Mati City Government Issues Clarification on Unauthorized Mister Teen Philippines Screening
The City Government of Mati made a formal announcement on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, stating that the "Go See / Official Screening" event for Mister Teen Philippines 2026 is completely unauthorized and lacks any endorsement from the local government unit. This clarification came in response to promotional materials circulating online that suggested official involvement.
LGU Emphasizes Lack of Authorization and Coordination
In a detailed statement, the local government unit explicitly declared that the event "is NOT sanctioned, authorized, nor endorsed" by city officials. The LGU highlighted that they were not consulted, informed, or coordinated with regarding the organization, promotion, or conduct of the screening. This lack of communication led to the strong disavowal of any perceived association.
Officials urged the public to exercise extreme caution when considering participation in such events. They reiterated the LGU's unwavering commitment to protecting citizens and maintaining the integrity of government institutions. The city government also criticized specific promotional captions that claimed, "Are you ready to be the FIRST to represent Mati City and Davao Oriental on the National Stage," labeling this as a "gross misrepresentation" of the LGU's involvement.
Directives Issued to Address Misinformation
The government issued clear instructions for organizers to immediately remove, retract, or correct all materials that implied LGU participation. Additionally, the concerned barangay council was directed to take necessary actions to address and rectify the spread of misinformation within the community. These steps aim to prevent further confusion and ensure transparency.
Organizer's Response and Clarification
Acting Director of Mister Teen Philippines 2026, Coach Flo Santiaga Jr., responded to the city's statement by clarifying that the screening is a private, independent initiative designed to identify potential national representatives. He emphasized that it is not a city-organized or LGU-sponsored event. Santiaga mentioned that he had communicated with City Councilor Paolo Rabat and others in an effort to support Mati's youth, but stressed that the screening does not require prior LGU endorsement.
He explained that once a candidate is selected through this process, formal coordination or endorsement from the city government would be sought at that stage. Santiaga underscored that the initiative aims to showcase local talent and is protected under the freedom of expression and lawful pursuit of opportunities as outlined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. He expressed openness to "respectful collaboration" with the LGU to ultimately benefit Mati City and its residents.
