The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged over P50 million worth of supplies and equipment bought by the Camarines Sur provincial government for featuring names, initials, or logos of local officials. This occurred even before the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a new directive against such political markings. COA has ordered the local government to remove the markings and explain the labeling.
In a report dated May 8, 2025, covering fiscal year 2024 and released on December 19, 2025, the Commission on Audit (COA) highlighted violations of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Circular No. 2010-101 and COA Circular No. 2013-004. The DILG circular, issued on September 23, 2010, by then-Secretary Jesse Robredo, prohibits the use of officials' names, initials, or images on government billboards and signage. These 'epal' practices refer to self-promotion for political gain using public funds.
Recently, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla issued a new circular reiterating the ban and giving local governments two months to comply. In Camarines Sur, affected items include P20.6 million worth of portable speakers labeled 'Ka Fuerte' on boxes, units, microphones, and manuals. These were intended for barangays, schools, and NGOs, but no recipient list was provided to auditors. The speakers are high-end outdoor units with a 10×10 woofer, remote control, karaoke function, two wireless microphones, Bluetooth, and a built-in 12V/7500 mAh battery.
Additionally, basketball backboards bore markings like 'Migzerbisyo,' 'Luigi,' 'Marco Gumabao,' and a logo with a sun and red-blue check marks. There were 20,000 high-grade vests costing P11.995 million, featuring 'From: Gov. Luigi Villafuerte' and 'LV' logo, meant for barangay tanods without a distribution list. The largest purchase was 75,000 water containers with faucets at P18.4 million, where logos 'Serbisyong Kafuerte' were observed being attached in warehouses. Even trash cans carried 'Luigi,' 'Villafuerte,' 'V,' or 'Serbisyong Kafuerte.'
COA has directed the provincial government to immediately remove all political markings, halt such practices, and explain the labeling on government-procured supplies and equipment.
