MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Richard Gordon on Friday defended his appearance on a TV advertisement, saying that the campaign of the commercial soap Safeguard, called “Laban sa Limang Banta,” was a legitimate advocacy of public health, hygiene and safety.

Gordon said he had been with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) for over 30 years, from the time when he enlisted as a volunteer at the age of 17.

He also used to be a brand manager of Procter and Gamble, the company behind Safeguard.

“The intent and core message of the Safeguard advertising campaign was to teach the general public the benefits of proper hand washing and its importance in preventing the spread of communicable diseases,” Gordon said.

Senator Pia Cayetano, who appeared on the commercial of the product, Downey Fabric Softener, said there was nothing wrong about any person coming out in public for various causes.

“I personally lent my name to a good cause, which is saving water. And so, unless there is a specific allegation as to why there would be a specific concern, say conflict of interest, that can be dealt with on a case-to-case basis,” she said.

Other product endorsers in the Senate are Senators Francis Pangilinan (Lucky Me Instant Noodles), Senator Francis Escudero (Circulan drug), Loren Legarda (Lucida DS whitening supplement), Panfilo Lacson (Facial Care). Cynthia D. Balana