MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III wants a thorough study of the proposed liquor ban and closure of establishments and bars nationwide by midnight.
Sotto pointed out that the proposal could be considered in certain areas but not nationwide.
“Kailangang pag-aralan munang mabuti papaanong gagawin sapagkat baka mag-impose tayo kaagad ng national e baka.. Mas maganda siguro mag local muna, mga local ordinances (We have to study the proposal thoroughly, it would be better to start at the local level through ordinances),” he said in an interview over DZMM on Tuesday.
“Tingnan muna natin kung ano yung magiging mga advantages, disadvantages nito. Baka lolokohin lang tayo nung mga bar e, sabihin sarado sila. Parang yung curfew noong araw, e sarado daw sila pero punong-puno yung loob (We have to consider the advantages and disadvantages. Bar owners might deceive us like what happened before, where they claimed the establishment is closed but is packed with clients inside),” he pointed.
Sotto, however, did not rule it out completely when told that the same is already being enforced in some countries.
“E kung magandang pilot project yung Davao e siyempre magandang mapag-aralan natin baka nga pwedeng nationwide,” Sotto later said.
Davao is the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte, who proposed the liquor ban and closure of establishments by midnight during his State of the Nation Address on Monday.
“Everything closes down at 12, nobody works. You have to stop drinking. Jukebox, only good up to 8-9 p.m.,” the President said.
In an interview later, Duterte said it was just a suggestion and it would still be up to Congress to study it.
“But it can improve tremendously the quality of life. Stop drinking at almost 11 (p.m.) then you go home,” the President said. /gsg
READ: Duterte wants PH establishments closed by midnight