Malacañang said President Marcos’ visible public engagements and program updates are meant to inform Filipinos—not for self-promotion—amid criticism over alleged violations of the anti-epal policy.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President himself does not want his image used in government assistance activities.

“Ang mga nakikita ninyong trabaho ng Pangulo ay hindi self-promotion, kung hindi information (What you see from the President’s work is not self-promotion, but information),” Castro said in a press briefing on Friday, March 27.

She stressed that the Palace is simply keeping the public informed of government actions and programs.

According to Castro, Marcos even immediately ordered the removal of a tarpaulin bearing his image during a cash assistance payout.

“Noong nakita po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. iyong isang tarpaulin na mayroon siyang larawan, iyon po ay iniutos niyang tanggalin… kinol out niya po ang DSWD (When the President saw a tarpaulin with his image, he ordered its removal and called out the Department of Social Welfare and Development),” she said.

She reiterated that the President does not support “pa-epal” practices.

“So, muli, ayaw ng Pangulo ng pa-epal (Once again, the President does not want self-promotion),” Castro said.

The Palace official also pointed out the conflicting criticism faced by the President.

“Kapag hindi nakikita ang Pangulo… ang sasabihin, nasaan ang Pangulo? Kapag naman nakikitang madalas… sasabihin namumulitika (If the President is not seen, people ask where he is; if he is seen often, they say he is politicking),” Castro said.

“So, hindi natin alam ano ba ang nais ng mga taong ito (We don’t know what these people really want),” she added.

Castro cited the President’s recent activities as part of efforts to address national concerns.

On March 23, Marcos welcomed 343 repatriated Filipinos from the Middle East at Villamor Air Base. He then traveled to Camarines Sur to inspect food processing and cold storage facilities aimed at stabilizing food supply and prices.

On March 24, the President visited the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange to oversee the rollout of fuel subsidies for transport workers.

The following day, he led the send-off of 290 doctors under the Doctors to the Barrios program, the largest batch deployed to underserved areas.

On March 26, Marcos inspected agricultural and storage facilities in Isabela and visited a Super Health Center, where he also witnessed the turnover of patient transport vehicles.

Castro said these engagements reflect the administration’s ongoing efforts to respond to economic challenges and deliver services to Filipinos.

“Tutok sa trabaho, tuloy-tuloy lang ang serbisyo (Focused on work, service continues),” she said.