City of Manila issues guidelines on Edsa People Power rallies

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna (Arnel Tacson, INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna on Monday said a “no permit, no rally” policy will be implemented on the Edsa People Power anniversary on February 25.

Lacuna said groups may hold their rallies in designated areas where permits are not necessary.

“Ang atin pong people’s park ang freedom park po natin ay laging bukas, kapag wala talaga kayong na-secure na permit, hindi talaga kayong maaari doon sa kung saan niyo gusto lugar,” Lacuna told reporters in a chance interview.

(Our People’s Park, our Freedom Park, are always open. If you haven’t secured a permit, you really cannot just hold it in any location you want.)

“Meron naman tayong tinatalagang lugar sa Maynila, at I guess sa iba ring lungsod, meron pong specific na lugar kung saan maaari silang mag-rally na hindi nila kailangan ng permit,” she added.

(We already have designated areas in Manila, and I believe in other cities as well, where they can hold rallies without needing a permit.)

Lacuna also said that her office has yet to receive any applications for a rally permit.

Lacuna assured the public that the city government will do what it can to ensure that all rallies held in the city will be peaceful and orderly.

Permits not required under law

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in a statement, however, said the policy has no legal basis.

“Walang nakasaad sa anumang batas na ‘no permit no rally.’ Isang karapatan ang magprotesta nang mapayapa. Anibersaryo ng people power pero panunupil sa people power ang nais nila?” said Bayan president Renato Reyes Jr.

(There is no provision in any law on the ‘no permit, no rally.’ Peaceful protest is a right. On the anniversary of the People Power, are they advocating suppression of people power?)

Reyes said that no individual can be arrested or forcefully dispersed for participating in a peaceful protest.

Reyes said Bayan will challenge Manila’s “repressive policy” as it “violates freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.”