MANILA, Philippines – City ordinances on curfews are immediately enforceable if there are no prescribed penalties for violators, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Sunday. Several cities have crafted their respective policies with regards to the implementation of a curfew in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. “But if no penalty is imposed for violation of the curfew, the ordinance may take effect immediately upon publication,” he added. According to Guevarra, local government units which have existing ordinances about imposing curfews during a state of emergency can easily implement it, but a proclamation or an ordinance is highly encouraged if a city has none. “It is well and good if an ordinance already exists authorizing the imposition of curfews whenever a state of emergency arises,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 15, 2020 11:15 UTC