Palace defends govt ‘infomercials’

A Malacañang official on Tuesday defended Cabinet members who have infomercials on television and radio, saying these is part of their mandate to inform the public about the programs of their departments. “As far as I'm concerned, what the Cabinet members are doing is just within their mandate to be able to disseminate information pertaining to their departments," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in an ambush interview. Ermita made the statement three days after the Manila Regional Trial Court issued a temporary restraining order against the airing of the infomercials. The issuance of the TRO was based on a petition filed by lawyer Ernesto Franciso Jr. Ermita said government lawyers would address the cases against the Cabinet members. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who was one of those affected by the issuance of the TRO last Friday, expressed regret that his constitutional duty to inform the public has been stifled. Duque is one of several Cabinet members being eyed by the administration to run for senator in the 2010 national elections. But in radio interview earlier in the day, he said he is not inclined to “waste his time" if the surveys show that he has little chance of winning. “Tingnan natin ang survey. Kung kulelat tayo sa survey huwag natin pagsayangin ng panahon (I’ll look at the surveys. If I fare poorly, I’d rather not waste my time)," Duque told dzXL radio. - GMANews.TV