A PARADE of candidates may be seen for the upcoming Baguio Flower Festival parades.
As the Baguio City Council bans politicking during the festival, the same body allowed candidates to walk the parade route during the grand street dancing and float events.
The original resolution, calling for a “strict non-politicization of candidates on any of the Panagbenga activities,” made by councilor Arthur Allad–iw was amended Monday, February 11, during the regular session.
The resolution clearly prohibits candidates on “any activities that may slow down or interrupt the conduct of the parades, including handshaking, taking pictures with the public, giving giveaways or any other similar activities.”
However, the guideline originally set by Allad–iw said “only local incumbent candidates can join the parade while other candidates can sit in the grandstand,” was deleted, allowing candidates to march the parade route provided they follow rules of conduct set.
Councilor Elmer Datuin said the festival is open to any candidate stressing all [candidates] can join the parades as long as compliance for guidelines are met.
The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Incorporated [BFFFI], organizer of the festival, strictly imposes a ban on politicking during the conduct of the street dancing and floral float parade events and previously said no candidates are allowed to join the parade route, delegating the Athletic Bowl grandstand as the area allotted for candidates invited for the parade.
“In principle, there is no compromise. Kasi we will still observe the phrase removed from the statement. We achieved our objective that what happened last year, where the Marcoses violated the protocol will not be repeated this time by any candidates,” Allad–iw said.
Allad–iw added an observance of rules as contained in the resolution said all stakeholders must ensure that they must comply.
Last year, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and former senator Ferdinand Marcos paraded with officials of the city and the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Incorporated and engaged the crowd at the parade route.
They were both given a chance to speak to the crowd at the Athletic Bowl, with Imee introducing “Bongbong” as the vice president of the Philippines.
After, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan tagged the appearance of Marcos siblings as “unfortunate,” as he acknowledged backlash from the public over the presence and demeanor of both guests.