Bets gang up on Villar
over big ad spend

The sole female presidential candidate, who had outrightly attacked Villar’s wealth and heavy spending on advertisements, responded with a resounding, “I agree—completely.”

According to Madrigal, she does not agree with the use of jingles, children, and actors being paid for P30 million pesos and sees these tactics as an “insult into the Filipino’s intelligence.”

“People who have spent P2 billion in ads who think they can buy Malacañang have no right [to get elected],” she said. Her remarks got a lively response from the audience.

Madrigal further stressed that her future advertisements will only reflect her political principles and platforms. A panelist, however, immediately pointed out that Madrigal used popular actress Judy Ann Santos for her political ads in her successful senatorial bid in 2004.

“Yes. But now, I have seen the folly of my ways,” she said, driving the crowd to a frenzy. “And I will not repeat it because I do not believe we should perpetuate lives that are perpetuated by big budgets.”

Villar, the riches among the 9 presidential candidates, has been outspending his rivals in political ads by a ratio of around 8 to 1. He spent over P500 million from October to December 2009 alone landing him in 14th place in the country’s top 20 advertisers. Some observers have estimated Villar has already spent over P1 billion in political ads alone.

When Madrigal was asked whether there she had anything good to say about Villar, she said: “Maganda ang pagkaka-tina ng buhok niya.”


The questions did not end there. The panel asked Ang Kapatiran’s JC Delos Reyes if he would still run for president even if the Olongapo councilor had the wealth of Villar.

“If the situation of this country is like this, yes, I still would (run),” he said.

He clarified, though, that his campaign style will be different and would reflect his beliefs and his priorities. The councilor also added that he will be careful in the message that he wanted to convey because portraying the wrong message could destroy the “values of the youth.”

“I believe there should be a message that conveys your platforms and not empty messages that just says ‘Ako ang mahirap’ or ‘Ganito ako’—It destroys the values of the youth and it destroys idealism,” he added.

Villar’s ads have emphasized his humble roots in Tondo, Manila and his pro-poor programs.


Similarly, Senator Richard Gordon challenged candidates who said they are for the poor but who are not pro-poor in terms of accomplishments.

The comment came when he was asked for his stand on the current disqualification case against former President Joseph Estrada.

“Nasa inyo yan [It’s up to you],” Gordon stated, adding that voting for the deposed ex-president will reflect the political maturity of the electorate.

Gordon added that the poor have always been exploited by politicians especially during election season. The key, he said, is to vote for a candidate who values transparency and accountability.

“[Some are] Using advertisements na makamahirap, but sa records hindi naman mahirap. They have to show it kung [para sa] mahirap talaga [sila],” he said.


Villar was unfazed by the comments from his fellow candidates.

“I use my own money for campaigning,” he said, reiterating that unlike Senator Benigno Aquino III, he does not have an influential sister in show business who can help him win.

Another question for the former Senate president caught the crowd’s attention: “Which would you rather have: power or wealth?”

Villar indirectly answered that a child who comes from a poor family automatically dreams of being wealthy when he or she grows up. However, he said there should be a higher dream after achieving wealth.

Villar said he eventually realized the need to help the poor, but for him to be able to do this, he needs power.

“Minsan ang pangarap mo ay nakakarating sa pinakamataas, at yun ay makatulong sa kapwa. At minsan, nangangailangan ng power para magawa mo yang pangarap na yan na maiahon ang iyong kababayan sa kahirapan,” Villar said.

He also added, “Yumaman ako sa malinis na paraan (I became rich through honest means).”

Villar’s strongest rival in the surveys, Aquino, on the other hand, refused to say whether his “closest rival” presents a “realistic goal or an impossible dream” in his advertisements.

“Meron pong naka-achieve na nyan. Sa atin pong mga katunggali, may nagtatanong kung tama ba yung mensahe na yun,” Aquino said. In his case, Aquino said he would rather focus on improving the country’s education system. (abs-cbn)