Liloan flagged on political marks on gov’t materials

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has called out the Municipality of Liloan for attaching the identifying marks of local officials on government-funded materials, raising concerns over compliance with rules against unnecessary political branding.

In the 2025 Annual Audit Report (AAR), COA said tarpaulins displayed during municipal programs and activities, as well as municipal vehicles, carried the names, pictures, taglines, and initials of the municipal mayor and other officials, contrary to government guidelines under the Anti-Epal campaign.

The audit team said the practice could give the impression that government-funded initiatives were being used for political promotion.

“Several photos posted on the official Facebook page of the Municipality of Liloan show non-compliance with the government’s Anti-Epal campaign,” a portion of the report stated.

COA cited Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2010-101, which prohibits the placement of names, initials, images, or photographs of government personalities on billboards, signages, and other informational materials for government programs, projects, and properties.

Under the circular, government projects and properties should carry only the official seal or name of the local government unit (LGU).

Contact information, including the LGU’s website or email address, may also be included.

The audit team also cited COA Circular No. 2013-004, which identifies the display of images, mottos, logos, color motifs, initials, and other symbols associated with top officials as unnecessary on government signboards.

The prohibition also covers equipment and facilities, vehicles, wrappers, containers, tokens, souvenirs, calendars, ballpens, T-shirts and other apparel, as well as publicity materials related to government programs, projects and activities.

COA said these provisions had been incorporated into the 2025 General Appropriations Act, specifically Section 19, which prohibits the display or attachment of public officials’ names, images, and likenesses on government projects funded under the law.

The state auditors also acknowledged that government agencies are expected to inform the public about their programs, projects and activities but stressed that such efforts must avoid unnecessary branding that could be construed as political promotion.

The inclusion of names, logos and symbols associated with specific public officials on government-funded materials, the audit team said, raises questions about compliance with the existing guidelines.

The findings did not state that the materials were used for partisan activities but raised concerns over the appearance of political promotion arising from the officials’ identifying marks.

COA recommended that the municipal mayor and other concerned officials stop imprinting or displaying their names, initials, logos, and images on the municipality’s programs, projects, activities, and properties.

The recommendation was intended to ensure compliance with COA Circular No. 2013-004 and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-101.

In its response to the audit observation, the municipal government said the identifying details were included on certain materials to improve public awareness and program visibility, rather than for partisan or promotional purposes.

The local government, however, recognized the need to strictly follow the applicable guidelines and said it had taken steps to align its practices with the rules.

“Nonetheless, the Municipality recognizes the need for strict adherence to applicable guidelines and has undertaken to align future practices accordingly,” its response stated.

The municipality also reported that all newly procured equipment now bears only markings identifying it as property of the LGU of Liloan, with the implementation of the standard already underway.

“The Audit Team acknowledges Management’s proactive response to the recommendation,” COA said.

Moreover, the municipality was advised to ensure that future materials, equipment, and properties comply with the Anti-EPAL rules governing the use of public funds. (CEBU NEWS)