Meralco ad may backfire on Juday, manager fears

[Monseratto]

Nagpagamit daw si Juday para lokohin...este pa-educate yung taong bayan.

MANILA, Philippines - The manager of actress Judy Ann Santos on Wednesday said that the commercial that featured the actress explaining system loss in electricity was part of a demolition job against her.

Alfie Lorenzo told dzBB’s Mike Enriquez that he was not informed about the commercial deal, as it was presented to the actress’ camp at the last minute, before she flew for Europe.

"Hindi ko alam iyan. Hindi ako kinausap. Kasi paalis na sila Juday noon nung nag-text na lang yung secretary niyang si Jane. Sabi niya, may humabol pong komersyal. Pabaon daw sa Europe (I don’t know about that. I was not informed. Judy Anne’s secretary sent me a text message saying that she was asked to do one last commercial before she leaves for Europe)," Lorenzo said.

He said that that Judy Ann’s acceptance of the deal would actually work against her, saying the commercial was really meant to bring down her image.

"I think its part of the demolition job. I think bahagi iyan ng demolition job against Judy Ann Santos," he said.

Lorenzo explained that the creators of the commercial, which is being aired over the television and radio, signed Judy Ann for the advisory because they believe that she could "soften the anger of the people."

In the commercial that started airing last week, the celebrated actress is seen and heard explaining that just like any other power distributor in the Visayas and Mindanao, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) also incurs system loss.

The Meralco, which powers the entire Metro Manila and parts of the Mega Manila, is currently under public scrutiny for passing on system loss to its customers.

In the long run, however, Lorenzo said Judy Ann’s career would be put on the line if ever the anger of complaining Meralco customers would instead be channeled to the actress.

"Iyong galit ng mga tao sa Meralco, baka naman sa kaniya mapunta at magtagumpay na sila na mapabagsak si Judy Ann, so may pag-asa na silang mapasikat ang ibang artista nila," he explained.

Asked if he would allow Judy Ann to comment on the matter when she comes back to the Philippines in the last week of June, Lorenzo said, "Of course. Ibigay naman natin ang side niya (Let's give her a chance to air her side)."

Lorenzo alleged that it was not the first time people have recently tried to smear the actress’s image, saying the Meralco advertisement was part of a bigger demolition job against her ward.

Lorenzo said he has yet to get in touch with Judy Ann, adding he has been getting a hard time following her to Europe because "people have been trying to block my VISA."

He also admitted that even though it was Judy Ann Santos who was already explaining the process of system loss, he still could not grasp the concept.

"Si Juday na nga ang nagpapaliwanag, eh hindi ko pa rin maintindihan (I still can’t comprehend system loss even if Juday had already explained it)," he chuckled. - GMANews.TV

[Monseratto]

Kaya lalayasin na ni Juday yung Lopez Network... What a big catch indeed for the Kapuso Network.

Judy Ann’s manager starts talks with GMA-7--source

MANILA, Philippines--Judy Ann Santos’ manager, Alfie Lorenzo, is now negotiating with GMA-7 for a possible transfer after the actress’ ABS-CBN contract expires, a source told INQUIRER.net.

Lorenzo was furious at her talent’s current network, ABS-CBN, and started talks with rival GMA-7 after the Lopez network itself broke a news story about consumer groups holding “anti-Judai” rallies that condemned the actress for appearing in a TV commercial defending the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the source said.

ABS-CBN and Meralco are sister companies.

Judy Ann’s appearance in the ads was criticized as a desperate move by the Lopezes to infuse celebrity power in taking its case to the public. Meralco had been hit over pass-on charges to consumers, including the controversial system loss fees Judy Ann was metaphorically defending in the 30-second spots.

Lorenzo was said to have been disappointed that ABS-CBN was even at the forefront in reporting the protest actions against Judy Ann when its owners were the ones behind the Meralco TV campaign.

Lorenzo and ABS-CBN representatives were not available for comment as of this posting.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/...-GMA-7--source

[Monseratto]

Dati pa daw downhill ang relationship with the Lopez Network with his/her ward. I guess the Lopezes have their work cut out in keeping/destroying her...

Judy Ann to make ‘big announcement’ in July--manager

MANILA, Philippines--Talent manager and entertainment columnist Alfie Lorenzo hinted at a “big announcement” of ward Judy Ann Santos next month in obvious reference to a possible transfer from ABS-CBN to GMA-7.

In his column Tuesday for the tabloid Abante Tonite, Alfie said Judy Ann’s announcement will be up to “Papa Gabby” or Gabby Lopez, ABS-CBN chairman and chief operating officer.

Alfie has been at odds for the past few weeks with top executives of ABS-CBN, particularly Johnny Manahan, head of the network’s talent arm Star Magic. He alleged that the network was using Judy Ann to bolster the comeback of another ABS-CBN talent, Claudine Barretto. The network and Claudine both denied the charges.

