EDITORIAL - Respect fiesta guests, including politicians

Maybe it is time certain sectors stop criticizing politicians for simply being here for the Santo Niño fiesta and the Sinulog festival. Regardless of their chosen calling, politicians are still people who have the right to express their faith and to have fun at the same time.

That people recognize them and shout their name, and they have to wave back or otherwise acknowledge the greetings should not be taken against them. It comes part of their profession and being in the public eye. It is not their fault if they are more recognizable than others.

Besides, acknowledging cheers is a sign of good manners. And it is pretty certain that if they do not acknowledge the cheers, they will be branded as arrogant, aloof, and a snub, which is far worse. So what are these people to do -- avoid the fiesta and the Sinulog?

Cebuanos are very proud of their devotion to the Santo Niño just as they are proud of the world class festival called Sinulog. People proud of anything normally show off their pride. Why then must we discriminate against certain individuals just because they happen to be politicians.

If we cannot even weed out the criminals who prey on our guests during the fiesta and the Sinulog and cause us a great big blackeye, why would we want to weed out law-abiding citizens to whom we owe hospitality as fiesta guests for the reason that they happen to be politicians.

The right to practice faith and the right to have fun, for as long as they do not break the law or cause harm or inconvenience to anyone, should not be denied anyone regardless of their chosen calling.

 Of course, during an election, they may be asked to refrain from campaigning. On the other hand, what really constitutes campaigning? If a politician were to distribute flyers or wave placards or do anything similarly obvious, then maybe that can be considered campaigning.

But to simply be present, to shake hands with well-wishers or to wave to return a cheer or an acknowledgement should not be construed as campaigning. They are in fact gestures of good manners that should be praised and emulated, not criticized.