Rivals attack Villar at Inquirer debate for ‘misleading’ ads
02/08/2010 | 11:49 AM
Presidential candidates assembled by the Inquirer for a debate at the University of the Philippines in Diliman on Monday took turns attacking Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar Jr. for his political ads, his claim to be pro-poor, and supposed conflict of interest involving his businesses.
"The use of actors — you had to pay P30 million [for them] to endorse you — is an insult to the Filipino intelligence," said Senator Jamby Madrigal, despite admitting she used drama actress Judy Ann Santos as an endorser when she ran for senator in 2004.
Madrigal, a staunch Villar critic, also criticized the billionaire candidate for using children in his ads. "I have no children [in my ads]. My ads are merely a reflection of my political platforms and principles," she added.
Ang Kapatiran's JC delos Reyes said that if he had Villar's money, he would not spend so much on "empty" advertisements.
According to Nielsen Media Research, Villar was one of the highest advertisers in the last quarter of 2009, and was the only individual and candidate, at 14th place, on a list of the top 20 advertisers, beating out some established commercial brands. Villar supposedly spent P543 million from October to December last year.
Villar has improved his showing in recent surveys on presidential preference, narrowing his gap with Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
Senator Richard Gordon also criticized candidates who project themselves as being pro-poor.
"If you claim to be pro-poor, you show it. But what is happening? The poor are becoming poorer. Once they are in power, they forget their promises. If a leader does not want to be held accountable, then he should not be voted," Gordon said in Filipino.
Villar, however, defended himself when asked how he would separate his business interests from his political life. He said he was already rich when he entered politics, adding that he stopped being a businessman when he became a politician.
"I have stopped being a businessman a long time ago. I was the industry leader. We became an industry leader, homebuilder before I entered politics," Villar said.
He likewise defended his rise from poverty. "Why is it too hard to believe that a poor man can make himself rich through honest means," he said in Filipino.
Madrigal, for her part, said she regrets having used Judy Ann Santos in her 2004 campaign. "I have seen the folly my ways and I will not repeat that because I don't believe that we should perpetuate lies [using] a thick budget."
Asked if she could say anything good about Villar, Madrigal replied: “Maganda ang pagka-tina ng buhok niya (I like how his hair is dyed)."
Other topics
The candidates also tackled how they plan to deal with problems concerning the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the environment.
Gilberto Teodoro Jr., a former Defense chief, and Gordon agreed for a modernized military.
Teodoro said the AFP’s P5-billion modernization budget is measly compared to other countries like Taiwan.
“We have to address the material needs of the Armed Forces which are really not addressed by the modernization budget. Five billion pesos a year may look big but it is not enough, Teodoro said. "You cannot have good culture if you don't have competence."
Alleged corruption in the AFP should also be eradicated, said Gordon, adding that soldiers are being deprived of their privileges because funds go into the wrong hands.
Meanwhile, independent candidate Nicanor Perlas vowed to protect the environment. A known environmentalist, he disagreed that there is conflict between development and the indigenous peoples desire to protect the environment.
"I think this conflict is artificial," Perlas said "I know for a fact that due to my direct contact to the indigenous peoples that they consider environment and development as one whole."
To reconcile the problem, Perlas said the government should come up with a process where development could be done while respecting the people's culture.
"This is not being done properly in the past. So, we to look for a solution that respects their rights as well as their aspiration for development," Perlas added. — Sophia Regina Dedace, Jam Sisante, Aie B. See/NPA/HGS, GMANews.TV
"The use of actors — you had to pay P30 million [for them] to endorse you — is an insult to the Filipino intelligence," said Senator Jamby Madrigal, despite admitting she used drama actress Judy Ann Santos as an endorser when she ran for senator in 2004.
Madrigal, a staunch Villar critic, also criticized the billionaire candidate for using children in his ads. "I have no children [in my ads]. My ads are merely a reflection of my political platforms and principles," she added.
Ang Kapatiran's JC delos Reyes said that if he had Villar's money, he would not spend so much on "empty" advertisements.
According to Nielsen Media Research, Villar was one of the highest advertisers in the last quarter of 2009, and was the only individual and candidate, at 14th place, on a list of the top 20 advertisers, beating out some established commercial brands. Villar supposedly spent P543 million from October to December last year.
Villar has improved his showing in recent surveys on presidential preference, narrowing his gap with Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
Senator Richard Gordon also criticized candidates who project themselves as being pro-poor.
"If you claim to be pro-poor, you show it. But what is happening? The poor are becoming poorer. Once they are in power, they forget their promises. If a leader does not want to be held accountable, then he should not be voted," Gordon said in Filipino.
Villar, however, defended himself when asked how he would separate his business interests from his political life. He said he was already rich when he entered politics, adding that he stopped being a businessman when he became a politician.
"I have stopped being a businessman a long time ago. I was the industry leader. We became an industry leader, homebuilder before I entered politics," Villar said.
He likewise defended his rise from poverty. "Why is it too hard to believe that a poor man can make himself rich through honest means," he said in Filipino.
Madrigal, for her part, said she regrets having used Judy Ann Santos in her 2004 campaign. "I have seen the folly my ways and I will not repeat that because I don't believe that we should perpetuate lies [using] a thick budget."
Asked if she could say anything good about Villar, Madrigal replied: “Maganda ang pagka-tina ng buhok niya (I like how his hair is dyed)."
Other topics
The candidates also tackled how they plan to deal with problems concerning the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the environment.
Gilberto Teodoro Jr., a former Defense chief, and Gordon agreed for a modernized military.
Teodoro said the AFP’s P5-billion modernization budget is measly compared to other countries like Taiwan.
“We have to address the material needs of the Armed Forces which are really not addressed by the modernization budget. Five billion pesos a year may look big but it is not enough, Teodoro said. "You cannot have good culture if you don't have competence."
Alleged corruption in the AFP should also be eradicated, said Gordon, adding that soldiers are being deprived of their privileges because funds go into the wrong hands.
Meanwhile, independent candidate Nicanor Perlas vowed to protect the environment. A known environmentalist, he disagreed that there is conflict between development and the indigenous peoples desire to protect the environment.
"I think this conflict is artificial," Perlas said "I know for a fact that due to my direct contact to the indigenous peoples that they consider environment and development as one whole."
To reconcile the problem, Perlas said the government should come up with a process where development could be done while respecting the people's culture.
"This is not being done properly in the past. So, we to look for a solution that respects their rights as well as their aspiration for development," Perlas added. — Sophia Regina Dedace, Jam Sisante, Aie B. See/NPA/HGS, GMANews.TV
