The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is calling on citizens to report local government officials who engage in self-promotion, particularly barangay chairpersons and other barangay officials.

In a statement released on Monday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla made the appeal following a warning from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who reminded politicians to refrain from showing up at venues where government aid is being distributed.

According to the DILG, complaints against self-promoting barangay officials should be filed with the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) or Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council).

“Epal’ complaints against local officials down to the barangay constitute administrative cases and preventive suspension, and must be filed in the proper forum," Remulla said.

The DILG further said the "complaints against erring and ‘epal’ elected and appointed officials of the barangays should be filed in the "proper forum" as prescribed by Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, instituting the protocol in filing complaints for all local government officials, including barangay leaders."

DILG added that complaints may also be elevated to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The agency emphasized that barangay officials may face preventive suspension of up to 60 days if there is sufficient evidence supporting the filed complaint.

The DILG issued the statement ten months ahead of the scheduled Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in November.