ILOIO City – Politicians running for national elective posts this midterm elections must keep their speeches short during the Dinagyang Festival or risk being heckled. Spectators are more eager to witness the performances of competing tribes than hear long, boring repartees, according to the city government’s protocol officer.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III announced the other day politicians would be allowed to speak during the two-day highlights of the Dinagyang Festival – at the Kasadyahan cultural contest on Jan. 26 and at the ati-ati tribes competition on Jan. 27. But only “national politicians”, not local ones.
The speeches must only be two to three minutes short, or shorter, said Jorvelyn Espinosa, city government protocol officer.
“The audience is more eager to get the competition going. Keeping the speech to a minimum will discourage booing or heckling from the crowd,” said Espinosa.
The city government has identified two keynote speakers – Sen. Cynthia Villar and former special assistant to the president Christopher “Bong” Go – but Mayor Espinosa said more could be accommodated.
On the other hand, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) and the Parish of San Jose de Placer – partners of the city government in staging this year’s Dinagyang – said speeches must focus on the devotion to the Santo Niño; political comments must be avoided.
Dinagyang Festival started in 1967. A replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church. The image was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of Iloilo City.
“The speaker can go straight to his or her speech right away” without acknowledging other VIPs because Mayor Espinosa would have acknowledged them already in his opening remarks, said the city government protocol officer.
Regarding election campaign streamers of politicians, on the other hand, IDFI vice president and chairman of the finance committee Marissa Segovia said they would count on the “sense of prudence” of these people and city government officials tasked to act on them.
Mayor Espinosa said he had no plan to order the removal of political streamers during the Dinagyang.
“Akusahan naman ko na nila karun (They could be accusing me of playing politics),” he said.
Aside from Villar and Go, other current and past national government officials who have so far confirmed to attend the Dinagyang were Sen. Franklin Drilon, Ilocos Norte’s Gov. Imee Marcos and brother, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
In giving politicians the opportunity to speak to the Dinagyang audience, Mayor Espinosa said, “In my view, it’s open season for politicians. During lull moments between Dinagyang tribe performances, they can address the public./PN
