Pag-Ibig spent P500M on De Castro housing ads

[explorer]

from: www.inquirer.net

Pag-Ibig spent P500M on De Castro housing ads

Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net
August 18, 2009

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) The Pag-Ibig Fund spent almost P500 million since 2007 in infomercials featuring Vice President Noli de Castro, a lawyer seeking a stop to public funds use in advertisements told the Manila City Regional Trial Court.

“They are telling us that what was spent is not public funds,” said lawyer Ernesto Francisco during Tuesday’s hearing. “But that is the contribution of members of Pag-Ibig.”

De Castro is the chairman of the state housing agency Home Development Fund or Pag Ibig Fund.

Margie Jorillo, Pag-Ibig vice president for public relations, said the agency has a total budget of P300 million for infomercials.

But citing records, Francisco said Pag-Ibig had spent close to P500 million in agency ads: P100 million in 2007, P100-million in 2008, and P300-million in 2009.

The Manila court set another hearing on August 28 to determine if an injunction against infomercials needs to be issued.

Francisco, who is questioning the alleged use of public funds by government officials eyeing elective posts in 2010, said he intends to present more evidence and witnesses.

Named respondents in his petition for injunction, mandamus and temporary restraining order are Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita for President Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., Agrarian Reform Secretary Pangandaman, TESDA Director General Augusto Syjuco and Pagcor chairman Efraim Genuino.

He accused these officials of engaging in an intensive tri-media political campaign to boost their image.

[1D4LV]

members money...

[KERSMcRae]

members money...

exactly but it's NOT a PUBLIC fund.
I have relatives, cousins and neighbors that dont have a single peso contribution nor they're registered as members. Thus, they dont have the privilege (or right) to claim it's also their money.

If the informercials started since 2007, then the intention is not the same as the infomercial-campaigns of politicians that started only this year (2009). Im sure that the Fund has its own earnings from borrowers and still manages to give more savings through discounts to members who pay their loans on time.

I'd rather like to see Kabayan to stay and head the Fund rather than the likes of Neri (SSS), Reyes (DOE) and Atienza (DENR).