Calling on the AdBoard of the Philippines.
A group of disgruntled Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are calling the attention of the Adboard on the recent television ad of presidentiable, Senator Manny Villar. These OFWs, whom I will not be mentioning at this point since they fear of reprisals from the Villar camp, are accusing Villar of “false advertising”. They say that Villar’s camp is not really helping OFWs with labor problems and instead, only do “referrals”. The plight of OFWs, they say, is being used for “political purposes” by Villar to advance his presidential ambitions.
One of the OFWs who sent me an email, say that her brother lies sick in an undisclosed hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He wants to go home.
She called up the “OFW Hotline” of Villar. Villar’s staff promised to help her and her sick brother. However, what she and her family got was a referral letter. The letter stated that the DFA and the POEA would better help her expatriate her sick brother and there’s nothing that Villar could do at this point.
She pleaded to the Villar staff to at least provide some airfare for her brother. The staff flatly rejected her and instead told her to “get the money yourself!”. She reminded the staff of Villar’s TV ad which says that Villar funded the airfare of OFWs in trouble. And you know what the staff told the unfortunate lady? ” Don’t believe what you see on television. Villar is not the kind who’ll help beggars.”
Poor lady. She called up Villar, believing that he’ll do what he promised to do in those TV ads, only to find out that Villar was “overpromising” in his ad, a violation of AdBoard rules.
What happened to that age-old dictum of “Truth in Advertising”? What happened to Villar’s slogan of ” don’t allow those who work for their families suffer”?
How unfortunate that these politicians, especially Villar, would lie and stare us straight in our faces, just to get our votes. How would someone believe what Villar is saying, when he can’t even honor the promises he said in that TV ad? Would you now believe what Villar is telling the public about his “innocence” in that Daang Hari controversy?
Popularity: 1% [?]
And what did the Villar office say about this when confronted with this information?
"Bukas ang The Buzz para kunin ang inyong panig."
Dont get me wrong though. Im not endorsing any candidate. In fact, I dont think I'll vote at all. I'll leave that decision to you guys. It's just that this is a rather serious accusation posted on a popular blog and fairness dictates that the Villar office's side is presented as well.
yes, Jeg, they should answer. They need to go to their records and lift this from there. By the way, this is NOT an opinion-piece. Rather, this is something of a public service. These people sent me an email which I wrote here. I expect Villar's minions to go here and dispute this.
One piece of advice though—they better be ready and check their staff before they start denying this simple complaint.
…and by the way,
the best way to counteract this is simply NOT deny it, BUT ACCEPT IT AND FIND SOLUTIONS. Diego is right—no one, not even Villar's camp, could accommodate ALL pleas for HELP. Yet, the problem can be solved through customer relations management. That, I think, is what caused this problem.
"They say that Villar’s camp is not really helping OFWs with labor problems and instead, only do “referrals”. "
imho, this is a case of giving your hand, and the other party wanting your entire arm!
A referral letter from a Senator is a big deal in the US, apparently it does not have any value in the PI. Understandably, for obvious reasons – a "letter" is not equivalent to "money". And "not having money" is equivalent to "not helping".
Asking for plane fare assistance from a Senator encourages the politics of patronage. It raises the question do we or do we not like the politics of patronage, because if we do, then we have no business complaining against corruption on the Philippines. <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/coldpassion/hammer.gif">
As if the padyak campaign of Mar Roxas is truthful — or Lacson's anti-corruption campaign is. "Honesty is the best politics" now, is it?
Mr. Patricio Mangubat, please do not use FV for whoever your PR clients are. Yes, reading your previous posts, I have more or less draw of picture of what you do for a living. I am close to branding you as a mercenary or a paid hack — for who? For everybody who's willing to pay you a buck to support anyone or character assassinate for that matter.
Attention: Nick and the blog admins. Please check on Mr. Mangubat and his going-ons.
What's this, Madonna? We know Pat was flip-flopping on Mar Roxas, and on this thread critiquing Villar for his advert. In as far as FV is a collective voice on politics as bannered, do you think Pat is violating something?
Can we not endorse here in FV our preferred candidate, or criticise, without being branded as a mercenary or a paid hack? Just for clarification.
It's an accusation, Bert, not a criticism. And as a piece of reporting and not an opinion piece, by one who was a former journalist, it forgets one of the basic tenets of reporting: get both sides of the story. I wouldnt go so far as to accuse Patricio of being a paid hack, but it certainly is sloppy reporting. No offense, Pat. Im a parokyano of this site and I want to make it better.
Hear, hear.
He is suspect as far as his posts are concerned, analyzed as a whole. Have you ever heard of bantay-salakay style? (his contradictory posts on Mar Roxas — yung una, kulang na lang halikan ang paa ni Mar Roxas and the recent, what do you call that?).
I have noted for example that Ding Gagelonia has written positively on Mar Roxas, but his posts were consistent in tone and Ding has disclosed his previous affliation with Mr. Roxas.
We can endorse, defend our chosen candidate or criticize others, but sooner of later, it would be obvious if endorsement is being done for mercenary purposes.
Madonna,
Again, check your mouth. Don't accuse somebody of being paid hack just because I wrote something disparaging against your preferred candidates. And, mind you, I am NOT character assassinating anybody. I am just writing my opinion.
Besides, I am not in the habit of writing articles for or against any perceived clients, as you so proffer. Stick to the issue. Don't stray.
I am not accusing you — but I am close to doing so, having made a judgement from your previous posts. In fact, this is the first time, I have ventured in making this close to an accusation to any blogger. And fyi, I am indeed pro-Villar and will likely vote for him.
