CAGAYAN De Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy today ordered the removal of all names, images, photos, stickers, or any identifiable markings of any politician, public officer, or political party, whether incumbent or not, to all government-owned properties under the city's respective offices or departments.

In his memorandum order No. 1325 2022, Uy specifically orders the removal of names, images, photos, stickers, or any identifiable markings of any politician, public officer, or political party in all government-owned properties.

It said that Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that public office is a public trust.

“Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives,” the statement said.

Also, the ‘Anti-Epal Bill’ seeks to prohibit and penalize government officials who post their names and faces on government projects funded with taxpayers’ money.

“Refrain from putting your names and faces on government documents,” this is also the stern reminder of Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Jeremiah Belgica to government officials.

On March 15, 2021, Belgica reminded government officials to strike out names and faces on public documents in compliance with the Anti-Epal provision or General Provision No. 82 of the adopted 2021 National Budget.

The undersigned, Uy said that being an advocate of the “Anti-Epal Law” introduced by Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao in the Second Regular Session of the Seventeenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines adheres to an Anti-Epal Policy in this current administration.

On the account of the foregoing, Mayor Uy directed to cause the removal of all names, images, photos, stickers, or any identifiable markings of any politician, public officer, or political party, whether incumbent or not, to all government-owned properties under your respective office or department.

He added that whether movable or immovable, such as but not limited to: vehicles, motorcycles, buildings, and overpasses, and to submit a report of your compliance with this Order thereof.