IDFI belie reports on hoarding of Dinagyang tickets
Just when everyone at the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) is busy preparing for the highlights of Dinagyang Festival, City Councilor Eldrid Antiquiera wants to investigate the alleged "hoarding of 700 tickets" at the west wing of the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand. IDFI executive director Ben Jimena, however, denied the report.
In yesterday's press briefing, Jimena belied the report on the alleged hoarding of tickets at the west wing portion of the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand. He said it is impossible for the foundation to sell 700 tickets when the sitting capacity of the area is only good for 530 persons.
Jimena and former Councilor Ramon Cua-Locsin were among those called by Antiquiera in today's probe. Antiquiera wanted Jimena and Locsin to explain the alleged sale of 700 tickets to one person. Locsin is one of the board of directors of the foundation and is in-charge on the ticket sales.
The two have yet to receive any official invitation from the councilor, although Antiquiera already made several statements on the radio regarding the investigation. Jimena is not certain whether to attend the investigation or not since he has to attend more important matters related to the Dinagyang celebration.
Jimena explained, the foundation divided the 530 tickets between the City Tourism Office (CTO) and that of Locsin's office. The 300 tickets went to the tourism office and the remaining 230 tickets to Locsin. The number of tickets being in question is already inconsistent compared with the sitting capacity in the west wing portion of the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
When asked where the story emanated regarding the alleged hoarding of 700 tickets, Jimena quickly responded that the information came from "people and disgruntled group that could not accept the fact that everyone is equal."