CEBU CITY – The Sinulog Foundation, Inc. (SFI) Friday said it is prohibiting candidates running in the May 2010 elections from exploiting the Sinulog Grand Parade as a venue for campaigning as at least two million revelers are expected to gather in this city to witness the Mardi Gras.

SFI executive director Ricky Ballesteros said they have also coordinated with the police to stop supporters or aides of candidates from distributing leaflets promoting their political bid.

“We have already coordinated with the police to ensure that the Sinulog parade will not be marred with politics,” Ballesteros said.

The annual Sinulog Grand Parade, where millions of Cebuanos and local and foreign tourists as well as balikbayans dot the major thoroughfares here to watch the colorful contingents show off their dance numbers, has always been a strategic occasion for campaigning every election period, Ballesteros said.

The SFI executive director, however, said that supporters or aides of candidates caught in the act of handing out campaign materials will simply be asked by the police to stop the distribution of leaflets.

Only City Mayor Tomas Osmeña as honorary chairman, and City Vice Mayor Michael Rama as chairman of the board of the SFI, are allowed to deliver a speech during the program at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), according to Ballesteros.

Osmeña earlier said he would not allow any politician to speak during the program except President Arroyo in case she decides to pay a visit as he did not want the event to be smeared with political color.

The Sinulog Festival will launch this Friday with a solemn mass at the Basilica del Sto. Niño and a parade featuring the contingents from the Sinulog sa Kabataan and the Miss Cebu contestants riding the “tartanillas” from the church to the CCSC then to Fuente Osmeña for the launching program.