Politicians’ ‘faces’ to stay at Capitol

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale is not yet keen on removing hanged portraits of political leaders inside the Capitol as President Duterte wants for all offices, unless there is a formal communication from the national government.

Though she was amenable to Duterte's idea, she said the provincial government cannot impose it at the moment without the formal order.

“Protocol man gud na (to put up government officials' pictures). Ato lang na nga gisunod nga ibutang na diha. But if the President orders to do away with that, we will abide,” Magpale said.

Initially, she said she already gave instructions to her staff to cover her photos on posters with women protection hotlines.

Earlier, Duterte said he wants to issue a decree mandating the removal of the pictures of elected officials displayed in government offices.

He prefers that the portraits be replaced with pictures of national heroes to inspire younger generations to visit the offices.

Duterte said there are, infact, hanged portraits of elected officials who were subjects of graft and corruption cases.

The Palace issued last September 5 a memorandum asking public offices to hang portraits of heroes but was only released on September 27.

The memo, which stipulated that it would take effect immediately, read: “Directing all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations, state universities and colleges and public schools at all levels, to display or exhibit photographs or paintings or other visual forms of representations of Philippine heroes.”

Although an order to put up portraits of heroes has been released, no order has been issued to remove portraits of elected government officials.