QC gov’t denies permit for Leni-Kiko thanksgiving event

Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan will meet their supporters in a thanksgiving event at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City today, May 13.

Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez said they will hold the “Tayo ang Liwanag: Isang Pasasalamat” in Ateneo instead of the original venue at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

“Magbabago ang venue ng ating thanksgiving gathering bukas, Biyernes, ika-13 ng Mayo 2022, alas-5 ng hapon (The venue of our thanksgiving gathering tomorrow, Friday, May 13, 2022, at 5 p.m. will change),” he announced on Twitter.

“Mangyayari ang ating pagtitipon sa Ateneo de Manila University campus (The gathering will be held at Ateneo de Manila University campus),” Gutierrez said.

Organizers decided to transfer the venue of the thanksgiving event for Leni-Kiko supporters after the Quezon City local government denied their application for a permit to use the Quezon Memorial Circle.

In an advisory, the Quezon City government said the circle was “not an ideal venue” for the planned gathering because of the heavy traffic it may cause.

“The presence of an enormous crowd (without the benefit of a previously arranged crowd control plan) on a weekday would cause massive traffic jams, countless stranded commuters, and a significant risk to overall public safety,” it explained.

The decision came following an “extensive dialogue” between the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (QC-DPOS) and the event organizers.

“Bagamat ikinalulungkot namin ito, iginagalang namin ang pasya ng lokal na pamahalaan (While we are saddened by this, we respect the decision of the local government),” Gutierrez said.