POLITICAL candidates or “epalitikos” who intend to ride on the activities related to the Kaganapan 2019 celebration to campaign or do “epals” will not be given the platform to speak.
This was the warning of Kaganapan 2019 Executive Committee (execom) chairman Ferdinand Caylao during the press conference Monday, January 28, for the 18th cityhood anniversary celebration of San Fernando.
The warning came amid the worries that politicians may take advantage of the celebration to campaign for themselves, especially that the midterm election is approaching.
The execom, in partnership with the local government here, has slated several activities for the month-long cityhood anniversary celebration which kicked off Monday and will run until the end of February.
“Our politicians must take note that the activities are held in celebration of San Fernando’s cityhood anniversary so the people are attending to celebrate. I hope we can be united in understanding that the celebrations are venues to celebrate and not to campaign,” he said.
While appearance of political candidates in some activities is inevitable, especially for incumbent ones, Caylao said he is optimistic that their speeches will focus on the celebration alone.
“We have been promoting inclusiveness in San Fernando, and Fernandinos are always welcoming guests, so if they want to come, they will be received but I hope they will understand if they will not be given the platform to speak, especially if they do not have participation in the celebration,” he said.
Caylao added that the organizing committee will also monitor tarpaulins and other campaign materials that will be posted or distributed during and in the venues of the Kaganapan-related activities.