Manny Pacquiao Wants to Pass a Bill That Prevents Credit-Grabbing Government Officials From Naming Projects After Them!

Neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao wants Congress to pass a measure against “self-promoting or credit-grabbing” public officials, commonly associated to as “epal.”

According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manny Pacquiao filed Senate Bill No. 1535 on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, which prohibits politicians from naming government projects after them. The source cited excerpts of Manny Pacquiao’s words written on the proposed bill, which read:

 “Over the years, elected or appointed public officials have been either appending their names on signage of public works and various government activities or label such projects after their names.”

“Although these government projects are facilitated by their office, the fact remains that these are funded by the tax levied from Filipino people. In colloquial term, these public officials are referred to as ‘epal’ or credit-grabbers and attention seekers.”

Pacquiao said this “unethical practice” has led the public to believe that the projects named after incumbent government officials were indeed sponsored by them.

“This bill seeks to uphold the honesty, integrity, and transparency to foster good governance in public service,” he said as he pressed for its swift passage in the Senate.

Pacquiao’s bill proposes a fine of up to P1 million and one year imprisonment for any person who would violate the provisions of the measure.

Other lawmakers, including the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, also filed the same bill in the past Congresses.