LAWYER Salvador Panelo is among the judges in this year's Hiyas sa Kadayawan grand finals tonight, August 16.
Panelo is a former spokesperson of ousted Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and counsel for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and police officers who rescued a businesswoman from Manila-based kidnappers last month.
City Tourism Office (CTO) officer-in-charge Lisette Marques named Panelo as among the judges who will choose this year's Hiyas.
Other judges are Fr. Alexander P. Balatbat of Diocese of Antipolo, former beauty queen Jewel Lobaton, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and the wife of Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Hyuk.
Also acting as judges are the president of Ikebana International Davao Chapter Danney Barnett and Mike Dakudao.
The Hiyas sa Kadayawan finals will be held tonight at the Davao City Recreational Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Hiyas candidates for this year are Jennifer Fahima Kusain, 18, Maguindanaon tribe; Aluka Saraka Bulang, 18, Sama tribe; Najera Labena, 20, Kagan; Norwainie Abbas, 19, Maranao; Almora Omar, 19, Tausug; Noemi Abregana, Matigsalug; Joan Mae Caduldulan, 21, K'lata; Cristita Armero, 19, Ovu Manobo; Vilma Paundag, 22, Ata tribe; and Laizy Mae Abenoja, 23, Tagabawa tribe. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)