Telecom firm's 'product endorser' duped?

By Erly C. Garcia

How does it feel to be used as product endorser without your knowledge and without receiving something in return?

Napoleon Joaquin

A man who was used by Smart Telecom Inc. as endorser of their Talk ‘n Text Partner promo complained that he was not informed that he will be used as product endorser. Moreover, he has not received any compensation for the said endorsement.

Napoleon Joaquin of Pavia , Iloilo , a small businessman , was surprised to see himself on newspaper advertisements December last year endorsing Talk ‘n Text Partner alongside comedian Dolphy .

His name and life story was also used in radio advertisements.

Joaquin said, because of the said media exposures his relatives and friends went to him to ask for money thinking that he had earned a lot for appearing on said advertisements.

Joaquin recalled that two personnel from Smart Telecom approached him sometime in August last year. He was asked to submit three types of pictures—one in formal attire, the other one holding money and one attending to customers in his reloading center.

He was also asked to submit his life story.

Joaquin said he was not informed that it would be used in advertisements but he submitted what those two personnel told him thinking that it could be a promo and that he might earn from it if he wins.

After that encounter he already lost contact with the two personnel.

He was only surprised to see himself and his life story in Talk ‘n Text Partner advertisement wherein after he inquired he was simply ignored by the two personnel who previously approached him.

Assisted by lawyer Joshua Alim , Joaquin wanted an explanation from the said telecommunications company regarding the matter.

Alim warned that they may file damages in the amount of not less than 10 million pesos in the event Smart Telecom ignores the complaint of his client.