Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 7) Cebu City is investigating two separate mass gatherings held over the weekend for alleged breach of health protocols.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ New Day on Monday, Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella said the city government will look into a mass gathering on Sunday at a local hotel to support calls for Presidential daughter Sara Duterte’s election run.
Some pictures seen on Facebook show a crowd of attendees at a so-called “Du30 Pa Rin” movement launched at the Radisson Blu Cebu hotel, urging the Davao City mayor to run for president during next year’s polls.
“This will also be looked into because there is a specific order from the President prohibiting mass gathering,” Labella said. “This is one of those that will be taken up by the business permits section.”
He said the city government’s business permit and licensing office also issued a show-cause order to the management of a bar located in Barangay Kasambagan after a video circulated on social media showing large crowds at the venue.
WATCH: A netizen raises concern over what could be violations of health protocols at a bar along Gov. Cuenco Ave., Brgy. Kasambagan, Cebu City.
Local media there reports the Cebu City Hall has already asked the bar management to explain the incident | @jmnualla
@znjmrypic.twitter.com/y1Rm9ulve9
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) June 6, 2021
Labella said crowds were probably seen due to the rain. However, the bar allegedly failed to reduce its 250-capacity to 50%, as guests reportedly reached 200 on Saturday night.
“When it rains, it pours, so people were jampacked to the portion where there is roof so I think that is the reason why there was a violation of the mass gathering. But we will look into it because in the first place, they were not supposed to accommodate more than 50% while we are on MGCQ (modified general community quarantine),” he said.
Cebu City is currently under a more relaxed MGCQ status. Labella said people are still urged to follow the standard health protocols to prevent COVID-19 transmission.