ILOILO City – Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) vice president Marissa Segovia tendered her irrevocable resignation after being subjected to a humiliating outburst by Cong. Jerry Treñas.
Segovia did not issue a statement to the press but IDFI, in an official statement from foundation president Ramon Cua-Locsin on Feb. 19, defended her and obliquely criticized the congressman.
Treñas confronted Segovia, a businesswoman, during a meeting of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation on Feb. 14 for supposedly not having been invited to the Dinagyang Festival last month.
“We believe that we have discharged our duties fairly and judiciously for the successful conduct of the Dinagyang Festival, and we hope that this will end the controversy raised by those whose self-interest could trivialize the achievements of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival and IDFI,” read part of the foundation’s statement.
IDFI accepted Segovia’s resignation with reluctance.
“The Board strongly objects to (her) resignation believing in her capacity and contribution to realize the vision of IDFI and the organization’s role in the development of Iloilo City and Province,” it stated.
Nevertheless, the foundation also hoped that Segovia’s decision would isolate IDFI from political issues.
In a previous interview with reporters, Treñas said that as an official of the city, he should have been invited to the Dinagyang and that the festival should have been spared from politics.
Treñas is running for mayor against Mayor Jose Espinosa III this May 13 midterm elections. He said it was during his term as mayor that the private sector – the IDFI for that matter – was tapped to handle the yearly Dinagyang.
“IDFI has always acted with good faith in dealing with all partners of the festival. This is a major factor for the high trust rating of the public in IDFI. This is also the basis of Ms. Segovia’s statement during one of her interviews that Cong. Treñas was invited in the festivities. The City Mayor was also consistent in his interviews that everyone was welcome,” the foundation’s statement further read.
The staging of the 2019 Dinagyang was a tripartite effort of the city government, IDFI and Parish of San Jose de Placer.
The foundation noted that under Executive Order No. 115-2018 issued by Mayor Espinosa in November last year, the City Mayor’s Office was in-charge of the VIP invitations.
According to the IDFI, it has always deferred to the Office of the City Mayor when it comes to inviting local and national officials/guests to the Dinagyang.
This was contrary to the statement that Espinosa issued on Monday. According to the mayor, “Wala ko gapahilabot sa program sang IDFI.”
“IDFI is composed of professionals and highly respected members of the business community who takes pride and a sense of ownership in the achievements of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival. The same values are imbibed by majority of our committee volunteers / NGO-partners, corporate sponsors and even small-medium vendors who participate with sincerity and dedication through the years. In no uncertain terms will these people jeopardize or prostitute the integrity of Dinagyang as charged by the good congressman,” the foundation stressed.
This year, to avoid politicizing Dinagyang, IDFI issued an official statement prohibiting early political campaigning during the festivities.
During regular committee meetings, it also consistently stressed the need to preserve Dinagyang’s cultural and religious values.
While the foundation accepted Segovia’s resignation, the IDFI Board requested her to serve the remainder of her term as trustee until the election of the Board on July 2019.
She agreed.
On Monday, Espinosa criticized Treñas for humiliating Segovia.
“Maninggit ka sa babaye kag insultuhan ang babaye. There were people there,” said Espinosa.
According to the mayor, he did not want to comment on the shouting incident but “gina-twist nga ako ang may sala.”
“I will never do it to a woman. Ako na-shock pagkabati ko. I know Marissa. Tani ginapatawag mo lang sekreto kun may lain ka buot,” said Espinosa.
Treñas reportedly already apologized for his behavior that reduced Segovia to tears./PN
