Rivals take digs at Villar's ads in presidential debate

After climbing to the top in opinion polls, Senator Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party found himself at the receiving end of verbal attacks from fellow contenders for the country's top post during the Philippine Daily Inquirer's presidential debate on Monday. Villar's staunchest critic in the Senate, Senator Jamby Madrigal, was the first to criticize his numerous and frequent ads that play up his ascent from being a poor boy from Tondo to a self-made billionaire and influential politician. "The jingles, the use of the children, the use of actors... just to endorse you is an insult to the Filipino intelligence," said Madrigal. "People who have spent P2 billion [on] ads who think they can buy Malacañang have no right ..." Madrigal said, trailing off as the crowd cheered wildly. While the presidential candidates in the May elections also discussed their platforms during the debate, the taunts on Villar's advertisements stood out and elicited the strongest reactions from the audience. Villar's ads play up his experience as a poor boy from the slums who made good, with jingles containing lyrics like "nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura?" He has also been endorsed by Comedy King Dolphy, popular comedian Michael V., TV host Willie Revillame, and pop star Sarah Geronimo, among others. Villar and Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III were neck and neck in the latest Pulse Asia survey, with Aquino getting 37 percent and Villar 35 percent. The two were virtually tied at first place since the survey had a ±2 margin of error. Bagumbayan candidate Sen. Richard Gordon also took a swipe at Villar, reminding the audience that the country’s political maturity would be measured by the votes cast in May. "Makikita niyo diyan kung pwede ang pacute-pacute sa mga tao o pwede pa rin yung mga advertising na sinasabing makahirap pero nakikita mo ang record, hindi makamahirap," Gordon said. (It will be reflected [in the vote] if playing cutesy or if advertising where a candidate is presented as pro-poor, even if his records say otherwise, will work.) When asked whether he would still run for president if he had Villar's wealth, Olongapo councilor JC Delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran party said, "I believe if you are to serve there should be a message that conveys principle and platform and not empty campaign messages that just says ako ang mahirap." All the taunts elicited loud cheers from the crowd, composed of students and supporters of the eight presidential candidates who showed up at the forum. Villar takes a dig at Noynoy But Villar maintained that he pays for his ads himself using funds he acquired through the businesses he himself set up. "Napakahalaga na tanungin din natin hindi lamang kung magkano nagagastos kundi sino ba ang nagbibigay sa kanila dahil baka ito ang hinahalal nating pangulo, hindi yung nakaharap dito (It's important to ask not just how much was spent, but who spent for the ads because those people might be the ones we are electing to the presidency, and not the one before you)," he added. He also took a dig at his closest rival, saying "Sa akin, hindi naman ako artista, wala naman akong nanay na presidente, wala akong kapatid na artista. Kelangan din naman na yung mga mahihirap ang pinagsimulan na kagaya ko ay bigyan ng pagkakataon ng ma-lebel naman ang playing field. (I am not an actor, I don't have a mother who was president, I don't have a celebrity sister. People who rose from poverty like me should be given the chance to level the playing field). His comment also drew cheers from the audience. Aquino is the only son of the late former President Corazon Aquino. Popular celebrity Kris Aquino, his youngest sister, is said to be responsible for getting the support of major celebrities such as Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, and Ogie Alcasid for his presidential campaign. Unlike the other contenders, Aquino did not tease Villar when asked if the latter's material success as depicted in his television ads was realistic. Instead, Aquino said access to social services such as education is the key to success. "Kelangan po oportunidad para sa lahat at marami pong dapat gawin (There should be opportunities for everyone, and there is still much to be done)." Lies and big budgets "If you can see my ads they have no jingle. My ads are merely a reflection of my political platform and principles," Madrigal said. When reminded that she herself used celebrity endorsement--that of popular actress Judy Ann Santos--in 2004 to propel herself to the Senate, Madrigal said she has "seen the folly of [her] ways." "I would not repeat it because I do not believe in a repeat of mistakes and I do not believe that we should perpetuate lies that are perpetuated by big budgets," said the senator. Asked if there was anything good she has to say about Villar, Madrigal quipped, "Meron naman ... maganda ang pagtina nung buhok niya." (There is ... I like the way his hair is dyed) This was the second time Madrigal used Villar's physical appearance to answer a question on whether she found anything good in him. In a recent interview, the lady senator also said she likes Villar's alleged botox injections. Madrigal initiated the investigation in the Senate about the controversial C-5 road extension project that allegedly benefited the real estate properties of Villar. The presidential contenders' apparent digs at each other were the ones that got the strongest reactions from the crowd. Alexandra Francisco, a third-year Journalism student who was among the spectators, said the focus on personality attacks strayed away from issues. "It should be a presidential debate about issues. Unfortunately, that's what people will notice, Villar being hobbled by everyone," she told GMANews.TV after the debate. Estrada a no-show Other presidential contenders who took part in the debate were former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Senator Richard Gordon, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord movement, and environmentalist Nicky Perlas. Only former president Joseph Estrada was absent. Estrada's spokesperson, Margaux Salcedo, said Estrada was not able to attend the forum because Estrada had other commitments. "Various delegations from all over the country have sought an audience with former President Josepsh Estrada today at the PMP headquarters, including delegations from as far as Lanao del Sur and other parts of Mindanao, which President Estrada had to prioritize, for which reason former President Estrada was not able to attend the forum of the [PDI]," she said in a statement. Supporters of the candidates flocked to the event clad in their presidential bets' campaign colors: Villar supporters were in orange and Teodoro campaigners came in green. Other groups also carried signs bearing the names of their presidential bets. 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. - YA, GMANews.TV