No more alcoholic drinks starting Thursday—Comelec

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Alcoholic beverages are banned beginning Thursday, May 9, four days ahead of the midterm elections.

Resolution 9582 of the Commission on Elections says that “it shall be unlawful for any person, including owners and managers of hotels and establishments to sell, furnish, offer, buy, serve, or take intoxicating liquor anywhere in the Philippines.”

The Comelec extended the ban to five days after Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino told the poll body in January  that the two-day ban was “inadequate in addressing the evils and problems related to the taking of intoxicating drinks” during the election period.

“The unfettered consumption of alcoholic beverages nationwide especially during this period does not aid in the intelligent discussion of election issues by our citizens,” Tolentino said.

But the Comelec exempts from the liquor ban hotels and other establishments certified by the Department of Tourism as long as they “secure prior written authority.”

“Only foreign tourists taking intoxicating liquor in said authorized hotels or establishments are exempted from the prohibition,” it adds.

The punishment for violating the liquor ban will be imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right of suffrage.