Filipino paddlers eyed as product endorsers

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Philippine dragon boat team received offers to endorse products after bagging five gold medals in the recently concluded 10th International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Florida.

The military, however, will still study if soldiers who are part of the team are allowed to appear in advertisements.

Maj. Harold Cabunoc, manager of the Philippine dragon boat team, said they have to ensure that the 11 soldiers in the team would not violate military rules before accepting any offer.

“There have been some interest for sponsorships and product endorsements. We need to study these because we are in the public service. We have to make sure that these would not conflict with our code of ethics,” Cabunoc said yesterday.

Cabunoc declined to reveal the companies that are eyeing the team members as endorsers.

“What is certain is we have to follow the rules. We should not go against our image as soldiers and public servants,” he said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said they would still study their guidelines and regulations before deciding whether to allow the soldiers to accept endorsement offers.

 “These are subject to rules and regulations of the AFP. We have standing orders for that. They have to secure permission from their major services. We have a chain of command,” he said.

Burgos, nevertheless, admitted that the media exposure of the team members further boosted the image of the military.

“It (dragon boat team members’ exposure) is an advertisement of the armed forces and our country. Seeing them on the television is an honor for us,” he said.