Liquor ban starts May 9

Foreign tourists in DOT-accredited hotels exempted

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will implement a five-day liquor ban starting this Thursday (May 9) until election day, next Monday (May 13).

Cebu Provincial Comelec Supervisor Eddie Aba said yesterday that the ban would include all intoxicating substances or beverages including “tuba” or coconut wine, a common beverage in the country.

Aba was referring to Comelec Resolution 9582 which prohibits any person including owners and managers of hotels and establishments to sell, offer, buy, serve, or take intoxicating liquor anywhere in the Philippines especially in public places five days before election day.

Violation of the liquor ban is an election offense and punishable by imprisonment of less than one year but not more than six years. The violator will also be disqualified from holding public office and will lose his right to vote.

“The prohibition should help prevent alcohol-induced crimes and incidents during preparations for the local and national elections,” Aba said.

Aba, however, said that Department of Tourism-certified hotels and establishments serving foreign tourists might be exempted from the ban provided these hotels and establishments secure prior written authority upon showing their justifiable reasons for their exemption.

“Only foreign tourists taking liquor in authorized hotels or establishments can be exempted from the ban” he said./Correspondent Renan Alangilan