Marcos orders removal of cash aid tarpaulin with his photo

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the removal of a tarpaulin bearing his photo at a cash aid distribution site, Malacañang said. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the directive was in line with Marcos’ commitment to the "anti-epal" provision of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Castro said the president himself called out the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) over the issue. "When President Marcos Jr. saw a tarpaulin that had his picture on it, he ordered that his image be removed. So now it’s no longer there—he addressed it, he called out the DSWD," Castro said during a press briefing on Friday. Castro issued the statement after Bayan president Renato Reyes questioned whether Marcos was exempt from the “anti-epal” provision, citing a tarpaulin that read: "Serbisyo at Tulong mula kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos (Service and assistance from President Bongbong Marcos)." The 2026 GAA specifically prohibits public officials, candidates, politicians, political parties or their representatives from taking part in or influencing the distribution of cash assistance for political mileage or to further their own interests. Castro said while the president was not exempted from this provision, the public should also know his projects for their welfare.

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