As 2010 comes rolling in, the TV Ads seem to show more and more infomercials of different politicians, more specifically, politicians who have a mind of running for election next year. The infomercials usually talks about government achievements plus the face of the person who heads the bureau.

These political figures cum infomercial models have been called by the chair of the Senate economic affairs committee Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, in a probe discussing the infomercial subject, mainly, the funds behind these rather pricey ventures.

Some of those requested to come are Vice President Noli De Castro, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves.

Others include Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Pagcor Chair Epraim Genuin, Chair of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Bayani Fernando, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, TESDA Chair Augusto Syjuco and Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

The politicians’ answers to the questions fielded by Santiago and accompanying Senator Loren Legarda were convincing at best and hilarious at worst.

When questioned about the existence of his infomercials, Health Secretary Duque answered that they were to “inform the public of the threats to public health…” naming the diseases dengue, typhoid fever and even the AH1N1. When asked by Santiago why it has to be he rather than some pretty faced model, Duque answered that as the chairman, it was his role to support his own projects.

Asked the same question, Bayani Fernando answered that the Filipino are the type to questions, “ang Pilipino kasi…tinatanong kung sino may sabi…” (Filipino’s tend to ask: “says who?”)

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus had a different approach, saying that his presence during his infomercial was because he was a model in his former life, arousing sudden laughter in the crowd.