A new letterhead of a barangay in Metro Manila was lauded for removing the names of local officials as part of its efforts to follow an anti-“epal” initiative.
Barangay Kapitolyo Captain Alex Torres of Pasig City shared photos of the old and new letterheads of their barangay, saying it is part of their efforts to distance themselves from traditional patronage politics and to implement the anti-“epal” initiative.
The old letterhead listed the names and positions of barangay officials along the left margin, while the new version removes these and simply identifies the barangay itself.
“Maliit man pero makikita dito ang malinaw nating katayuan sa pagbago ng sistema. Hindi dapat pulitiko at personalidad ang tinitignan sa pag-go-gobyerno pero ang sistema at institusyon na kailangan ng reporma,” Torres said in a Facebook post on January 31.
“Mananatiling aligned ang Kapitolyo sa magandang pamamahala ng Lungsod at DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government],” he added.
Torres’ post has amassed 7,300 likes and reactions, 1,900 shares and over 125 comments from Filipinos, with some praising the initiative.
“Yesss! Ganyan dapat, let those names speak from action. Hindi sila dapat makilala lang by name and roles sa papel, kung gusto nilang mahalin sila ng tao at makilala, their actions should speak for them,” a Facebook user said.
“This is nice. It’s now time to make the work speak louder than the name. That’s public service,” another commented.
“And also for consistency and legitimacy — so kahit iba na ang leaders, the look and form remains the same! Looks very established,” a different Pinoy said.
“As it should! Other barangay pa nga, may half-body pic pa ni Kap na para bang siya ang mag-aapply ng trabaho kapag humingi ka ng barangay clearance,” another commented.
In the comments section, Torres said that the initiative was “in compliance with a circular from the Liga ng Mga Barangay sa Pilipinas.”
Liga National Circular No. 2026-002 states that “public documents and issuances of the barangay must reflect the collective authority of the institution rather than the identity or image of any individual official.”
It added that barangay leaders are “directed to refrain from putting their names, images, or likenesses in barangay issuances, certificates, identification documents, signage, or other official communications and materials issued in the name of the Barangay Government.”
“This directive seeks to ensure that all official communications remain non-partisan, institutional in character, and focused solely on the delivery of public service.”
Torres said he shared the new look of their barangay letterhead “to inform the public” and “not to claim credit.”
“This is part of our continuing effort to follow proper guidelines and uphold professionalism in our comms [communications],” he commented.
The barangay captain also said that such initiatives should be the “bare minimum” in public service.
“Ang tunay kong opinyon dito ay sana ‘di natin palakpakan ang mga ganitong bagay, DAPAT BARE MINIMUM na ang ganitong klase ng pamamahala,” Torres wrote in the comments section.
“DAPAT AUTOMATIC nating makita na ang lahat ng ahensya ng govyerno ay isang insitution at hindi mga indibidwal na tao. Let’s build a better Philippines para sa susunod na henerasyon,” he added.
As part of its anti-“epal” drive, the Department of Interior and Local Government reminded officials that “government projects, programs, activities, and properties are funded through public funds and are implemented in the interested of the general welfare.”
“As such, these undertakings must remain politically neutral and free from any form of self-promotion by public officials,” it said in its DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006.
The DILG said such initiatives are carried out “to uphold accountability, political neutrality, and the principle that public office is a public trust.”
Meanwhile, “epal” is a colloquial term for “mapapel”, or someone who seeks credit or attention. The term is commonly used to describe politicians who prominently display their names and images on government projects, even though these are funded by taxpayers.
