Palace awaiting DOH's recommendation on keeping face masks
Malacañang said it is waiting for the Department of Health's (DOH) comment on whether or not to keep the policy requiring the public to wear face masks amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said this after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issued an executive order making the wearing of face masks in open spaces "non-obligatory" in the city.
In her press briefing, Angeles said the Palace respects the mandate of local chief executives over their jurisdiction, but President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has no comment on the issue yet.
"We respect the mandate of local governments over their own jurisdictions," she said.
"The President has no reaction to this as of yet," she added.
According to Angeles, the Palace will issue a statement after hearing the comment of the DOH on the issue.
"It may be taken under advisement. Although, we do respect the mandate of local governments over their own jurisdictions. If this is brought up, then we will make such an announcement," she said.
"We're also waiting for the reaction of the DOH on this one. So without all of that information coming in, there will be no statement yet," she added.
The government's pandemic task force has yet to decide on the face mask requirement that has been in effect in the country since the pandemic hit in March 2020.
President Marcos has urged the public to get vaccinated against Covid-19 so the country could get closer to becoming "maskless."