WHICH CELEBRITIES from the glitzy world of movies, music, and sports have made donations to the candidates in the last five elections?
The “Mega Star”, the “Star for All Seasons”, and the “Queen of All Media” — they count among the pool of celebrities who have helped bankroll the campaign of national candidates and the major political parties in the last five national and midterm elections since 1998.
Kris Aquino, “Queen of All Media”, had donated P20 million and P15 million to her brother Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III when he ran for senator in 2007, and for president in 2010, respectively. Kris had also contributed P5 million to the Liberal Party and P10 million to party-list group Akbayan in the 2010 elections.
“Mega Star” Sharon Cuneta, meanwhile, has twice supported the campaign of her husband, Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan. In 2001, Sharon, along with mother Elaine (sister of actress Helen Gamboa) donated P3 million each to Pangilinan. In 2007, Sharon contributed P2 million for Kiko’s re-election bid.
In the 2001 elections, “Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos gave P5 million to her husband Senator Ralph Recto’s campaign.
In 2010, a donor from Koronadal City who is a namesake of retired professional basketball player Kenneth Duremdes made a P3-million donation to Senator Pia Cayetano’s campaign.
Also in 2010, donors who are namesakes of musicians Vincent Frederick Dancel (Twisted Halo/Peryodiko) and Kristina G. Dancel (Fatal Posporos/Cambio/Duster) gave P250,000 each to the campaign of Akbayan.
Singer Imelda Papin contributed P5,000 to Bangon Pilipinas, the party of presidential candidate Eddie C. Villanueva in 2010.
For more information about the donors to the candidates in the last five elections, check out PCIJ’s MoneyPolitics Online.