LEGAZPI, Philippines – The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged over P50 million worth of supplies and equipment purchased by the Camarines Sur provincial government for bearing the names, initials, or logos of local officials, even before the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a new directive against such political markings.

In its May 8, 2025 report covering 2024 – but released only on December 19, 2025 – COA noted that the procured items breached Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Circular No. 2010-101 and COA Circular No. 2013-004, as they bore “markings, logos and symbols associated with specific officials” of the province.

The DILG order targeted the so-called “epal” practices – forms of self-promotion for political gain using public funds.

The DILG circular, issued on September 23, 2010, by then-secretary Jesse Robredo, “banned the names or initials and/or images or pictures of government officials on billboards and signages of government programs and properties.” COA’s circular states that items violating the DILG circular are considered irregular expenditures.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla recently issued another circular reiterating the prohibition and gave local governments a two-month period to comply with the directive.

The audit report said that among the purchases were portable speakers amounting to P20.6 million. While the brand name of the equipment was missing, the label “Ka Fuerte” was printed on the box, speaker unit, microphones, and manuals.

The speakers were reportedly intended for distribution to barangays, schools, and non-government organizations, although the provincial government did not provide auditors with the list of recipients, the report stated. 

The speakers were described as high-end outdoor party units featuring a 10×10 woofer, remote control, karaoke function, two wireless microphones, Bluetooth connectivity, and a built-in 12V/7500 mAh battery.

COA also called out the provincial government for procuring basketball backboards marked “Migzerbisyo,” “Luigi,” “Marco Gumabao,” and a logo featuring a sun with two red and blue check marks.

Included in the audit observation were 20,000 high-grade outdoor vests with eight pockets, purchased at P599.75 each for a total of P11.995 million. These were allegedly intended for barangay tanods, but no distribution list was provided to auditors. 

According to the report, the vests were marked “From: Gov. Luigi Villafuerte” on the front and “Gov. Luigi Villafuerte” on the back, along with the “LV” logo on both sides.

The largest purchase in both number and cost were water containers with faucets. The provincial government bought 75,000 pieces at P244.95 each, totaling P18.4 million. 

Auditors reported that the containers were stored in multiple warehouses, where they observed personnel attaching logos marked “Serbisyong Kafuerte.”

Even trash cans were reportedly branded, marked with “Luigi,” “Villafuerte,” “V,” or “Serbisyong Kafuerte.”

COA has directed the provincial government of Camarines Sur to immediately remove all political markings, cease such practices, and explain why government-procured supplies and equipment were labeled in this manner. – Rappler.com