MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang clarified Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte only wanted a liquor ban on certain hours and not the closure of establishments by midnight.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, Duterte urged Congress to pass a law that would require midnight curfew for establishments nationwide.
READ: Duterte wants PH establishments closed by midnight
Sought for clarification during a Palace briefing, Panelo said Duterte’s proposal was merely meant to impose a “liquor ban” across the country.
According to the Palace official, Duterte wanted to replicate nationwide the ordinance being implemented in Davao City where drinking liquor is only up to 1 a.m.
Davao City is the hometown of the President.
Speaking to reporters after his Sona, Duterte 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.
In a post-Sona press briefing earlier Tuesday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said a city or municipality ordinance would suffice to enforce the liquor ban that the President wanted. /kga