ILOILO City – A proposed ordinance is seeking to end the practice of naming city government events after officials.
Councilor Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon filed a proposed ordinance that would prohibit naming city-funded events after incumbent officials — a practice that has long stirred public criticism for promoting personalities over community participation.
The proposed measure, titled “An Ordinance Establishing Guidelines for the Naming of Iloilo City Government-Organized Events”, seeks to institutionalize rules that would ensure neutrality and professionalism in city-organized programs, particularly sports and cultural events.
Ganzon said the proposed ordinance aims to protect the integrity of public events, which are often “overshadowed by controversy” when associated with the names of politicians.
“The essence of these events gets lost when people focus on criticism instead of participation,” he explained. “It’s not easy to organize events, and this ordinance will help guide the city government in properly naming them.”
Councilor Nene Dela Llana threw his full support behind Ganzon’s proposal, stressing that activities funded by taxpayers should be free from political branding.
“We should avoid using the names of sitting officials like the mayor, vice mayor, or councilors in city-organized events,” Dela Llana said during the session. “These activities are for the people, not for political promotion. The practice of putting names or pictures such as ‘Mayor’s Cup’ or ‘Vice Mayor’s Cup’ — we should stop that because it gives the impression of being epal’”
The measure comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding the upcoming Dinagyang 2026 sports events, which drew backlash online for carrying Mayor Raisa Treñas’ name.
The issue prompted the mayor to issue Executive Order No. 114, Series of 2025, directing organizers to refrain from naming city events after the incumbent mayor.
“While it has been a long-standing tradition, this practice diverts attention from the true purpose of these activities — promoting health, wellness, and community engagement,” Treñas stated in her order signed on October 23, 2025.
If passed, Ganzon’s ordinance will complement the mayor’s directive and institutionalize the de-politicization of public events — ensuring that city activities highlight community spirit, not political personalities./PN
