MALACANANG on Wednesday welcomed the proposal to penalize politicians who will use the image and name of President Benigno Aquino III in setting up billboards for government projects.

This is accordance to the order released by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) banning the practice of the displaying names and photos of government officials in administration programs across the country.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said they support the principle of punishing officials but they will leave it to Congress to determine what penalty to impose on violators.

Senator Francis Chiz Escudero earlier pushed for criminalizing the use of public officials’ names in government projects.

This was backed by several congressmen including Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez who suggested stiffer penalty on such acts. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)