Loren defends Villar's choice of Dolphy, others as endorsers

MANILA, Philippines - Nacionalista Party (NP) vice presidential bet Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday said she respects her running mate’s decision to choose celebrities who have been rumored to be womanizers as his endorsers.

In the vice presidential forum hosted by the CBCP Media Office and the Catholic Media Network (CMN), Legarda was asked to comment on Sen. Manny Villar’s decision to seek the endorsement of comedy king Dolphy, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, and game show host Willie Revillame.

“Who am I to judge? I do not know how they conduct their private lives. They are endorsers chosen by my presidential candidate, while I am only endorsed by celebrity Sarah Geronimo who believes in my advocacy for women and the environment,” Legarda, who claims to uphold women’s rights, said.

She added that if Villar is comfortable with his endorsers then she would respect his decision. 

Dolphy, Rodolfo Quizon in real life, had affairs with a long list of women including actresses Alma Moreno and Pilar Pilapil, and now lives with actress-singer Zsa Zsa Padilla.

At 81, he has fathered 18 children with five different women.

The 49-year-old Revillame was once married to Princess Punzalan and Liz Almoro. He had a son with Almoro and he is the father of actress Meryll Soriano with another woman.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, has been linked to several women including Krista Ranillo and Ara Mina.

However, four male vice presidential candidates-Bagumbayan’s Bayani Fernando, Ang Kapatiran’s Dominador Chipeco Jr., Bangon Pilipinas’ Perfecto Yasay Jr. and Kilusang Bagong Lipunan’s Jay Sonza- who attended yesterday’s forum, were quick to criticize Villar’s selection of supporters.