EDITORIAL — Resolve this issue, save Pasigarbo

This year’s edition of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo has become memorable. However, not because of the presentations, amazing as they were, but because of controversy, specifically the allegations that some performances were sabotaged to make others look good and win.

You might have heard of what happened by now; several performances were affected by glitches they had to be repeated. The glitches occurred so frequently that people, including Governor Gwen Garcia, became frustrated.

Now she is hinting that this edition might be the last.

“Kung naa pa. Kung naa pa. Kay kung magsige ni og yawyaw ang mora ra ba og kamao, maypa wagtangon na lang. Ang 2024 remains to be. Remains to be, depende pa gyud ni kay actually frustrated g’yud kaayo ko nga ana ra diay kasayon i-sabotahe,” the governor was quoted as saying.

We hope Governor Garcia didn’t mean her threat. The Pasigarbo sa Sugbo is a one-of-a-kind event that promotes the best performances Cebu has to offer. It is not just a show of tradition, culture, and pride of place but also a venue to discover new talent.

It has become an event many sectors look forward to and even dedicate their talents and abilities to.

However, we also understand why she would issue such a threat; because the glitches didn’t just happen once it seriously undermined the reputation of the contest and gave the illusion that some contingents were not being treated fairly. And the damage to reputation doesn’t stay with the organizers of the contest, but also affects the reputation of the provincial government and Cebuanos in general.

Now the events leading to what happened must be revealed and those responsible made to pay. Resolve this issue and save Pasigarbo.

This doesn’t mean we are pointing fingers and saying we know who did and didn’t do what. While those being held responsible for the fiasco appear to have some stake in the results that came out, the entire picture of this story has yet to emerge.