MANILA, Philippines - Determined to prove she is not wrong, independent presidential candidate Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal went to one of the famous wet markets in Metro Manila and inspected the price of galunggong fish (Mackerel scad).

"Pero hindi ako nagkamali eh. Half a kilo is P60. Iyan ang naalala ko (but I was not wrong. Half a kilo is P60. That's what I remember)," Madrigal told reporters during her visit at the fish section of Nepa-Q Mart in Cubao, Quezon City on the 3rd day of the campaign period.

Madrigal was trying to make up for her mistake during a presidential forum at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on Monday, where she was asked about the current price of a kilo of galunggong and red eggs.

The question was meant to show whether Madrigal, who claims to be pro-masses, knows the cost of what used to be a staple meal on poor people's tables.

Her answer was P60, which roused laughter among the students and members of the academe who participated in the forum.

The senator also added that, being a vegetarian, she does not eat fish or eggs.

Madrigal was told the correct answer is that galunggong costs P120 a kilo.

Food security?

Madrigal's critics saw her wrong answer to the "galunggong" questin as proof that she is not "pro-poor" and does not visit wet markets.

The senator, however, said she buys her vegetables in wet markets, which she prefers over supermarkets because the items are fresh.

"Hindi ako umiiwas sa palengke. Mas maganda ang produce dito. Sa grocery kasi frozen na eh. Sa vegetable section, pero bumibista ako (I don't avoid public markets because there are better produce here. Goods in groceries are frozen. I visit the vegetable section)," Madrigal said.

After giving statements to the media, Madrigal took 2 pieces of galunggong and held them out for the media to see. Each fish had a price tag attached, saying it cost P55 (per half a kilo).

While making the rounds, Madrigal also distributed swarovski crystal bracelets to people at the public market.

She said that, if elected president, she will work to bring down the prices of basic goods, including the price of galunggong and her "favorite" vegetables monggo (mung beans) and kangkong (water spinach).

"Not only food security. I will bring down the prices of fish, rice and vegetables because that is what [poor] Filinos eat," Madrigal said.

Swipe at Villar

The senator also did not forget to take a swipe at her political opponent, Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manuel Villar, who grew up as a poor toddler in the Tondo district.

She belied Villar's claim that he became rich due to hard work. She said Villar became rich because he married a member of a rich family, referring to Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.

"Gimmick lang iyon. Mahirap siya pero nag-asawa siya ng mayaman. Hindi siya yumaman dahil sa sipag at tiyaga (That's only a political gimmick. He was poor but he married a rich wife. He did not became rich because of hard work)," Madrigal said.

Villar has used the slogan "Sipag at Tiyaga" in past elections.

Madrigal said Villar became richer when he was elected to public office. She accused Villar of corrupting the people's money and using it to fund his businesses.

This trend of increasing wealth among politicians who hold public office includes not just Senators like Villar and Madrigal; but presidents and local government officials.

While Villar has been found to be the richest Senator, Madrigal is the second richest Senator with declared assets of P146 million in 2008. With a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News