Binay, Robredo headed for Sinulog; festival won’t allow campaigning
Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
CEBU CITY–Vice President Jejomar Binay will lead the pack of candidates for national elections who are expected to attend the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday.
Suspended Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama said Binay accepted his invitation to attend the grand parade that would cap the 10-day festivities to celebrate the feast of the Holy Child Jesus.
He said he met with Binay last weekend and that he already slated the Sinulog in his schedule.
“So far the one that I have invited is only VP (Vice President Binay) and I’m not inviting anyone so it would not be messy,” said Rama, chair of the Sinulog Foundation Inc.
Binay, standard bearer of the United Nationalist Alliance’s (UNA), would be allowed to speak if he wanted to, said Rama, whose reelection bid was supported by UNA.
“He is still the Vice President,” he said.
Aside from Binay, Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo, vice presidential bet of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), was also expected at the Sinulog Grand Parade.
Expected to be with Robredo were LP senatorial candidates Joel Villanueva, Leila de Lima, and Risa Hontiveros.
SFI executive director Ricky Ballesteros said candidates for the May polls would be allowed to be at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) to watch the Sinulog Grand Parade.
But he warned that they would not be allowed to campaign, handout freebies or even wear party shirts.
READ: Political VIPs at Sinulog not allowed to campaign
“They (politicos) are allowed as long as they don’t shake hands with the people or give out flyers. We have people in charge of that,” he said.
At least 32 dancing contingents, 49 floats, 31 higantes and 17 puppeteers would join the Sinulog Grand Parade that would start and end at the grand stand of the CCSC.
The contingents would parade around the major city streets in a carousel route, drawing in thousands of tourists and revelers who wanted to see their performance. CDG
READ: Balikbayans ready for Sinulog
