BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) declared that the 29th edition of the Panagbenga or Baguio Flower Festival that will run from February 1 to March 2, 2025 is a campaign-free event even if the major highlights fall during the 90-day campaign period for aspirants seeking national elected positions.
Panagbenga Executive Committee Chairman and Baguio Country Club (BCC) General Manager Anthony de Leon said that the rules will be applicable to all incumbents and candidates participating in or attending the festival during the lined up events.
He challenged the candidates to respect the spirit of the festival and support of its goals of community celebration, inclusivity and cultural preservation.
The BFFFI official claimed that the guidelines will be communicated to all candidates and incumbents through official communication channels.
Further, he noted that festival marshals, security personnel, and volunteers will undergo orientation to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the rules.
Based on the said rules, incumbents and candidates are prohibited from using festival activities as platforms for campaigning, endorsing or distributing campaign materials.
Further, all public officials must wear appropriate attire befitting their roles and avoid wearing clothing with campaign slogans or insignias.
It added that candidates must ensure their presence as attendees and as not campaigners.
De Leon claimed that no interruptions or diversions should occur during the conduct of the major parades, official ceremonies among others.
“Festival venues must remain free from political advertisements, banners or tarpaulins,” he said.
According to him, there should be no throwing of giveaways, handing out flyers, breaking from the line, while party-list groups should not indicate names in the float, just the advocacy.
Moreover, candidates are prohibited from distributing gifts, cash or campaign paraphernalia and that any form of solicitation from incumbents or candidates will be strictly barred.
The rules explained that media interviews during the festival highlights must focus on the event and its significance, avoiding political discourse.
The BCC general manager emphasized that festival venues, parade routes and official event sites will be considered as campaign-free zones while enforcement of the same will be ensured by designated marshals and local law enforcers in coordination with the festival organizers.
Among the consequences for violation of the said rules are the official nullification from BFFFI events; reporting of violations to the Commission on Election (Comelec) for further action and revocation of participation or exclusion from festival participation for repeat offenders.
The BFFFI will be establishing a festival monitoring committee to closely monitor compliance of the incumbents and candidates to the promulgated guidelines as it will coordinate with the Comelec to ensure that the rules will adhere to festival standards. By Dexter A. See