An ABS-CBN statement described Lorenzo as a “bitter old man posing as a showbiz journalist” for insinuating that the network wanted to make noise from a controversial shampoo commercial in which both actresses appeared in. Reports of friction between Judy Ann and Claudine during the commercial shoot circulated but were denied by both camps.

Also in his column, Lorenzo charged that ABS-CBN had been remiss in both the creative and production aspects of Judy Ann’s next primetime soap, which he titles “Nurserye.” Tapings for the show had been stalled due to script changes, he said. Because of this, Judy Ann instead decided to go on a European vacation with boyfriend Ryan Agoncillo and hoped that the creative team would come up with a final script when she gets back. Judy Ann hopes that she need not wait on set for a script revision, he said.

He also alleged that Judy Ann’s co-stars in “Nurserye” had been left hanging, including leading man Derek Ramsay, and without projects to work on.

http://services.inquirer.net/print/p...0080603-140443

[shadow]

Gago yan si Alfie Lorenzo, me thinks that nagpapalaki lang ng presyo yan kasi from what I understand mag expire na ang contract ni Juday sa Ch 2... sino ba pa ba ang naniniwala sa kanya together with Lolit Solis, Annabelle Rama, Cristy Fermin, Jobert Sucaldito...sila-sila na lang ang mag lokohan...

why would Mike Enriquez's show which btw belongs to news and current affair division would even give this old pathetic manager airtime...?

[shadow]

first thing first bakit tinanggap ni Juday yun ad? maniwala akong hinde alam ni Alfie yan, baka malaki ang talent fee tapos kung kailan bayad na ang nagawa na saka gumagawa ng issue itong si Alfie para mapagusapan si Juday at tumaas nanaman ang market value

[nurse_corrupted]

Juday is from ABS and ABS is owned by the Lopezes. Wag na tayong magtaka kung bakit nagamit si Juday. May magagawa ba siya e employer niya ang may-ari ng Meralco.

It wouldn't come as a surprise also if all talents of ABS-CBN will do a commercial similar to this one. Or if ANC or ABS news will come to the defense of the Lopezes.

Grabe na ka desperate ang Lopezes, and to think that we are overcharged and we are paying for the electricity that we are not getting as explained by transmission loss. Wow.

Nakakamangha lang ang kakayahan ni Juday na maintindihan lahat ito. Well, actress can imitate anybody that's why they are actress. They can even imitate those who are knowledgeable in a certain field.

Taas na nga ng gasolina, eto pang kuryente na binabayaran ko mataas din. E kung susumahin, yung mga binayad ko para sa kuryente na di ko naman nagamit e siguro eksakto lang sa binayad ko kung may Plasma TV ako. Ano ba yan meralco?

[Monseratto]

Slowly but surely, everyone want to get on the "anti-Judai" band wagon...wawa

Palace brushes off Judy Ann Santos’ system loss defense

MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang on Wednesday brushed off a television advertisement in which actress Judy Ann Santos explains that passing on the systems loss of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to its consumers is legal, saying the bottomline remains lower power rates.

But in the House, Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr., an administration ally, said Santos may have violated the Consumer Act by what he described as her “irresponsible statement.”

Nevertheless, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita indirectly acknowledged Santos’ popularity, cautioning the public: "Uulitin ko, taumbayan ang maghuhusga. Tayo ba ay maapektuhan ng nagsasalita in behalf or Meralco dahil magandang dalaga o lalaki ang nagsasabi, o iyong katotohanan pa rin pagdating ng resibo? Bumaba ba o tumaas ang electricity? Iyon ang mahalaga [Let me repeat, the people will judge. Shall we be swayed by the one who speaks on behalf of Meralco because the speaker is beautiful or handsome, or by the truth that arrives with the bill? Is electricity cheaper or more expensive? That is the important thing]."

The government, through the Department of Trade and Industry, has questioned before the Energy Regulatory Commission Meralco’s contention that passing on the system loss is legal.

Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Winston Garcia is also waging a campaign to takeover Meralco, saying it is to bring down power rates.

Ermita said he finds nothing wrong with Meralco's using Santos to defend its position since the firm has the money to spend.

However, he said this might indicate Meralco realizes it is fighting an uphill battle.

"Pag gumamit ng high-level personality, sigurado na alam nila na malaki ang hinaharap nila kaya kailangan na gamitan ng magandang arsenal sa public information [Once they start using a high-level personality, surely they realize the immensity of what they face therefore they need to use a good public information arsenal]," Ermita said.

Asked if the government would also use an endorser to project its position, he replied: "Let's see. I'm not involved in that. Tingnan natin kung karapat-dapat tapatan [Let’s see if we need to go tit-for-tat], we can use everybody."

