Palace to take up infomercials row in Cabinet meet
An administration senator’s tirades over infomercials of some Cabinet members must have struck a chord in Malacañang: a Palace official said that Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting might discuss the matter.
But Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III did not give any hints on whether changes will be made on the infomercials, especially of those members eyeing elective posts in 2010 - much less on whether these infomercials will be pulled out.
"After the statement of Sen. [Miriam Defensor] Santiago yesterday [Monday], we may discuss the matter in passing in our Cabinet meeting this [Tuesday] morning," Bello said in an interview on dzXL radio.
On Monday, Santiago delivered a colorful privilege speech scoring the infomercials, saying Cabinet officials spent millions in taxpayers’ money to advertise themselves.
She likened those officials to "thick-skinned rhinoceros," and urged Press Secretary Cerge Remonde to stop infomercials featuring government officials.
"We have been invaded by a herd of rhinoceros that are not only thick-skinned but also dim-witted," Santiago said in her privilege speech.
Financial data provided by the Commission on Audit showed that among the top spenders on infomercials were Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) chairman Augusto Syjuco with P28.3 million; Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, P23.4 million; Vice President Manuel “Noli" de Castro Jr., P18.1 million; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Ephraim Genuino, P14.1 million; and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, P13.2 million. [See story: Cabinet execs spent P100M for infomercials in 2009]
Santiago said she would request the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Elections and the Department of Justice to criminally prosecute Cabinet officials who would not pull out their infomercials.
But Bello said concerned department secretaries had already explained the "value, purpose and objectives" of the infomercials.
"In fairness to the department secretaries ipinaliwanag nila ang (they explained the) value, purpose and objectives of the infomercials," he said.
Meanwhile, the TESDA came out with a two-page spread ad in the Manila Bulletin to mark its 15th anniversary.
The ads featured photos of Syjuco with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In a phone interview on GMANews' morning newscast Unang Hirit, Santiago reiterated that there is no law allowing the secretaries to use infomercials to let the public know of their department's activities.
"Walang batas na nagsasabing kailangan nila itong mga infomercials para malaman ng tao ang mga proyekto nila."
When Unang Hirit's anchor Arnold Clavio asked her how the people would know of the activities and projects of the government departments, the senator said: "Eh, 'di sabihin nila (department officials) sa mga taong nagpupunta sa kanilang mga tanggapan ang kanilang mga proyekto. Maglagay sila ng mga announcement sa kanilang mga office tungkol sa mga ginawaga nila. Walang batas na nagsasabing kailangan nila ang infomercials."
(They should tell the people doing transactions in their respective offices what activities and projects they have. There is no law saying the should inform the people through infomercials.) - GMANews.TV
But Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III did not give any hints on whether changes will be made on the infomercials, especially of those members eyeing elective posts in 2010 - much less on whether these infomercials will be pulled out.
"After the statement of Sen. [Miriam Defensor] Santiago yesterday [Monday], we may discuss the matter in passing in our Cabinet meeting this [Tuesday] morning," Bello said in an interview on dzXL radio.
On Monday, Santiago delivered a colorful privilege speech scoring the infomercials, saying Cabinet officials spent millions in taxpayers’ money to advertise themselves.
She likened those officials to "thick-skinned rhinoceros," and urged Press Secretary Cerge Remonde to stop infomercials featuring government officials.
"We have been invaded by a herd of rhinoceros that are not only thick-skinned but also dim-witted," Santiago said in her privilege speech.
Financial data provided by the Commission on Audit showed that among the top spenders on infomercials were Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) chairman Augusto Syjuco with P28.3 million; Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, P23.4 million; Vice President Manuel “Noli" de Castro Jr., P18.1 million; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Ephraim Genuino, P14.1 million; and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, P13.2 million. [See story: Cabinet execs spent P100M for infomercials in 2009]
Santiago said she would request the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Elections and the Department of Justice to criminally prosecute Cabinet officials who would not pull out their infomercials.
But Bello said concerned department secretaries had already explained the "value, purpose and objectives" of the infomercials.
"In fairness to the department secretaries ipinaliwanag nila ang (they explained the) value, purpose and objectives of the infomercials," he said.
Meanwhile, the TESDA came out with a two-page spread ad in the Manila Bulletin to mark its 15th anniversary.
The ads featured photos of Syjuco with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In a phone interview on GMANews' morning newscast Unang Hirit, Santiago reiterated that there is no law allowing the secretaries to use infomercials to let the public know of their department's activities.
"Walang batas na nagsasabing kailangan nila itong mga infomercials para malaman ng tao ang mga proyekto nila."
When Unang Hirit's anchor Arnold Clavio asked her how the people would know of the activities and projects of the government departments, the senator said: "Eh, 'di sabihin nila (department officials) sa mga taong nagpupunta sa kanilang mga tanggapan ang kanilang mga proyekto. Maglagay sila ng mga announcement sa kanilang mga office tungkol sa mga ginawaga nila. Walang batas na nagsasabing kailangan nila ang infomercials."
(They should tell the people doing transactions in their respective offices what activities and projects they have. There is no law saying the should inform the people through infomercials.) - GMANews.TV
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