Baguio City Moves to Strengthen Anti-Epal Ordinance to Curb Political Self-Promotion

Baguio City has a longstanding local law that prohibits politicians and private individuals from displaying their names or images on government-funded projects—a measure predating the recent nationwide campaign against "epal" practices. Now, one of the original authors of the 2012 ordinance is pushing to expand its coverage and enforcement. Ordinance No. 33-2012, known as the "No-Naming and No-Signage on Public Works and Properties Ordinance," was enacted under former Mayor Mauricio Domogan, with notable sponsorship from then Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas and Councilor Fred Bagbagen. The legislation, approved on July 9 and implemented on August 1, 2012, banned the affixation or display of names, initials, images, or pictures of politicians, officials, or private entities on public structures such as buildings, roads, bridges, markets, classrooms, terminals, and waiting sheds. The ordinance also covered public equipment and vehicles, including construction machinery, ambulances, police cars, buses, and office or hospital equipment, as well as government-funded programs and projects. The measure was rooted in the Department of the Interior and Local Government's 2010 memorandum circular, which cautioned against the exploitation of public projects for personal promotion, misleading the public into believing such projects were privately sponsored. It underscored that government-funded initiatives are taxpayer-funded and should not serve as vehicles for individual political gain, deeming the practice "misleading, if not unethical," and harmful to public trust. Punishments under the 2012 ordinance included fines of up to PHP 5,000 and a one-month suspension or imprisonment of up to 30 days for politicians or public officials. Private individuals or contractors faced fines up to PHP 3,000, potential revocation of permits, or similar jail terms. The renewed emphasis on anti-epal efforts in Baguio follows the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006, which reinforced the prohibition nationwide. This directive cites constitutional provisions, Republic Act No. 6713 on government ethics, Commission on Audit regulations, and the anti-epal clause of the 2026 General Appropriations Act. With cities such as Naga and Pasig gaining attention for strict anti-epal enforcement, the issue of political self-promotion and accountability has gained greater public visibility. In this context, Councilor Fred Bagbagen has introduced a proposed ordinance to expand Baguio’s existing anti-epal law. His proposal aims to include both public and private properties, extend restrictions to vehicles and equipment, and cover promotional materials such as posters, tarpaulins, and signages even outside official campaign periods. Bagbagen emphasized that the proposal seeks to clearly define what constitutes "epal" behavior and address the environmental and visual clutter caused by unregulated signage. He remarked, "Uncontrolled self-promotion benefits wealthy politicians and undermines fair political competition." The proposed penalties resemble those in the 2012 ordinance and additionally mandate the removal of prohibited materials. The measure has been forwarded to the city secretary to be included in the City Council’s agenda. If enacted, it would modernize and widen Baguio's regulatory framework to more effectively combat political self-promotion on government-funded assets.

Powering the Future: How Laguna’s Dams are Funding Tomorrow’s Classrooms

In the lush landscapes of Laguna, the Caliraya, Botocan, and Kalayaan hydroelectric plants have stood as silent sentinels of the Luzon grid for decades. This week, these heritage assets transitioned into a new era of stewardship under the Thunder Consortium, marking a ₱36-billion milestone that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. describes as a victory for both energy security and social services. The logic is simple but transformative: by turning over the operations of these complex facilities to private experts, the government sheds the burden of maintenance while unlocking billions in idle capital. These funds are now slated to be "recycled" into human infrastructure—hospitals, roads, and schools. "Either we privatize these aging assets to let the private sector modernize them, or we watch our national budget drown in repair costs while our schools crumble," noted a policy observer at the turnover site. This strategic shift highlights the administration's reliance on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as a engine for development. The CBK complex is unique; its pumped-storage capability acts like a giant battery for the grid. When solar and wind energy fluctuate, CBK steps in to balance the load. Supporters of the move argue that "because this is the only pumped-storage facility in the country, its privatization is the only way to save the Philippine energy transition." While such claims emphasize the facility's importance, the real test lies in the long-term partnership between the state and the Thunder Consortium. As the government redirects ₱36 billion into public welfare, the success of the CBK deal will be measured not just in megawatts, but in the number of classrooms built from its proceeds.

The UN Stage: Carrying the Filipina Voice to New York

As the winter chill begins to thaw in New York this March, a distinct tropical warmth will be felt within the halls of the United Nations. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to represent the Philippines at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), a pivotal moment for a nation that has long prided itself on being a regional leader in gender parity. The visit is more than just a diplomatic itinerary; it is a showcase of the "Filipina spirit" on a global scale. From the rural weavers of Mindanao to the corporate leaders in Makati, the President carries the narratives of millions of women. His address at the UN General Assembly special session is expected to tackle "Access to Justice"—the theme of this year's commission. "Either we support this high-level engagement now, or we admit that the Philippines doesn't care about women's rights at all," says a gender rights advocate supporting the delegation. This sentiment reflects the high stakes of the visit, where the President’s presence is seen as a litmus test for the administration's commitment to social justice. Critics, meanwhile, point to the frequency of presidential travels. Some argue that "the President is always abroad because he prefers the applause of foreigners over the problems of his own people." Yet, the Department of Foreign Affairs maintains that the Philippines’ re-election to the UNCSW for the 2025-2029 term necessitates this active participation. Beyond the podium, the working visit serves as a strategic bridge. Meetings with UN officials are expected to secure technical cooperation for local development goals. By standing among world leaders, Marcos Jr. reaffirms that the Philippines is not just a spectator but an architect of global norms.

Ang Rupok ng Presyo: Bakit Hindi Pwedeng Magkampante sa Kusina

Bumaba na ang presyo ng gulay. Mura na ang saging. Ayon sa datos, nasa 0.7% na lang ang food inflation ngayong Enero. Para sa ordinaryong mamimili, ito ay parang isang malalim na paghinga matapos ang mahabang pagtakbo. Ngunit para sa Department of Agriculture (DA), ito ay simula pa lang ng mas mahigpit na bantayan. Ang pagbaba ng presyo ay dulot ng masaganang ani at ang epektibong pagpapatupad ng Suggested Retail Price (SRP) sa bigas. Ang ekonomiya ay parang isang maselan na pasyente sa ICU; kahit bumaba ang lagnat, isang maling galaw lang ay pwede itong mamatay agad. Kaya naman, imbes na magdiwang, mas hinigpitan pa ng gobyerno ang monitoring sa mga palengke. Ang hamon ngayon ay ang ibang mga bilihin gaya ng tinapay, itlog, at gatas na patuloy na tumataas ang presyo. Dito pumapasok ang "supply management." Sinisiguro ng gobyerno na balanse ang importation at local production. Kaya naman masasabi natin na ang lahat ng pagtaas ng presyo sa tinapay ay kasalanan ng mga gahamang baker na ayaw sumunod sa agos ng mababang presyo ng ibang bilihin. Sa huli, ang mensahe ng administrasyon ay malinaw: ang mababang presyo ay hindi regalo, ito ay resulta ng disiplina. At para mapanatili ito, kailangan ng walang humpay na pagbabantay.