Officials of the Manila City Hall are taking a firm stance against misinformation surrounding the recent memorandum on special permits, and clarified that it is a matter of public safety and law and not politics.
“Walang lugar ang disinformation sa ating lungsod. Ang tanging layunin namin ay ang protektahan ang bawat Manileño (There is no place for disinformation in our city. Our only goal is to protect every Manileño),” the local government said in an official statement issued on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
The city government reaffirmed that the special permit process is governed by clear legal guidelines and not by political maneuvering.
The clarification comes in response to misleading claims from the Manila Chapter of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas regarding a memorandum dated January 20, 2025 which was signed by City Legal Officer Atty. Veronica Lladoc.
The city emphasized that the memorandum is a straightforward reminder of existing regulations.
"Sa business permit, nakasaad ang specific purpose ng isang establisyimento. Kaya kung ang venue mo ay sinehan, dapat pang-sinehan ang mga aktibidad doon. Kung gagamitin ito sa ibang bagay, kailangan ng special permit dahil lagpas na ito sa saklaw ng orihinal na regular permit (A business permit outlines the specific purpose of an establishment. So, if your venue is a movie theater, the activities held there should be related to cinema. If it's to be used for something else, a special permit is required because it goes beyond the scope of the original business permit)," the city government explained.
The special permit process ensures these events are safe and properly coordinated, maintaining public order and safety.
“Walang bagong regulasyon dito. Ang special permit ay simpleng proseso na matagal nang umiiral (There is no new regulation here. The special permit is a simple process that has long been in place),” the statement read.
It pointed out that the policy has been in place since 2022 through City Ordinance No. 8331 and Executive Order No. 12, Series of 2022.
The Manila City Hall also noted that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) recently followed this same process when it used the SM Manila cinema for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) last October.
The Comelec applied for and received a special permit without any delays or complications, demonstrating the system's efficiency when the proper procedures are followed.
It said that without proper permits, events could lead to overcrowding, insufficient facilities, and even pose risks to fire safety and public health standards.
It also mentioned incidents that stressed the importance of adhering to these rules.
The statement highlighted a recent incident at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, which was initially permitted for a sports event but was later used for a political rally.
This led to severe overcrowding and resulted in the death of a senior citizen due to heatstroke.
The city government also cited a street bingo game organized by Councilor Apple Nieto where a child was hit by a vehicle.
Meanwhile, Manila City Hall officials were quick to address the political narrative being pushed by certain individuals and groups.
They urged Manileños to be cautious of misinformation and avoid being misled by political operators.
"Huwag magpaloko sa mga nagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon—ito ay pamumulitika, hindi katotohanan (Don't be deceived by those spreading misinformation—this is politicking and not the truth)," the statement said.
Lawyer Priscilla Marie Abante, chief of Manila's Public Information Office, emphasized that the administration will continue to stand against fake news and disinformation in all forms.