Brandy maker files graft charges vs AdBoard execs

Liquor manufacturer Destileria Limtuaco filed graft charges yesterday against the chairman of a government sequestered network and three other advertising executives before the Ombudsman for attempting to block its Quince Años ads.

Destileria Limtuaco executive vice president Olivia Limpe-AW named as main respondent in her complaint RPN-9 executive Cerge Remonde. Named co-respondents were Alvin Manacsa, Oscar Valenzuela and Jose Sy of the Advertising Board of the Philippines.

She said the respondents allegedly blocked the airing of a new TV ad for Napoleon Brandy.

Apart from his RPN-9 post, Remonde is also chairman of the AdBoard.

These officials, according to her, "defied" the clearance issued by the Bureau of Food and Drugs for the airing of the commercial, and have at the same time "usurped and continues to usurp" the functions of the Department of Trade and Industry, which have the "authority to regulate advertisement of Destileria products."

"AdBoard is a private corporation. Why should it be granted governmental regulatory functions? This exercise of police power could only be delegated by Congress to another agency and never to a private corporation," the firm’s lawyer, Bonifacio Alentajan, said. He said a clearance from AdBoard is no longer necessary.

"Remonde and the AdBoard refused to allow the airing of our new TV ads because of the absence of a supposedly required clearance from a private entity which does not have legal regulatory powers," he explained, which only granted AdBoard "unwarranted power and benefits and showed manifest partiality, evident bad faith."

Apart from Remonde and his colleagues, among the government officials also charged by Destileria in the Ombudsman were party-list Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela, and its secretary general Cristina Palabay. On the other hand, Maza is no longer a member of Congress following her resignation in Oct. 2003.

Maza mobilized protest rallies in front of Destileria Limtuaco offices due to the Quince Años’ offensive radio, TV and newspaper ads to both women and children. The advertisements, she said, contained "double meaning" which aims to project that guys who have "tasted" girls aged 15 and below are "more admirable."

A multi-million peso damage suit has also been lodged by the brandy maker before the Makati Regional Trial Court against AdBoard, where it also sought its "dissolution."

A separate P26.3-million case was also filed against now Senator-elect Alfredo Lim, who destroyed Napoleon Quince Años ads in Parañaque during a campaign period.