Opinion? I thought this post is done reporting-style. Please check your definitions here. And you claim that these "OFWs emailed you"? And now you are calling for Senator Villar's staff to clarify? How's that for a journalistic process? Make an accusation first, let it fly and then bother about the accuracy of information later. Wouldn't it have been fair if you at least gotten the side of Senator Villar — then make an assessment, write your post, and your opinion would have some solid basis.
"Besides, I am not in the habit of writing articles for or against any perceived clients, as you so proffer. Stick to the issue".
Thanks for the clarification. Appreciate it. We always should stick to the issue, but your writing style has become an issue too lately.
I find this reportage suspect. Why not mention the OFW who complained – that piece of information in fact will push Villar to investigate the case. And why would someone representing Villar's advocacy be as rash as making a comment like "Don’t believe what you see on television…" when that person's job is precisely to accommodate and if possible, extend help? Besides, I don't think the Villar camp would be able to help every OFW in need. There are tons of them.
It's predictable that the author would magnify if not spin stories like this to serve his political leanings.
Hi Diego,
I explained that the reason why they don't want their names mentioned is simple—they fear reprisals. Let the traditional media expose them, not me.
That shows you that this entry IS NOT SOME PIECE OF ARTICLE that aims to character assassinate somebody. If I want to magnify this thing, FV is the place I would not place this article. And you're right….BETTER FOR VILLAR OR HIS STAFF TO INVESTIGATE THIS INSTEAD OF THEM OUTRIGHTLY TELLING EVERYBODY HERE THAT I HAVE POLITICAL LEANINGS OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
This entry is NOT about me. It's about this alleged issue which SOME OFWS have against Mr. Villar.
And you're absolutely right—THOSE WHO WANT TO DEFEND VILLAR HERE SHOULD TAKE IT FROM DIEGO–the defense is simple—" I don't think the Villar camp would be able to help every OFW in need. There are tons of them".
See? That's the defense, NOT attacking the writer who wrote the Truth.
Ilabas ang ebidensya. Magbigay ng pangalan!
Ang mga naabusong OFWs sa Middle East, di nakakuha maski pisong tulong sa gobyerno. Si Villar ang nilapitan.
Pinauwi niya! Yan ang totoo! Hindi siya gumamit ng budget niya sa Senado.
hi hellokadiyan,
that's the spirit! demand for evidence and if true, then, remedy it. I am not attacking Senator Villar. That's the least I would do. This entry aims to illuminate those in his staff to be MORE PRO-ACTIVE instead of treating complainants like that.
those in the netsphere who are listed in Villar's online media list should HOLD THEIR HORSES and solve the problem instead of employing squid tactics.
This post is too obvious. Tsk, tsk, tsk! Reyna Elena must be correct about "Country Fight", after all.
Neil,
Read first before you react. And if you share Reyna Elena's view, good for you.
Is this the ad you're pertaining to?
[youtube au-Wq3QFb2Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au-Wq3QFb2Q youtube] LOL
Slippery slope, people who work in advertising. I think of those shampoo commercials and billboards where they literally use computer graphics to alter the length, shine, movement of the hair.
False advertising din yun di ba?
Anyway, it isn't Manny Villar's job to rescue distressed workers. His job is to make laws to make sure migrants don't find themselves in those kinds of situations to begin with.
Moreoever, there is a stipulation in the contract of OFWs that employers are responsible for the return trip fares of their employees should the employer decide to sever the employee from the company.
It is the job of the Phil Consulate's Labor Attache to see that this contractual obligation is enforced, not Manny Villar's.
If Villar, extended financial assistance, a the following could happen exclusively of each other or simultaneously:
a) there will be a rapid swelling of requests for personal financial assistance (in lieu of meaningful government programs and assistance in enforcement of contractual obligations)
b) Villar's oppositors portray the "financial assistance" as "bribery" – and knowing how flipazzes can make phenomenal Mt Everests out of molehills – the opposing camp will throw everything they can at Villar's expense
This early, a paced sniping of ads will be concentrated in the direction of the man to beat. By the looks of it – it might be headed for a Roxas vs Villar showdown.
totoo ang post kse ako OFW, puro paporma lahat ang mga presidentiables. dika ba nagataka kung bakit konti lang ang nagparegister na OFWs, punta ka dito makikita mo mukha nila sa pamaypay na pinamimigay.
Allan
Dubai & UK
The post above is true, if you guys were here in middle east you will definitely hear something about this. Im telling you villar is not that person that you are thinking. Go ahead ask some people in las pinas and they will tell you all negative about villar.
Allan
UK & Dubai
True or not, I tend to believe this. The hotline must have received more than calls than necessary to include those who may be in real need. Not seeing them in person so yet, it is understandable that they get sweet promises. When it is time for them to really go to the office of Manny Villar, again, it is almost expected that all they will get are referral letters considering the sheer number of people who must have flocked to this office.
One Villar cannot afford to pay for any or all of them. If at all, it is for earning some sort of "pogi points", call it vote-buying if you please.
Primer:
Let me share this story that you might have already read or might have been forwarded to you before. The scene could be anywhere in the US, Europe, Middle East, Australia, HK or Singapore.
The Haircut
One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he asked about his bill and the barber replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop.
When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The cop is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.
Then a Pinoy comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The Pinoy is very happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen Pinoys lined up waiting for a free haircut.
And that, my friend, illustrates the dilemma Villar finds himself in.
So, after the florist, the cop, the Pinoy, and a dozen other Pinoys – each day on end – there appears to be 3 more days left for community service, is this correct?
If the last pattern continues, the barber ought just as willing to cut the hair of 36 more Pinoys without accepting money, am I correct.
After that, he can cut the head of every subsequent Pinoy who thinks he can have free hair cut.
So, at what point could Villar possibly found himself in – the 5th, the 6th, the 7th or the 8th day?