CLAIM: The “Martyr or Murderer” floral float was an official entry in the Panagbenga Floral Float Parade
RATING: FALSE
THE FACTS: There were 24 listed participants in the Panagbenga Floral Float Parade on February 26, 2023. Some were as huge as a ten-wheeler truck while some were as small as an Elf truck. But none can deny the patience and artistry that went into them.
Panagbenga rules stated that only fresh flowers can be used in the floats. Some made do with the Benguet cutflowers while some even imported the flowers used in their floats. The costs run from tens of thousands to almost a million pesos. Some are vying for the prizes while some are already hall-of-famers and would just showcase their creativity and artistry.
One controversial float was a black box with fresh sunflowers pasted on its side. On the front was a huge tarp of Darryl Yap’s “Martyr or Murderer” movie.
It is still to be shown but it is already wallowing in controversy because it seeks to revise history by convincing people to think that Ninoy Aquino may not be a martyr but a murderer.
The float’s entry surprised a lot and some even booed its presence despite three of the actors who were aboard the float.
As it turned out, it wasn’t part of the official roster. The list was furnished to some of the media including Baguio Chronicle and indeed, there was no mention of the mysterious float.
In her talk after the Panagbenga event, Sen. Imee Marcos said that she indeed funded the float. Sen. Marcos is said to have bankrolled Yap’s movie as well as his first one, Maid in Malacanang.
It is not known yet if the Panagbenga organizers will ask for an investigation on who allowed the entry of the “MOM” float as it had explicitly mentioned in the past that there should be no politics allowed in the parades.
WHY WE FACT-CHECKED THIS: It is our duty to make the Panagbenga organizers honest in their vision. We hope they will not kowtow to politicians’ intentions and proceed with the inquiry.
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