Kim Henares does ice bucket challenge, De Lima to follow

MANILA, Philippines — Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares accepted the dare to douse herself with cold water as part of the global effort to raise awareness on Lou Gehrig's disease or amytophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Henares previously promised to accept the challenge posed by ABS-CBN news program host, Anthony Taberna.

Taberna said that Henares nominated Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Estela Sales to do the challenge next.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, meanwhile, is expected to do the ice bucket challenge Tuesday afternoon.

De Lima said she found her participation in the viral campaign for a "worthy cause."

In a cable sent this week to all United States diplomatic missions, the lawyers say it runs afoul of federal ethics rules barring officials from using public office for private gain "no matter how worthy the cause."

The cable, recently obtained by the Associated Press, pointed out that choosing among worthy charities can be a difficult personal decision that is made "even more difficult when high-ranking State Department personnel with high-profile positions are asked to participate in charitable fund-raising, and concerns about preference and favoritism always arise."

The viral videos showing Holywood celebrities and various other personalities pouring ice-cold water over the heads circulated the social Web since June 20 when stars of the morning program Morning Drive on Gold Channel broadcasted an on-air Ice Bucket Challlenge.

To date, the ALS Association said it has raised over $70 million as of August. - Camille Diola