A social media post of the Youth and Sports Development Division of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iloilo City reportedly went viral. 

The post announced of 22 sports events for the Dinagyang Festival 2026, 14 of which bear the name of Mayor Raisa Treñas. 

The post stirred various reactions from netizens. Residents expressed either approval or dismay.

Eugene Sapanta, a resident, said he is dismayed at the deemed mix of political branding in what is supposedly a religious event.

“Dapat isantabi nila ang kanilang pangalan sa mga sports event. Hindi nababagay, iba na ang tingin ng tao. Ang focus is religious at Dinagyang,” Sapanta said.

Another resident identified as Joshua Pajanoy pointed out that the event should not carry a person's name as the Dinagyang does not only belong to one person. 

“Hindi naman 'yan kay Mayor Raisa. Syempre kasi Dinagyang ‘yan,” Pajanoy said.

Meanwhile, Gearnell Matthew Bermejo, a student, said that there is no harm in tagging the mayor’s name to a sports event of the city, being its local chief executive.

“Para naman ‘yan sa Lungsod ng Iloilo na ma-promote ni mayor ang sports,” Bermejo pointed out.

According to the LGU, the branding is a choice of private organizers, and that the mayor reportedly does not know about it.

Naming events after city mayors has been done for quite a time reportedly.

“Sa isinubmit nilang mga letter, dito ‘yan nakalagay ang name ng organizers at ang title ng event na ilalagay. Upang maka-garner ng mga participants lalo na sa national,” Rudiver Jungco Sr., head of the Youth and Sports Development Division of Iloilo City, pointed out.

Jungco also clarified as to why he removed his post.

“Dinelete (delete) kasi inaamin ko na may error ang aking IT. Dinelete ko na lang kasi parang hindi maganda ang reaction ng public. Ang aking plano, hindi na ako mag-post ulit,” Jungco said.

He added that the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. will take charge on the final name of the sporting events and corresponding announcements on social media.