Admin bets get celebrity endorsements for free
-A A +AFriday, February 15, 2013
MANILA -- Celebrity endorsers of the administration-backed Team PNoy offer their services to the senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party-led coalition for free.
This was revealed by Team PNoy candidate Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV at the sidelines of the slate's provincial sortie in Carmona, Cavite.
"All of the celebrities who will be helping us out, walang bayad" Aquino told reporters.
Celebrity couples Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, and Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres were present in the kick-off rally of the Team PNoy slate in Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila, on February 12. Singers Dingdong Avanzado and Noel Cabangon also performed during the event.
During the 2010 presidential elections, President Aquino had the most number of celebrity endorsers led by his sister, Kris Aquino.
Bam Aquino, meanwhile, said that his camp is still weighing its options on television advertisements, including the endorsement of Kris.
"We're still studying what's the effective ad to boost my candidacy," Aquino said.
Aurora Representative Sonny Angara, also a Team PNoy candidate, said that instead of paying his celebrity endorsers, he will support their advocacies.
For one, Angara said he will support the advocacies of actor Coco Martin, which is to provide free educational materials to the less fortunate.
ABS-CBN talents Sarah Geronimo and Julia Montes are also helping out Angara in his bid for the Senate. Coco, Sarah, and Montes have appeared in Angara's television ads.
Team PNoy bet Risa Hontiveros said that while "showbiz endorsements cannot hurt," she has no budget to pay celebrities.
Former Senator Jamby Madrigal, meanwhile, is content with the magic of President Aquino's endorsement.
"Ang magic ng Team PNoy ay talagang mas malakas pa sa Cory Magic," she said.
Madrigal tapped actress Judy Anne Santos when she ran for senator in 2004. Santos' endorsement propelled Madrigal to the fourth spot in the Magic 12.
Madgrigal run for president during the 2010 elections but lost to President Aquino. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)
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