DOJ chief says IATF resolutions prevail over LGU orders

FILE PHOTO: DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The resolutions of the government’s pandemic task force prevail over executive orders issued by local government units, according to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday.

The DOJ chief’s statement comes amid a conflict that stemmed from the directive of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia that makes the wearing of face masks outdoors “optional” in the province.

This developed despite a resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) requiring mandatory use of face masks whether indoor or outdoor to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“The IATF resolutions on the mandatory wearing of face masks, whether indoor or outdoor, are incorporated in and/or enabled by executive orders issued by the President,” Guevarra explained to reporters.

In Garcia’s EO No. 16, face masks will only be required in closed or air-conditioned spaces.

READ: It’s mask off in ‘open, outdoor’ spaces in Cebu

But Guevarra said: “As between an executive order issued by the President, as manifested in resolutions issued by the IATF composed of cabinet secretaries who are the alter egos of the President, on one hand, and executive orders issued by local government units, on the other hand, the former shall prevail, as the President exercises general supervision over local governments pursuant to Section 4, Article X, of the Philippine Constitution.”

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