Guidelines imposed on speeches

Iloilo City Protocol Officer Jorvelyn Espinosa said the city government has decided to impose guidelines on speeches made during the ongoing Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.

Among the restrictions include keeping speeches between two and three minutes as a means to “discourage booing or heckling.”

In addition, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. and San Jose Parish Church have requested speakers focus on honoring the Santo Niño instead of politics.

Speakers were also advised, since Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III will greet and acknowledge all VIPs during his welcoming remarks, there is no need to offer added greetings.

“The speaker can go straight [into] his or her speech,” the protocol officer affirmed.

Senator Cynthia Villar and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go are both scheduled to speak at the event; while other political figures are expected to attend the festival, namely, Senator Franklin Drilon; former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr.; along with senatorial candidates Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, former Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr., and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque./WDJ