Manifesto signed after call to probe expenses: Mayors back Pasigarbo

CEBU, Philippines — The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Cebu Chapter has expressed its support for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, which is dubbed as the “Festivals of all festivals” in Cebu Province.

This, after the expenditure, which reached almost P200 million, for the annual cultural event of the Cebu Provincial Government was questioned, through a social media post.

“This irresponsible, tactless, and reprehensible remarks have not only caused an irreparable injury to the reputation of the Province of Cebu, but it has besmirched the world-renowned Pasigarbo sa Sugbo as the Festival of all Festivals of the Province which embodies the rich Cebuano culture and heritage,” reads part of the LMP-Cebu manifesto.

The document was signed by 44 Cebu municipal mayors and the chief executives of the cities of Bogo, Carcar, Naga, Talisay, and Toledo.

In the manifesto, LMP-Cebu did not mention the name of a “certain individual” who made a comparison about the expenditures on the conduct of said socio-cultural event.

But on Nov. 12, Cebu gubernatorial aspirant Pamela Baricuatro posted on her Facebook page a call for an investigation into the P200-million expenditures for Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

“HOR, why did you question Inday Sara’s expenditure of 125M in 11 days when Pasigarbo in Cebu spent close to 200M in just one day! Pls investigate,” Baricuatro said.

Baricuatro is one of the challengers of incumbent Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in the May 2025 gubernatorial race in Cebu.

The said post gained thousands of reactions and shares from netizens, prompting the Cebu mayors to issue a manifesto.

“We vehemently object the comparison which insinuates mismanagement or irregular spending of public funds,” the LMP-Cebu said.

The mayors said the P200 million was distributed to the different towns and cities in the province, as a form of subsidy for the logistical needs in conducting socio-cultural activities, including the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

“We do not deny the logistical costs that each LGU may have incurred in our participation for the said event, but this Pasigarbo sa Sugbo has not only invigorated our sense of unity through the celebration of each or our municipality's identity, culture, and heritage but this grandest event has ushered massive opportunities for every Cebuano talent, namely; the choreographers, artists, and performers, to rise above and be proudly known through their individual ingenuity, and through their masterpiece of exceptional arts and performances onstage,” they said.

The mayors also said that the event opens economic opportunities not only for those who are involved in the preparation, like the artists, and choreographers, among others but also for the displaced and informal workers of each LGU during the practices.  —/RHM (FREEMAN)