No campaigning, but Binay may speak, at Sinulog

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay will lead the candidates for the May elections who will be taking advantage of the huge crowds at the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday to keep themselves in the public eye.

The parade is the culminating highlight of the 10-day celebration of the Feast of the Holy Child Jesus that began on Jan. 8.

The politicians, however, had been sternly warned they cannot campaign, give out freebies or shake hands with revelers to avoid tainting the religious event with political color.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros said candidates were welcome at the Cebu City Sports Center where thousands are expected to gather for the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Their presence may even be acknowledged, Ballesteros told reporters.

He said other parade participants were issued the same reminders.

While there are no penalties for violators, they would receive a reprimand from Sinulog marshals.

Among the candidates, only Binay was invited by suspended Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama to speak at the sports center as part of the program.

After all, Rama said, the standard-bearer of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) was still the country’s Vice President.

Rama, whose reelection bid is supported by UNA, said he met with Binay last weekend and extended the invitation, which the Vice President accepted.

“So far, the only one I have invited is VP (Binay) and I’m not inviting anyone else so it would not be messy,”said Rama, who is also Sinulog Foundation chair.

Those attending—although they did not receive a formal invitation from the city government—according to Assistant Provincial Administrator Ramil Abing, are vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo and senatorial candidates Joel Villanueva, Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros, all of the administration Liberal Party (LP).

He said they would be joining their party mate, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, who will lead the capitol contingent.

The LP candidates may join the capitol contingent either on the street or the grandstand, Abing added.

They will be given Sinulog shirts to wear to prevent any misconception they are here to campaign, Abing said.

At least 32 dancing contingents, 49 floats, 31 gigantes and 17 puppeteers will march in the grand parade that will start and end at the sports center grandstand.