Parents of participants in a swimming event in Butuan City couldn’t hide their disappointment after they were welcomed by tarpaulins and T-shirts from several senatorial candidates.
In a Facebook post, the concerned netizen said that they paid a registration fee to participate in a swimming event intended for children.
They questioned why even the participants’ T-shirts were required to feature a candidate’s face.
Aside from former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Benhur Abalos, tarpaulins of Senators Bong Go, and Bong Revilla were also spotted on the event.
According to one of the parents of the event, they couldn’t get the logic of the organizers for allowing the candidates to promote themselves for a children’s event.
“We travelled 6-7 hours from Malaybalay to Butuan City to join the Pai Caraga Speedo Swim Series Leg 1. Its just so disappointing that a simple kids swimming competition turns political,” the netizen said.
“And we paid for the registration fee which includes the shirt bearing the name and face of a politician. Dili paman intawon ni makabotar among mga anak mga sirs and mams,” they added.
As of writing, the said candidates have yet to give their response to the complaint made by parents.