Present IDs first

Acting Mayor Paolo Duterte pushes proposal to amend city ordinance on buying cigarettes and alcoholic beverages

DAVAO City Acting Mayor Paolo “Pulong” Z. Duterte yesterday said the 17th City Council will pursue with the proposal to require buyers of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages to present their IDs, reminding the public that falsification of documents is a crime.

“Dili namo na pwede pugngan kay para na sa kaayohan sa tanan (We will not withdraw that because it is for the good of everybody),” Duterte said in a press conference yesterday morning.

Councilor Tomas Monteverde IV said the committee on rules, privileges and ordinances will conduct its first committee hearing on the amendment today, at around 2 p.m. at the SP Building.

He also said that he learned about the statement of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is now on leave, suggesting that education is the best way to solve the dilemma on consumption of liquor and cigarette smoking among minors.

“Wala may mali atong nasulti ni Mayor (There’s no wrong in what the mayor said),” he said.

But Monteverde said the public, especially the young people, must be reminded that carrying fake documents is prohibited under the law.

“Kung kana sundon sa kabataan, pahibal-on nato sila daan nga that is falsifying public documents (If the minors do such, that is falsification of public documents),” Duterte said.

The elder Duterte on Sunday suggested that only education can stop young people from consuming alcoholic beverages and using tobacco products since any minor can fake any document.

The 17th City Council is crafting an amendment to an ordinance requiring buyers of cigarettes and liquors to present IDs.

Anyone who violates the proposed ordinance will be required to pay the fine of P10,000 or be imprisoned for 10 days for first offense; pay P30,000 or be imprisoned for 20 days for second offense; and pay P50,000 or be jailed for 30 days for third offense. ANC