The city government of Malabon explained that it is “closely monitoring” the performance of school children following the backlash it received for having the mayor’s photo on the certificate of moving-up ceremonies in the city.
A Twitter user on Sunday, July 23 shared pictures of two Certificates of Recognition with a colored image of Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval on the right side of the document.
One was given to a student from the Catmon Integrated School, specifically awarding the pupil for Excellence in Character Award: Kinder Leader Award and Excellence in Star Reader Award / Budding Mathematician Award.
The other was given to a student who completed kindergarten at the Catmon Integrated School in Malabon.
“Ang kapal naman ng fez (face), ano ho. Ikaw ang nag-move up? Grumaduate? Ilang ink po ang nasayang sa pag-print ng mukha?” the Twitter user said.
Some students and their families also criticized the certificates with the city mayor’s photo.
“Kami po ‘yung naghirap sa certificate, tapos mukha niya ang nakalagay,” a student said to GMA Network’s “24 Oras” report on Saturday, July 22.
“Parang aagawan sila ng spotlight ng nakaupo,” another person was quoted as saying.
In a statement reported by GMA News, the Malabon city government said that the certificate was intended to recognize “the hard work of the child as well as that of the family who worked tirelessly to ensure that their children have a promising future.”
“The new administration closely monitors the performance of the children because it is committed to [ensuring] that all public schools in Malabon are able to provide [the] quality education that our children deserve,” the local government unit (LGU) added.
Department of Education spokesperson Michael Poa said the certificates were “on top of and separate from the Certificates of Completion issued by the DepEd.”
“It’s the LGU’s way of recognizing the learners of Malabon,” he said to Channel 7.
Some Filipinos call instances of politicians placing their names and/or pictures in projects or other initiatives, especially tax-funded ones, as “epal” moves.
In 2019, a legislation dubbed the “anti-epal bill” was refiled in Congress which seeks to prohibit and penalize politicians who post their names and faces on public projects.
“Crediting individuals instead of the government on any public work, project, assistance or program is unethical and a manifestation of the nation’s deeply troubling political patronage,” Rep. Ace Barbers (Surigao, Second District) said before.