CBCP exec backs Miriam on posters

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday expressed support for a bill filed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago seeking to remove posters and billboards of politicians on projects they have in their respective local government units.

Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of the CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (Nassa), said that the purpose of the bill, called An Act Prohibiting Public Officers from Claiming Credit through Signage Announcing a Public Works Project, also complements the teachings of the Holy Bible.

“This bill is good and it is also biblical. Jesus said that do not show your left hand what your right hand is showing. Service should not be used to promote their personal interest. It is like saying that don’t let your left hand know the good things that your right (hand) is doing,” said Gariguez.

The proposed measure is already in the Senate committee level. 

“These people in the government should really give their total dedicated service to the people. The services that they give should not serve their own personal interest so in the light of the gospel the proposal of Senator Santiago is very appropriate,” he added.

Malacañang had already announced its support for the bill.

Santiago said public officials should not claim credit for projects funded by taxpayers’ money.

She added that these attention-grabbers “promote a culture of political patronage and corruption.”

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Malacañang welcomes the initiative of Santiago, referring to Senate Bill 1967 that would prohibit politicians from claiming credit for projects built using public funds. 

She said that this has always been the policy of the Aquino administration, noting the remarks the President made shortly after he assumed office when he directed agencies to remove his posters and billboards on government-funded projects.

“The President was very clear on that from early on, that he doesn’t want such practice. You could see, that there are no billboard with the President’s face, only the project,” she said.

President Aquino directed in August 2010 all government officials to refrain from using his name and image on government projects or propaganda materials particularly those funded by taxpayers’ money.

“I’m not really into the personality thing. I assume there will be less of it,” Aquino said.