Governor to sue sponsors, choreographer, performers of Sta. Fe bikini show

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia wants the sponsors, choreographer, and performers of the bikini show in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island included in the charges Capitol has filed against the show’s organizers and owner of the resort where the show was held.

“I want sponsors included,” Garcia said yesterday.

Last April 14, Garcia sued the event’s organizer, Elton Tiu, and Rommel Solon, owner of the resort where the show was held last April 11, Black Saturday.

Garcia alleged that the respondents violated Section 19 of the Cebu Women’s Development Code and Article 21 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits the production and exhibition of “obscene” materials or shows.

Capitol is now studying the grounds on which the choreographer of the show and performers —including celebrity guests Maui Taylor, Jeniffer Lee, and Paolo Paraiso— can be indicted to the charges.

The province has identified Globe and Red Mobile as sponsors of the event.

The province also said the event’s organizers did not have a mayor’s permit to hold the show during the observance of the Holy Week, which reportedly violates an ordinance that prohibits the conduct of non-religious activities at a 500-meter radius from churches. — Sarah Jane A. Nengasca and Grace C. Guiang, UP Masscom interns/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)