CEBU City Attorney Joseph Bernaldez said it is up to the executive department to impose additional sanctions on the owner of Bakak Resto Bar for serving liquor to students under 21 years old during class hours.

Bakak Resto Bar was ordered closed last Oct. 5 by then Acting Mayor Michael Rama for operating without a business permit and a special permit to sell and serve liquor within a 100-meter radius from schools.

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It became controversial after a drinking binge among friends resulted in a conflict that dragged the name of Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s son Miguel into allegations of harassment.

Miguel was accused of sending threatening messages to Samantha Benitez and shooting her camera with a gun, allegedly because she left his girlfriend to pass out at the bar.

Miguel denied the allegation, with the mayor saying he would resign if it is proven.

Bakak reopened last Nov. 12 after City Councilor Gerardo Carillo reportedly notified the owner, Ricky Aznar, that the mayor has already authorized their reopening.

Carillo said the mayor gave the go-signal for Bakak to reopen, provided its owners comply with all requirements under the Liquor Ordinance, and they make sure that illegal drugs don’t circulate in the bar.

Agreed

The mayor the other day said that while he agreed for the establishment to reopen, it was still not allowed to sell liquor, particularly to minors.

He ordered it closed “permanently” because the management “doesn’t know how to follow instructions.”

“Depende na sa discretion sa mayor…. Dili man pud basta-basta ta maka-recommend og sanctions kung dili mohatag instructions and executive department. Sa ordinansa naa na man na diha.

Mag-agad lang ta unsay instruction ni mayor,” Bernaldez told Sun.Star Cebu.

City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva said she could only impose a P5,000 fine on the owners.

The mayor, she said, could institute a more severe punishment, like refusing to grant the establishment a business permit.

Business permit

Bakak, located across the University of San Carlos law and management building, still has no business permit and a special permit to sell and serve liquor.

An inspection team from the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) visited the bar Wednesday night and learned that the establishment has also expanded its bar and has become more noisy at night.

Oliva said she will consult Bernaldez on what other penalties could be imposed on Bakak.

Asked if he will impose more sanctions on the resto bar, the mayor said “it is already closed.”