POLITICIANS who will grab the opportunity to gain mileage during the Sinulog grand parade on Sunday, Jan. 20 will not be allowed to ride any float during the event.
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak announced the development on Friday, January 18 after meeting the head of contingents, who will be joining the grand parade for a final briefing.
“It will be at your own risk. If you allow politicians to ride on your floats, we can't guarantee that we can secure them. If they have haters who will throw something to them, we cannot guarantee that it won't happen. That is why, as much as possible, let us just should avoid it. We will also stop them and bar them from entering the sports center if they are aboard a float,” Tumulak said.
The councilor, along with program head and other personnel of Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), held a final briefing for the head of contingents who will be joining the grand parade.
Tumulak, who is also the chairman of the executive committee of SFI, said politicians will only be allowed to enter the Cebu City Sports Center during the grand parade if they will pay for their tickets.
So far, 24 dancing contingents will compete during the grand parade, while six will perform as guests. A total of 51 floats will also join the grand parade along with 24 higantes and 10 puppeteers.
Guest contingents include the performers from the Cebu City Government, Cebu Province, Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival from South Korea, San Diego dancers, Team Police Regional Office 7 and Tangub Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe.
The grand parade will start at 8 a.m. and is expected to be finished at 6 p.m.