National officials make Sinulog appearance

CEBU, Philippines — Several political personalities joined the festivities yesterday, Jan. 21, 2024 at the South Road Properties for the Sinulog Grand Parade and showdown.

Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa expressed their gratitude to the Cebuanos for their continued support. All three will be ending their terms next year and are qualified to run again in the 2025 election.

In his speech on stage, Senator Go said that his brand of leadership is ready to render public service especially to the poor and the homeless as he told the spectators that there is a Malasakit Center ready to answer the medical needs and hospitalization of the patients.

Dubbed as Mr. Malasakit, Go has initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018. It was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which was principally authored and sponsored by him in the Senate.

To ensure that poor and indigent patients have access to affordable health services, Go offered assistance to those in need of medical care and advised them to visit any of the Malasakit Centers in the province.

Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.

Movie actor Phillip Salvador also joined Senator Go as part of the former’s entourage.

Senator Risa Hontiveros also joined yesterday’s festivities with former senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, as well as former senatorial aspirant Atty. Chel Diokno.

“Maraming salamat kay Mayor Rama sa pag welcome sa amin. Maraming salamat ninyo sa matagal na nga pagtabang sa ako. Sana tuloy tuloy na pagmamahal sa among grupo,” said Hontiveros.

Hontiveros, Diokno, Pangilinan and Aquino belongs to the Liberal Party while Rama is from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Dela Rosa, for his part, told spectators, especially the youth, to continue to stay away from drugs in order for them to have a brighter future.

Former Presidential Spokesperson and senatorial aspirant Harry Roque was also present at the SRP.

Other political personalities who joined the festivities were Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, who led his city’s Masskara Festival contingent that was participating in the Sinulog Grand Parade and showdown as guest performer. (CEBU NEWS)