Gordon: Nothing wrong with politicians declaring 2010 plans

MANILA, Philippines – Several lawmakers have admitted that some public officials are already preparing for the 2010 elections by appearing in television commercials.

Sen. Richard Gordon said he saw nothing wrong with appearing in TV commercials at this time in an effort to make known their political intent, even though most people perceive this to be premature politicking.

He said it is up to the people to scrutinize these political wannabes when the 2010 elections come.

Senators Panfilo Lacson, Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda agreed with Gordon and said the public must in fact be wary about government officials appearing in “info-mercials” rather than endorsing products, since public funds are being used for their publicity.

“We are not discounting (the possibility) that there are those whose careers as public officials may benefit from TV advertisements sans the benefits of actual accomplishments,” Gordon said.

Accepting endorsements, according to Gordon, would depend on advocacy and one’s belief in the product.

“If you’re running for President and you use the (commercial) for your own self, then that all depends on you. But if you really want to help the poor then that’s okay. I think it is obvious who are politicking, right?” Gordon said over radio dwIZ.

Gordon noted that some well-known personalities are now appearing in TV commercials.

“But I am not complaining because I want the people to know who the candidates are this early so they can choose wisely – even (if elections) are still far away – who are qualified for certain positions. And if the (officials) do not have delicadeza, they will also know what to do,” he said.

Gordon appears in a commercial endorsing a popular bath soap.

Some of his colleagues are also appearing in ads either as product endorsers or pushing an advocacy.

Gordon maintained senators endorsing products or services are not violating any election laws.

As a lawyer, Gordon argued there is no need for strict regulation since this is also the practice in the United States.

Gordon though welcomed Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s move to clarify with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) if these TV commercial appearances, billboards and print ads constitute premature campaigning.

In his case, Gordon said he served as model for the bath soap because he personally trusts the brand.

Gordon said he was the one who brought the product to the country when he served as a brand manager for the company.

Gordon said his seven-figure talent fee for endorsing the product went to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), of which he is chairman.

Gordon added the commercial promoted the need for people to practice hygiene and make it a habit to wash their hands to avoid contracting various diseases.

Other senators also maintained there was nothing wrong with endorsing products. They said Comelec could not cite them for premature campaigning since they have not filed their certificates of candidacy.

Escudero, for his part, admitted that he was personally using the product he was endorsing.

He argued that officials should not be deprived of the chance to earn extra income legitimately as product endorsers, since, Escudero argued, this would help them keep their hands off government funds.

Legarda, Senators Manuel Roxas II and Pia Cayetano also claimed they did not benefit from their commercials financially because their talent fees went to charity.

They noted there should be no issue as long as there was no conflict of interest in their endorsements. – With Edith Regalado, Edu Punay