Speeches at Dinagyang will be kept short

ILOILO CITY — Politicians who will attend the major activities of the Dinagyang Festival will be given a limited time to speak amid concerns the religious celebration might be used for campaigning.

City Mayor Jerry Treñas said allowing very, very important persons (VVIPs), particularly invited politicians, to speak during the festival is a gesture of respect for their presence.

"We will limit their opportunity to speak if we decide to allow it," said Treñas on Tuesday.

"Usually, it's only the mayor who delivers a welcome speech during the Dinagyang [...] It would be impolite not to let [them] speak," added Treñas.

A list released by the city government showed that at as of Jan. 14, at least 46 VVIPs have confirmed they will attend the event, including prominent names like former senators Franklin Drilon and Bam Aquino, Sen. Mark Villar and reelectionists Senators Francis Tolentino and Bong Revilla.

Senate aspirants Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Camille Villar and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay are also on the list.

Other VVIPs also include officials from Hagat in Guam, Taipei and the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines.

While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are yet to confirm their attendance, Treñas said the city government remains in constant communication with Malacañang.

"If the president is there, if the first lady is there, we will give them a chance to also speak as long as it is short. Even my speech is short because for me, what is important is the celebration of the Dinagyang," said Treñas.

The city mayor said VVIPs will be formally acknowledged during the events to align with Filipino traditions of hospitality.

Treñas confirmed that Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne "JamJam" Baronda has been invited to the festival, emphasizing his intention to prevent her from experiencing exclusion from its activities.

The two, who were political allies for two consecutive elections, have been estranged since March 2024 due to political differences in the lead-up to the 2025 midterm elections.

"I had a bad experience before. I do not want her to suffer the bad experience I suffered before," said Treñas.

In 2019, while serving as the city's congressman and running for mayor against then-mayor Jose Espinosa III, Treñas was excluded from festival activities by the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival Foundation Inc.

The incident eventually led to the creation of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., which has since managed the Dinagyang Festival alongside the city government and the Parish of San Jose de Placer.