slaps violators with a fine ranging from P20,000 to P50,000 for first offense; P50,000 to P70,000 and temporary disqualification from holding public office for the second offense; and P100,000 to P300,000 and absolute perpetual disqualification from holding any public office for the third offense.

Under the bill, names of politicians or their relatives are not supposed to be used as names of roads, canals, rivers, torrents, ports and bridges, banks, shores, roadsteads, and other similar public facilities in any parts of the country.

The bill further provides that no public property and government service situated or being implemented within the public official's jurisdiction shall be named after the latter for the duration of his/her term nor shall be named after the official's relatives of up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity.

"While I agree it is improper for politicians to display their names on projects, after all public funds were used, but I think criminalizing it is too much," Labella said.

Labella cited that there is a principal law that penalty must commensurate to violations. He said proposed penalty imposed to the politicians is "too harsh" and "not commensurate".

In the previous Cebu City council, former councilor Vicente Kintanar, Jr. had proposed an ordinance prohibiting the display of names of politicians on public infrastructures, but this failed to pass in the second reading.

Authors of the House bill are party-list Reps. Teodoro Casino, Liza Maza, Satur Ocampo, Joel Virador, Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano, citing that "there is no moral justification for naming after politicians and political families public properties and services that are being financed by the taxpayers' money."

"Such an act is indicative that the public official is soliciting fame and glory from the public and it is nothing but an advertising strategy aimed at furthering one's political ambitions using the taxpayers' money and the country's resources," Casino declared.

"Naming public properties, public services and government programs after an incumbent elected public official's name or initials, or after the latter's relatives' name or initials is an indication that the public official is anchoring his/her family's foothold in politics and provides basis for starting or perpetuating a political dynasty," Maza said. - Garry B. Lao