Cebu governor: 'You may or you may not wear masks in public places, gets?'
CEBU CITY – Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia seemed to have thrown a shade at the critics of her order that made the wearing of face masks in open spaces in Cebu optional.
In a Facebook post Sunday, June 12, Independence Day, Garcia asserted the meaning of her Executive Order No. 16 which lifted the mandatory wearing of face masks in open spaces or well-ventilated areas.
The lady governor’s post showed a photo of President Duterte shaking the hand of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan during the 124th Independence Day celebration at the Luneta Park in Manila last Sunday.
In the photo, the President was not wearing a face mask while exchanging pleasantries with Chan who was wearing a face mask at the time.

As of 12 noon Monday, June 13, her post has garnered 5,800 reactions, 22 comments, and 375 shares.
The provincial capitol’s media office confirmed that the Facebook account is owned and maintained by the lady governor.
Her EO became controversial after it drew mixed reactions from the public and some government officials.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) rejected Garcia’s EO and instructed the police to apprehend those who will be caught violating the face mask policy.
In defending her EO, Garcia said autonomy of local government units should be honored as she cited a section in the Local Government Code.
The chiefs of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) and the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CCPO) had different stands on the issue.
Police Brig. Gen. Roque Eduardo Vega, PRO 7 chief, said the police in Central Visayas will comply with DILG directives to enforce the face mask policy.
On the other hand, Police Col. Engelbert Soriano, chief of CPPO, said the Cebu police recognize the governor’s EO “unless it is later on invalidated by proper authority.”