DILG urges public to report ‘epal’ politicians

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January 14, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday urged the public to report politicians who violate anti-epal rules, warning that repeat offenders could face administrative and even criminal charges.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stressed that citizen participation is crucial in enforcing the prohibition.

“If the politicians commit violations, we call on the people to take photos, post them on Facebook and we can investigate,” Remulla said at a press briefing.

“The anti-epal campaign does not depend on us, but on the people. They have to report so we can act on it,” he added.

Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), elective officials, candidates, politicians, political parties and their representatives are barred from influencing or participating in the actual distribution of government assistance, except officials with direct administrative authority over the implementing agency.

The law also prohibits the display of names, images, mottos, color motifs, initials or any symbol associated with any public official on signboards, billboards and other signages of government programs, projects and properties.

Citing Commission on Audit guidelines, Remulla said project signages should only include essential details such as the project title, start date, contractor and target completion date.

Remulla warned that politicians who repeatedly violate the prohibition may be sanctioned.

“We can file administrative cases against them,” he said. “If the local chief executive’s attitude is recidivist, we can refer it to the ombudsman for administrative and criminal cases.”

The public may use the Sumbong sa Pangulo portal to report any epal or credit-grabbing politicians.

Compliance

Aside from reporting epal politicians, the public is also encouraged to report pharmacies and clinics that fail to provide free essential outpatient medicines to members, as the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) warned that noncompliant facilities could face suspension or loss of accreditation.

PhilHealth senior vice president for health finance policy sector Israel Pargas said accredited providers under the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program are required to maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines.

“If they will not fulfill their commitment under the accreditation, it is possible that they will be stripped of their accreditation, or it will be suspended,” Pargas said in a radio interview.

The warning followed complaints from members that some accredited GAMOT facilities had no available medicines or had run out of essential drugs. Pargas said PhilHealth monitors the performance of accredited providers but relies on public reports to promptly address violations.

PhilHealth reiterated that members must be registered with their chosen PhilHealth YAKAP Clinic to avail themselves of GAMOT benefits. — Emmanuel Tupas, Rhodina Villanueva