1 week ago
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CEBU CITY — Sen. Imee Marcos has dismissed reports circulating on social media that she was barred from attending future Panagbenga Festivals in Baguio City due to her alleged electioneering during the recent float parade.
She branded the accusation as "fake news."
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, Marcos refuted allegations that she and her team violated festival rules during the Grand Float Parade on Feb. 23 in Baguio City.
A REGULAR FLOAT Sen. Imee Marcos joins the Grand Float Parade on Feb. 23, 2025, as part of the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City. PHOTO BY HARLEY PALANGCHAO
Marcos said the claims were entirely false and assured that festival guidelines had not been violated by her and her team.
She insisted that people in Baguio could verify the truth of the matter.
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The controversy stemmed from her participation in the annual parade, where she and her entourage were seen wearing red shirts, which some sectors interpreted as campaign-related.
However, she maintained that they complied with all regulations set by the Panagbenga Foundation.
The senator assured that she was not wearing a campaign shirt and her team had coordinated with festival organizers throughout the event.
Marcos also questioned reports that former senator Lito Lapid was present during the float parade. As far as she can recall, it was Mark Lapid who attended the parade and not his father.
She said she was surprised at the allegations and said it felt like she had stepped into an "alternate universe" when she heard about them after the festival.
She said her group did not engage in any form of campaigning. They did not throw anything to the crowd and did not wear campaign-related attire.
The Panagbenga Festival, Baguio City's premier flower festival, maintains strict guidelines to prevent political activities during its events.
Organizers have yet to issue an official statement regarding the issue.
The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) had explicitly prohibited candidates from campaigning during the 29th Panagbenga Festival last month.
The foundation, however, clarified that while candidates could attend the festival, they are prohibited from displaying campaign materials, distributing political paraphernalia, or delivering speeches with political content.
Additionally, candidates were discouraged from disembarking their floats to engage directly with spectators, such as shaking hands or distributing items.
