Panagbenga festival draws Senate hopefuls

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Candidates in May’s election could not resist joining yesterday’s street dancing parade during the Baguio Flower Festival, but fortunately they “behaved” and did not openly campaign.

Administration senatorial candidates Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla and Imee Marcos showed up at yesterday’s festivity. Although they did not campaign openly, they couldn’t help waving and shaking hands with the crowd.

“They were warned and if they did it, they knew the consequences,” Anthony de Leon, co-chairman of the executive committee of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, said.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan was happy the candidates did not break from the parade ranks this time.

Last year, Marcos, her son Matthew and brother former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paraded and broke from the ranks to shake hands and have selfies with the spectators.

Local officials and event organizers earlier warned political candidates and their supporters against campaigning during the Panagbenga, one of the most attended festival in the country.

Domogan said candidates for the national positions could join in today’s flower float parade and ride their floats, but should not distribute leaflets, shirts and other campaign materials.

Councilor Elmer Datuin, chairman of the city council tourism committee, said everyone had been invited to the festivities, especially the highlights such as the twin street dancing and flower float parades.