In the House, Abante, taking the floor, said Article 110 of the Consumers Act might be applied to Santos’ likening the systems loss to ice melting in transit from one store to another.

Article 110 states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to disseminate or to cause the dissemination of any false, deceptive or misleading advertisement by Philippine mail or in commence by print, radio, television, outdoor advertisement or other medium for the purpose of inducing or which is likely to induce directly or indirectly the purchase of consumer products or services.”

“Nauunawaan po kaya ni Judy Ann ang kanyang sinabi? Kitang kita po na kanyang kinampihan ang Meralco laban sa mga consumers na siguro karamihan ay kanyang mga fans din, mga kaibigan [Does Judy Ann understand what she said? I myself saw her defend Meralco against the consumers, most of whom probably are also her fans, her friends],” Abante said in his personal and collective privilege speech.

“Judy Ann may not realize the consequence of her action. I am concerned that Judy Ann was blindly convinced [to take on] her role for reasons only known to her and Meralco,” he said.

Even if the systems loss includes losses to pilferage, Abante said Santos’ advertisement remained deceptive and misleading because melting ice is an act of nature while theft or pilferage is a “voluntary, intentional and criminal act.”

“Therefore, one could not, as it should not be, compared with the other,” the Manila solon said

“I am afraid that Article 110 of the Consumers Act may be applied to the irresponsible statement of Judy Ann Santos. Her statement is clearly against public interest,” Abante said.

Abante urged his colleagues to not only look into the real components of the systems loss but to also consider amending or even repealing the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

If needed, Abante said, the House should also condemn Meralco and Santos for the “deceitful, misleading and untruthful advertisement.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...m-loss-defense

[chua_riwap]

Nagamit si Juday?

Di ba alam ni Judy Ann kung ano yung commercial? Kalokohan.

Malaki yung bayad, kaya di na inisip ni Juday yan!

[niky]

*yawn*... what? Where? Who?

It's a commercial, guys... seriously. And whatever someone gets paid to say in a commercial, they'll say. Maybe she was unwise to take the contract, but she can't be held accountable... and accountable for... what? She's explaining system loss... not selling freaking snake oil!

The issue here is not whether it is just or unjust to charge system loss to the consumers... as one person who pays huge electric bills (both as a homeowner and business owner) every month, I think "system loss" charging sucks balls... but if a company wants to inform the public, it's their issue.

So... how's this any more immoral or evil than various personalities appearing in commercials supporting government programs or offices who've come under fire for scandals?

Personally, I don't like the charges, but what's the alternative? The government buying out the utility? If there's one thing history has taught us... government =/= good business. Period. The government almost ran Meralco into the ground in the years when it was sequestered in the Marcos era. A situation that led to the power crisis that came to a head during Ramos's term. Are we to endure another decade or two of mismanagement? High electricity rates suck, but the alternative, no electricity, sucks even more.

If the government isn't satisfied with Meralco, look for another private concern to take over the business. But otherwise, stay the f*** out.

[v6dreamer]

Juday or no jundai and the price is right.....who cant refuse! Color of Money is a perfect figure.

[ringostarr]

eh di gamitin ng Malacanang yun asawa niya parang quits. ambobo naman manager eto alfie. pagamit nya yun kasi sobrang nakokornihan na ako sa nilalangam na image ng dalawa na yan sa TV. mas sisikat sila ngaun kung mag-aaway sila sa National TV dahil sa stand nila sa kuryente

so back to square one ulit ang battle Malacanang vs. Meralco, pero kumita yun mag-asawa saka yan alfie

[Monseratto]

Alam mo naman mga tao, gusto lang mapapansin. Good or bad publicity is still publicity...

Ermita to Meralco: No need for Juday, just explain charges

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday said that the use of celebrities by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to explain its position was an admission that it has faced with a huge problem regarding the firm's perceived unnecessary charges.

This came from Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, apparently referring to the Meralco ad of actress Judy Ann Santos who explains the firm's systems loss charges.

Ermita said that despite the hiring of famous personalities to explain their side and possibly gain the public sympathy, what is important is for the firm is to convince the public that the current charges are appropriate and right.

Chief presidential legal counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol said the government should not stoop down to the level of Meralco, confident that the hiring of known personalities would not put an end to calls to bring own the cost of power.

Apostol said it might even have a backlash on the personalities that would be hired by Meralco.

He added that the Energy Regulatory Board should determine where the talent fees of the celebrities hired by Meralco are sourced from, or if it is even passed on to the consumers.

Actress Judy Ann Santos earlier came out in a television ad explaining the need for Meralco to collect "system loss" charges from consumers. System loss is that portion of electricity which is pilfered or is lost during transmission.

