Liquor ban takes effect May 8 and 9

The liquor ban will be enforced on May 8 and 9, according to the Commission on Elections ( Comelec).

During this period, "it shall be unlawful for any person, including owners and managers of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments of the same nature to sell, furnish, offer, buy, serve, or take intoxicating liquor anywhere in the Philippines."

But Comelec said hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments of the same nature duly certified by the Department of Tourism as tourist- oriented and habitually in the business of catering to foreign tourists may be exempted from the liquor ban, provided, they secure prior written authority from the following: Regional Election Director of the National Capital Region for hotels, resorts, restaurants and other establishments located in NCR; Provincial Election Supervisors with respect to establishments located in the municipalities within their respective provinces; and City Election Officers with respect to those located within their respective cities or districts.

Only foreign tourists taking intoxicating liquor in said authorized hotels or establishments are exempted from the prohibition.

Exemptions may be granted only upon compliance with and submission of the following: request or application for exemption must be under oath and must contain a statement that the operator or owner of the hotel, resort, restaurant, or other establishment of the same nature have not been convicted of an election offense; a certification by the DOT stating that the requesting hotel, resort, restaurant or other establishment of the same nature is tourist- oriented and habitually in the business of catering to foreign tourists among others.

Violation of the liquor ban is an election offense, which carries a penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and disqualification from public office. ( With a report from Jun Aguirre)