Comelec mulls scrapping of expanded liquor ban

MANILA, Philippines – After the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) resolution expanding the liquor ban was stopped by the Supreme Court (SC) Wednesday, Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said that he was mulling scrapping it altogether.

The SC issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Comelec Resolution 9582, or the rules and regulations on the liquor ban, a day before its enforcement.

“We will no longer give our comment, in fact we might recall the resolution,” Brillantes told reporters during an ambush interview in the SC.

“It’s not really that important because the law really requires for two days only. We wanted to expand it [but] if the SC feels that it [is wrong] by issuing a TRO then it’s okay,” he said.

Section 2 of Comelec Resolution 9582 states that “the liquor ban shall be in force and effect on the day before the election (May 12) and on Election Day (May 13).”

However, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino had written a letter to the Comelec last January requesting to extend the liquor ban.

Comelec Minute Resolution 13-0322 approved Tolentino’s request and extended the liquor ban to five days before the Election Day. It’s supposed to start on May 9.

Brillantes said that the extended liquor ban was issued early so that the SC can comment on it.

“Were not pushing that hard for the liquor ban,” Brillantes said.

“If we will withdraw the resolution or recall it then there is no need for us to comment [on the TRO],” he said.