MANILA Mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso yesterday reiterated his directive to the Manila Police District not to ask his presidential rivals for permit to hold campaign rallies in the city.
Moreno the issued the reminder in a command conference attended by MPD station commanders, Police Community Precinct commanders, and chiefs of operating units to discuss the overall peace and order situation in the city.
The campaign season is expected to further heat up with less than a month before the May 9 local and national elections.
“Sa Manila walang permit sa rally. Kaya hindi niyo sila kailangang hingan ng permit. Hayaan niyo silang mangampanya dito sa Maynila (In Manila there is no need for permit to stage a rally. That is why there is no need for you to ask them for permit. Let them campaign here in Manila),” Moreno told the police officers.
However, Moreno said this would only be for political rallies, adding that organizers of other forms of mass gatherings need to get a permit from the local government unit.
“Yung alam nating rally na nagdi-distorbo ng naghahanap buhay, they need to get the permit pero kapag political rallies, hayaan niyo sila. Kaya wag kayong maghanap ng mga permit permit pag mga political rallies (Those rallies that disrupt business, they need to get permits but for political rallies, allow them. Don’t ask them for permits),” he said.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said the decision to grant or deny rally permits is with the concerned local government unit, and not the Philippine National Police.
Section 6 (a) of Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985 states that “it shall be the duty of the mayor or any official acting in his behalf to issue or grant a permit unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the public assembly will create a clear and present danger to public order, public safety, public convenience, public morals or public health.”
If a gathering or motorcade would affect national highways in the metropolis, organizers must also get a permit from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
