PH Anti-Epal Campaign Receives International Attention

In the Philippines, politics can quite literally be a circus; with names and faces of politicians on billboards, bus stops, road projects, and even on electric posts. And not just during elections, but all year round. But as CCTV correspondent Barnaby Lo reports, a campaign is underway to change this culture of grandstanding.

On Manila's busy streets, bikers take advantage of a relatively traffic-free Sunday… but these bikers aren’t out just to take a leisurely ride… they’re out to get them – those politicians who they say have their names and faces plastered all over. Like this guy... who has one, two, three, four... and many more posters all on this avenue… ranging from road repairs to an invitation to a tennis tournament.


Vincent Lazatin, Founder of "No More Epal", said, This is part of a larger campaign to bring more attention to this issue and to eventually put pressure on the politicians to stop doing it. But it's a practice that’s been done for decades. From oversized billboards to location markers to pedestrian walkways to school buildings and even business permits… Philippine politicians spare no corner or space.

The next election in the Philippines isn't until next year. But it's really not hard to see that politicians have begun campaigning. In fact, it feels like it’s campaign season all year round. It’s become common practice for politicians here to put up their names and faces whenever and wherever possible.

EPAL is what these bikers are calling these politicians… a street word that in English, roughly means someone who's grandstanding, is too showy or too vain. And these bikers are not alone in their mission.. the campaign has also gone viral.

Noemi Dado is the co-founder of Epal Watch, one of the few websites that collects quote, epal photos taken by ordinary citizens who are also fed up with the practice. And at the heart of the issue is the money used to fund the so-called epal or vanity projects. Noemi Lardizabal-Dado, Co-founder of Epal Watch, said, These projects are really for free but they're just using their face that they did it. But it's really mandatory for the government to give the service or the project.

The practice persists despite an order from the national government in 2010 to prohibit it, but the campaign; both online and offline – has taken off and in fact, this politician took down this poster soon after these bikers posted photos online. Lazatin said, It is about direct citizens’ action. It is about citizens standing up and demanding from their public servants to stop this behavior.

Source: CNTV,Everythinginbudget