Lucy's billboards violate, ordinance, DILG memo

LAWMAKER OR LAW BREAKER?Young men who fetch water from the flowing well in Agua Dulce, Dist. 15 ply their trade under two tarpaulins of Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez that scream of an asphalt overlay project and the Congressional Cup, both government-funded activities. The tarpaulins are are a brazen violation of DILG Memo Circular No. 2010-101 prohibiting the display of public officials' names and faces on announcements of government projects. Similar tarpaulins are prominently scattered all over 4th District.

THE tarpaulins bearing the faces of Rep. Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez and her husband Richard scattered all over Leyte 4^th District are violations of the law, reason why those are under fire in Kananga town. Mayor Elmer C. Codilla has expressed intention to comply with the law by getting rid of the tarpaulins in his town.

Mayor Codilla is referring to Provincial Ordinance No. 2011-05 approved by the Sangguniang Lalawigan on Sept. 13 prohibiting the posting of any kind of signage on trees. Violators will be fined P500 for the first offense; P2,000 or one month imprisonment, 2^nd; and P5,000 or six months imprisonment upon the court’s discretion.

Also violated is Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2010-101 prohibiting the putting of billboards and signages bearing the names and images of public officials on all government projects and properties including vehicles.

The Memo states that “the practice of putting up billboards or signages bearing the names, initials and images of government officials on government programs and projects has been noticeably abused and misused by some public officials for their personal interest and has taken the credit away from the taxpayers who are the ones paying for such programs through their tax payment.

“Pursuant to the DILG’s thrust to uphold local governance, the practice of putting up billboards and signages and other information materials bearing the names, initials or pictures of government personalities on all government projects and properties (fire trucks, ambulances, vehicles, etc.) are hereby prohibited.”

Rep. Gomez’s tarpaulins are blatant violation of the law, Mayor Codilla said, and the DILG memorandum empowers Local Chief Executives like him “to revisit all government projects and properties and to ensure that this policy is strictly observed.”

The 4^th District is littered with Rep. Gomez’s tarpaulins bearing her facing taking credit for projects like asphalt overlay, water connection, multi-purpose halls, etc. Her supporters reason these are not violations of the DILG memo which is addressed only to local chief executives. But they conveniently set aside the words “public officials” and “government personalities” in the memo.

Most of Rep. Gomez’s tarpaulins have nothing to do with government projects though, giving the impression these do not violate the law. But Executive Asst. IV Ma. Luisa M. Aseo of the mayor’s office said the lady solon should also consider the spirit of the law against bannering public officials’ faces and names.

Even before the enactment of the memorandum and ordinance, Aseo said Mayor Codilla already shunned putting his photo and name on his projects. This was confirmed by Engr. Simeon A. Sanchez who has contracted municipal government projects like the slaughterhouse and a basketball court in poblacion. by Gerardo C. Reyes, Jr.

(Issue of Oct. 3-9, 2011)