Marcos ordered removal of tarp with his photo in cash aid payout —Palace

Malacañang on Friday said President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has instructed the removal of a tarpaulin bearing his photo, which was placed during a distribution of assistance amid the energy challenges faced by the country. 

During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked if the President was exempted in the Anti-Epal policy set forth in the 2026 budget law.

''Noong nakita po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. 'yung isang tarpaulin na mayroon siyang larawan, 'yun po ay inutos niyang tanggalin ang kanyang larawan... Cinall out niya po ang DSWD,'' Castro said. 

(When President Marcos Jr. saw the tarpaulin bearing his photo, he immediately ordered for the removal of his photo. He called out the DSWD.) 

In a Facebook post, BAYAN President Renato Reyes criticized a tarpaulin, which was put out during a payout in Quezon City, as this mentioned that the assistance was from the President: ''Serbisyo at tulong mula kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos.'' (Service and assistance from President Bongbong Marcos.) 

Castro defended the President and said critics will always have something to say about Marcos.

''Kapag po hindi nakikita ang Pangulo at karamihan ay halimbawa nasa meeting lang po siya sa Malacañang, kapag hindi nakikita sa labas ang sasabihin ng iba, 'Nasaan ang Pangulo?' Kapag naman nakikita madalas at nakikitang gumaganap sa kanyang mga programa, ang sasabihin ng iba, namumulitika,'' Castro said. 

(When the President is in a meeting and he's not seen, his critics will look for him. However, if he's visible, some would say that it's a form of politicking.) 

Under Republic Act No. 12314, or the General Appropriations Act (GAA), which sets the national government’s P6.793-trillion budget for 2026, all cash assistance and other financial aid distributions must be conducted exclusively by authorized government officers, personnel, or accredited partners.

Marcos had also emphasized that politicians are barred from distributing financial aid, saying the support must reach beneficiaries “without patronage.”

Castro said the President is not exempted by this provision, however, the public should also know his projects for their welfare. 

Meanwhile, Castro said the DSWD first thought that Marcos was exempted from the Anti-Epal policy, but when the agency was called out, it immediately addressed the situation. —VAL, GMA Integrated News