Liquor ban violators risk store closure

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña threatens to close for six months all stores caught violating the liquor ban along the Sinulog route.

In his press conference yesterday, the mayor announced that he will not accept an explanation for as long as there is evidence against the management of the stores, hotels, among others.

“Now, any store that will be selling liquor, liquor prohibited along the route we will close for six months. So, don’t give excuses anymore, mihatag nako og fair warning,” he said.

Osmeña added the liquor ban is needed in maintaining peace and order because there’s an impending threat.

He said his pronouncements to the media will serve as the warning to all establishments along the Sinulog route.

“I’m not interested in the fine, I’m interested in maintaining order. And in order to maintain order, there has to be an element of fear. I don’t want anyone to be punished basta I’m just telling them basta if you get caught we’ll close you for six months,” he said.

Under the draft executive order, establishments along the Sinulog route will be totally prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages whether inside or outside their establishments on January 21.

Further, there is also an entertainment ban that will be implemented within the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog parade and procession route on Jan. 19, 20 and 21.

Osmeña has decided to impose this policy after observing that the crowd during Sinulog becomes rowdy after taking alcoholic beverages at street parties.

For the monitoring of the implementation of his executive order, the mayor said police officers will be asked to roam around every now and then to check these establishments.

Osmeña said the city government and police officers will monitor the establishments along the route and it will be ordered closed if there’s an “eyewitness” who can prove that a certain establishment has violated the executive order.

The liquor ban will take effect on the third Sunday of January for the Sinulog festivity, he said.

As of now, he said he is still finalizing the content of the executive order that will be released before the year ends.

“You’re not allowed even serve your customers, and if you’re in a hotel, not even room service,” he said.

Even those sari-sari store owners will be prohibited from selling liquors, he added.

Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, will be the one to finalize the executive order before Osmeña will sign the document.