Miriam to disclose reasons for timing of infomercials

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said yesterday she would reveal on Monday the reasons why infomercials came to the airwaves suddenly ahead of the 2010 elections.

“I will deliver (a) speech and say… why is it that these so-called infomercials of these departments are released to the television only one year before election day? Why was it not released when that particular department had first assumed office? Or why was it not consistently released over time? Why now?” Santiago said.

Santiago maintained her purpose against early infomercials by Cabinet officials who are perceived to be running in the next elections “is to make sure that public funds are devoted to public purposes.”

Santiago went on to trash Executive Secretary Eduardo  Ermita for defending Cabinet members over their infomercials.

“We are not questioning whether they should publicize their department. What we are questioning in the Senate is why they are publicizing themselves,” Santiago said.

Santiago cited a constitutional provision that the use of any discretionary fund, also as defined by the Supreme Court, should be for public purpose. “It is to promote the national interest or the national welfare,” she pointed out.

Santiago said the department head should not be so selfish as to take upon himself the privilege of signifying or embodying all the admirable traits that he wanted his subordinates and employees to impress before the public.

Santiago reiterated the Aug. 31 deadline for all government agencies concerned to pull out their advertisements or face charges.

Santiago said increasing airtime of infomercials fueled public suspicions that all of them are geared for the 2010 elections.

“You cannot escape that presumption in the public mind. And I was shocked to discover – as I’m sure my colleagues in the Senate will be shocked to know – that there is such a thing as advertising campaign expense account in the budget,” Santiago added.

The other day, a Manila court had issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to stop the airing of his infomercials.

The TRO stemmed from the petition filed by lawyer Ernesto Francisco seeking to stop the airing of infomercials of government officials planning to run in the 2010 general elections.

Francisco filed a petition asking the Manila Regional Trial Court to order the government to stop using public funds to finance advertisements of government officials that are only perceived to be promoting themselves ahead of the elections next year.

Francisco also asked the court to compel the Cabinet members who aired the infomercials to make full and complete disclosure of the money spent for their paid advertisements.