BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. admonished reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos for riding a float during the Panagbenga Festival grand float parade here on Feb. 23 where politicians are barred from campaigning.
REELECTIONIST Sen. Marcos waves to the crowd during the grand float parade of the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City on Feb. 23. (Zaldy Comanda)
“We strongly oppose the actions of politicians who exploited the festival for their own interests, despite repeated reminders and official communications urging them to respect the event," Anthony de Leon, executive committee member of the BFFFI.
Netizens strongly reacted over Marcos’ apparent campaigning in the float that went viral on social media.
The BFFFI said they have yet to receive an official explanation or apology from groups who violated guidelines against political campaigning during the parade. The foundation might consider banning them from participation in future celebrations.
Marcos rode a float with the words “Ilocos Norte: I’m In” that allegedly did not comply with the BFFFI’s strict prohibition against campaigning.
Floats stopped while entering the Melvin Jones football ground. Marcos disembarked and the media approached her for an interview. After the interview, she approached people, shook hands, went to her vehicle, and left to go to a festival in Cavite.
De Leon announced that they will conclude the investigation on why Marcos was seen on the float which was said to be unauthorized.
Mauricio Domogan, BFFFI Chairman for Life, said that they do not allow campaigning during the parade.
“You saw that violating, campaigning during the parade, we are not going to just let it pass without the corresponding appropriate action. Possibly a ban on participation in the next Panagbenga.”
“There was a float carrying a candidate and arrived at Melvin Jones where we did not see any violation, but we were just surprised by the last float that committed a violation,” Domogan said.
Freddie Alquiroz, chairman of the Panagbenga Festival, also said that the TIEZA float will also be investigated for violating the no campaign policy.
Diwata, a party-list candidate and social media influencer, attracted controversy after he was seen wearing Cordilleran attire during the parade.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), in a statement, said Diwata did not likely intend to demean the Indigenous People of the Cordillera.
"The office acknowledges that Diwata likely did not intend to demean or degrade, even in the slightest possibilities, the ICCs/IPs of the Cordillera, it is vital to recognize, that his actions either intentional or unintentional reflect a broader societal issue," the NCIP said.