Meralco, however, during the first Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC) session, admitted the inclusion of the 72 million kilowatt-hours of power that they consume in the "system loss" charge imposed on consumers. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/99220/Er...xplain-charges

[CVT]

The Lopezes are banking on her popularity to hopefully reverse the public opinion.
I think they remembered Jamby M who has not won in her previous candidacy, but won mainly because she endorsed her?

Anyway, the first time I saw the ad, I was amused, because she does not have any idea what she's talking about.... Not even a far-expert on the issue....

(Hindi pa ba nagkasya ang MERALCO sa mga one-page ads nila sa dyaryo everyday?)...

6110:pepsi:

[CtrlAltDel]

... I think "system loss" charging sucks balls... but if a company wants to inform the public, it's their issue.

correct.

i think gsis, nasecore, vacc and other cause-oriented groups opposed to the lopezes are rattled by the possibility that juday could successfully explain to many common folk with gaps in information and knowledge that charging systems loss is well within the utility's prerogative and such practice is legal! For if this is illegal, meralco would have been dragged to court already. They do not like this at all. if there will be anyone hating juday and wishing her ill-will it wont be the fans.. it will be these bellicose groups. despite the many accusations of garcia against the lopezes, he's still basically just a demagogue. he should have brought meralco to court already. what's he waiting for?

juday will be fine. i thought she handled the information ad very well.

[raine]

kalokohan yung hindi nila alam kung para saan gagamitin yung commercial siya na ng mismo ang nagsasalita mismo tungkol sa generated loss at pilit explain ito.

[niky]

correct.

i think gsis, nasecore, vacc and other cause-oriented groups opposed to the lopezes are rattled by the possibility that juday could successfully explain to many common folk with gaps in information and knowledge that charging systems loss is well within the utility's prerogative and such practice is legal! For if this is illegal, meralco would have been dragged to court already. They do not like this at all. if there will be anyone hating juday and wishing her ill-will it wont be the fans.. it will be these bellicose groups. despite the many accusations of garcia against the lopezes, he's still basically just a demagogue. he should have brought meralco to court already. what's he waiting for?

juday will be fine. i thought she handled the information ad very well.

And that's the whole thing.

Isipin niyo muna before judging Meralco...

Illegal ba ang system loss charge?

And the answer? No.

A business has the right to charge the consumer for services rendered. If the business incurs extra costs in production, they have to account for that on the bottom-line. If you (GSIS) want them to make a sacrifice and forego profit completely to ensure low prices for the consumers, you don't understand business at all.

Simply... if you don't ensure the profitability of a business, you leave it no room to grow and improve. Without that hedge fund to improve services, where does that get you? (remember the brownouts? Hmmm?)

The market control for this in a free market is competition. If there are enough suppliers, you can simply switch and find the lowest bidder. Unfortunately, electric provision is a monopoly. So enforce external price controls... but realistic ones.

Hell... price controls on tuition fees before were ridiculous. If a school wants to increase tuition... let them! If they charge too much for students to afford, students will go elsewhere! There are thousands of colleges and universities here! But for a monopoly, it may be called for.

But the government is not pushing for price controls. Which means they don't really give a rat's ass about how much electricity costs, and recognize that Meralco can't charge much lower than it charges now, since Meralco's books are open to them through the shares they own, anyway. Instead, they're gambling with a large portion of the people's money to try to take control of Meralco. In light of this, most people with an ounce of brains recognize this for what it is... a political freaking vendetta.

The government could simply enact a law capping power prices. Instead, PGMA is going straight for the Lopez's throats.

But it won't work. Why? The other shareholders may recognize the danger in letting a government agency run Meralco. Whatever noise the GSIS makes about the shareholder's meeting being a "rah-rah" session... truth is, most shareholders will be too smart to support a GSIS-led takeover.

Common sense lang yun. Kung yung rice, puwedeng i-price cap... kung toll, puwede rin... electricity? Piece of cake. But they won't do it. Why? Because that's not what this is about. It's about making the Lopez clan look bad. It's all a big game of tit-for-tat between them and PGMA.

That's not to say I'm pro-Lopez... I don't like watching ABS-CBN, due to the unflinching bias of their reporting and the absolute corn-ballness of their shows (though my family loves watching their game shows... ), but you've got to call them like you see them.

[Lucius]

So what kung lilipat naman si Juday? Para namang big deal. Kasing lapad kasi ng mukha nya yung metro ng meralco

[ringostarr]

hahaha kasing lapad ng metro

[niky]

Jesus Christ.

So... it's illegal now for Meralco to make ads as a private company, when the PAGCOR, GSIS and local government pour millions of public funds into TV and print advertising? Link on one GSIS issue: http://business.inquirer.net/money/c...IS-vs-teachers

Damn hypocrites. Find something else to do.

[Bogeyman]

But, but it's fashionable to bash Meralco these days.

If you're not anti-Meralco (or anti-Lopez for that matter), wala ka sa uso.

:bwahaha: