Children in political ads

Madrigal also complained about political ads that "use children and actors who you have to pay P30 million just to endorse you."

They are "an insult to the Filipino intelligence," she said.

The audience quickly sensed, though, that she was taking a stab specifically at Villar, widely perceived as the biggest ad spender so far among the presidential aspirants.

Madrigal spoke of people "who have spent P2 billion [in] ads" and "who think they can buy Malacanang" - remarks heard from her on the Senate floor recently when she demanded that plunder charges be filed against Villar over the C-5 road project controversy.
"I have no jingles," said Madrigal, who is running as an independent. "My ads are merely a reflection of my political platform and my principles."

Celebrity endorser

A panelist, however, reminded Madrigal - and the audience - that she, too, had paid a celebrity endorser (Judy Ann Santos) to star in her campaign ads in the 2004 senatorial elections.

Madrigal then turned contrite: "(I have) seen the folly of my ways. I will not repeat it because I do not believe you (must) repeat a mistake. But I also don't believe you should perpetuate lies that are perpetuated by a big budget."

Madrigal found another opportunity for more Villar-bashing - even when the question was about milk.

Milk code

She blamed the "boycott" staged by Villar and his supporters in the Senate minority for the chamber's failure last week to pass "a milk code that would have saved the lives of many infants."

"We were curtailing milk companies from advertising (that) their products were substitutes for breast milk," she said. "This pro-poor bill would have saved lives because (certain baby food) products are really not meant to replace breast milk. They're mixed with dirty water and the poor die because of it."

She said the measure could have been passed if not for a "very inconsiderate minority."

When asked if she had anything good to say about Villar in the debate, she replied, without much of a pause: "Maganda po 'yung pagtina ng buhok niya (His dyed hair looks good)."