Roco to speak at Ad Congress, but no politics

Presidential hopeful Raul Roco will not "appear political" when he speaks at the final night of the 18th Philippine Advertising Congress tomorrow.

David Guerrero, chairman of the Ad Congress creative committee, said they will not politicize the "Araw Awards," the biggest advertising event in the country, which is expected to be attended by some 3,000 delegates.

"The Ad Congress committee has no intention of painting any political color on the event," he said at a press conference.

"Elections" is the theme of the second night of the Araw Awards.

Guerrero said it was a "consensus" among members of the 18th Ad Congress committee to invite Roco to speak before delegates at the advertising awards night.

The delegates to the Ad Congress include advertising practitioners, suppliers and advertising students from different schools.

President Arroyo, who is seeking to extend her term in Malacañang, opened the 18th PAC on Wednesday and was guest at the opening cocktail party sponsored by The STAR.

Mrs. Arroyo refused to answer "political questions" from reporters, especially on matters concerning her alleged wooing of Eugenio Lopez III, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. chairman, for Sen. Noli de Castro, an ABS-CBN broadcaster, to be her vice-presidential running mate in next year’s elections.

Lopez, chairman of the 18th Ad Congress committee, also rejected questions that concern politics.

The second night of the Araw Awards will be hosted by ABS-CBN’s Korina Sanchez and Boy Abunda, among other personalities.

"Ate Glow," the famous gay impersonator of Mrs. Arroyo, will be among the presenters at the final night of the Araw Awards.

The Araw Awards started last night with awards given to winners in the categories of radio, interactive, direct marketing, design and broadcast crafts.

Aside from TV and print media categories, the final Araw Awards night will honor winners in outdoor advertising, multi-media, and in the Platinum category.

The 18th Ad Congress Araw Awards gives out a total of 120 awards out of 420 finalists.