MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he wanted Congress to pass a law that would require establishments across the country to close by midnight.
“Everything closes down at 12, nobody works. You have to stop drinking. Jukebox, only good up to 8-9 p.m.,” Duterte said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the House of Representatives on Monday.
In an interview with reporters after his Sona, the President clarified that what he said was just a suggestion.
“No, no. I was just suggesting. I’d like to – Congress to ponder on it and maybe sleep on it and if they want. But it can improve tremendously the quality of life. Stop drinking at almost 11 (p.m.) then you go home,” he told reporters.
He also admitted that his proposal might not be a “popular move.”
“I do not think it is a popular move because it will affect adversely the businesses that operate during nighttime,” he told reporters.
He then cited his hometown Davao City, which has a curfew for business establishments.
“But for a small city like Davao, parang nagustuhan na kasi ng mga tao. But in other countries, other states, 12 o’ clock ang ano, sarado,” he said. /kga