Overt poll campaigning banned during Panagbenga fest

BAGUIO CITY (January 23, 2025) -- Overt electoral campaigning remains to be banned during the highlights of the Panagbenga festival opening on February 1.

National and local bets are advised to strictly adhere to the established ‘no campaigning’ rules on pain of being barred from attending the festival highlights, particularly the twin grand street dancing and grand floral parades on February 22 and 23, festival organizer Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) said.

Anthony de Leon, Co-Chair of the Panagbenga Executive Committee and General Manager of the Baguio Country Club (BCC) said, they will be constrained to force the candidates out of the parade route once they break their line and shake hands with the people in the crowd or distribute campaign paraphernalia during the parades.

Under the established rules, candidates who decide to ride their floats during the grand floral parade are not allowed to break the line to avoid unnecessary delays in the parade flow.

On the other hand, supporters of candidates are also barred from distributing campaign paraphernalia during the twin parades to prevent unnecessary distraction from the performances of street dancers and flower floats.

De Leon recalled that some aspirants for national positions who were found violating the parade rules in the past were barred to continue joining the parade because they caused distraction.

Though the BFFFI welcome aspirants for the various national and local elective positions to join the parades or have their own floats for the grand floral parade, they are warned to exercise diligence in abiding by the rules.

Panagbenga, now on its 29^th year, is the only festival in the country included in the elite list of the International Festival and Events Association. It has been drawing throng upon throngs of revelers, especially during its highlights, making it perhaps the most attended festival north of Manila, or even in the whole country.