The Manila Local Government Unit (LGU) now requires individuals or organizations planning to hold events in the city to obtain a special permit from the Office of the City Legal Officer.

According to a memorandum dated January 20, individuals and organizations must obtain the special permit at least three days before any scheduled activities.

"In compliance with Section 132, Article J, Chapter III, City Ordinance No. 8331, all administrators of all malls and establishments holding special events in the City of Manila are hereby instructed to ensure that individuals or organizations intending to hold events within their premises other than those for which their business permits were issueed SHALL secure a SPECIAL PERMIT from the Office of the City Legal Officer pursuant to Executive Order No. 12 Series of 2022, three days prior to the conduct of any activities thereat," the Memorandum read

Additionally, the following guidelines and rules must be followed for special events and activities, alongside their respective policies, to ensure legal compliance:

• Any event, program, or activity held within said premises, whether public or private must obtain a Special Permit before the Office of the City Legal Officer.
• Applicants must present before the mall administrator an approved Special Permit before the activity is allowed to proceed.
• The mall administrators are tasked to inform all event organizers about the requirement for a special permit, as well as verify the existence of the approved special permit before granting final approval for the use of mall spaces.
• Non-compliance with the directives stated herein or provision of City Ordinance No. 8331 may result in penalties and appropriate actions from the City Government of Manila

Meanwhile, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas - Manila chapter has described the new requirement as an unconstitutional restriction imposed by the Lacuna administration.

In an official statement, the group strongly condemned the directive issued by the administration of Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, which mandates the acquisition of special permits before holding any events or gatherings.

"This directive constitutes an unconstitutional encroachment on the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. It is an overboard and vague regulation that imposes unlawful prior restraint, a form of censorship that creates a chilling effect on the people's right to freely assemble and express themselves. Furthermore, it represents an arbitrary intrusion into private affairs, violating the right to privacy," the group stated.

Furthermore, the group stated that the right to gather and hold private events is not a privilege, but a fundamental freedom that should not be restricted by "sweeping and oppressive regulations."

"The City of Manila must not be reduced to an authoritarian enclave where excessive government control tramples upon civil liberties," the group mentioned.

"We stand for a lawful, just, and democratic city - where right are protected, not suppressed," they added in closing.

BASAHIN: Mariing kinundena ng Partido Federal ng Pilipinas ang kautusan ni Manila Mayor @DraHoneyLacuna na kailangan munang kumuha ng special permit bago magsagawa ng mga pribadong pagtitipon. | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/No4EfIV7pp

— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 3, 2025