Arroyo, Poe won’t attend Sinulog celebration

CEBU CITY — Where there’s a crowd, they should come. But are they really coming over?

Mayor Tomas Osmeña told reporters that a lot of senatoriable are expected to be here for the Sinulog revelry on Sunday.

Osmeña said President Arroyo would have wanted to accept his invitation to join the Sinulog festivity but she begged off, lest her participation be misconstrued as tainted by politics.

Elberto Emphasis, former presidential political liaison officer for Central Visayas, said the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) informed him the other day that the President would no longer be coming over as earlier planned because she did not want her visit to be mistaken as politicking.

Emphasis said the PMS arranged just this week for a supposed presidential visit because Mrs. Arroyo reportedly wished to pay a short visit to the Basilica del Sto. Niño just like what she did on Jan. 19, 2002.

Councilor George Rama, who is Fernando Poe Jr.’s immediate coordinator here, said he met with Poe in Manila last Saturday and the presidentiable told him that it will be unwise for him to be here in time for the Feast of Sto. Niño because the event is so solemn and that he does not want it marred with unfavorable incidents.

Aside from the possible misconception that he is here primarily to advance his presidential bid, Poe reportedly said his visit might cause chaos and some problems in controlling the crowd just like what happened when he went to the wake of Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat two weeks ago.

Rama said it was businessman Douglas Ludo who reportedly arranged Poe’s visit here.

In fact, a total of 10 rooms have reportedly been reserved at the Waterfront Hotel for Poe and company.

On the other hand, former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña said former Sen. Raul Roco is slated to be here tomorrow but he is not aware if the presidential candidate will be staying until Sunday.

Former Solicitor General Frank Chavez, a senatorial candidate in Roco’s ticket, will join Roco during his visit.

Meanwhile, former police regional director Tiburcio Fusilero said he is unsure if Sen. Panfilo Lacson, another presidentiable, will be coming over for the celebration.

Should presidential and senatorial candidates come over to witness the Sinulog, Mayor Osmeña is confident that the police will be able to handle the crowd and maintain peace and order. — Freeman News Service