NAARRO V VILLEGAS GR NO.

L-31687

February 26, 1970

FACTS:

The petitioner applied for a permit to conduct assembly in Plaza Miranda during weekdays which
the respondent Mayor denied but instead offered the Sunken Gardens as alternative. According to Mayor
Villegas, a public rally in Plaza Miranda poses a clearer and more present danger of public disorders,
breaches of the peace, criminal acts and even bloodshed as an aftermath, as compared to the Sunken
Garden. And that the City does not have any means to prevent the said disorders.

ISSUE:

Whether or not the respondent Mayor violated Article 131 in not giving the petition to hold assembly in
Plaza Miranda.

HELD:

Respondent Mayor possesses reasonable discretion to determine or specify the streets of public places to
be used for the assembly in order to secure convenient use thereof by others and provide adequate and
proper policing to minimize the risks of disorder and maintain public safety and order; Respondent Mayor
has expressly stated his willingness to grant permits for peaceful assemblies at Plaza Miranda during
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays when they would not cause unnecessary great disruptions on the normal
activities of the community and has further offered Sunken Gardens as an alternative to Plaza Miranda.