Comelec rejects 45-day liquor ban

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) rejected the bid of the Metro Manila Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to extend the poll liquor ban from the present two days to one and a half months.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, however, said they decided to expand the ban to five days because the “heat of the campaign” is normally observed in this period.

“Forty five days is just too long. There will be an adverse reaction from the liquor manufacturers,” he said Wednesday.

In a three-page minute resolution, the poll body decided that the ban on liquor buying, selling, and intake will be running from May 9 to 13.

“The Commission, after due deliberation, resolves to extend the period of the Liquor Ban from two days to five days. Thus, the Liquor Ban shall be in force and effect effective May 9 (Thursday) to May 13 (Monday, Election Day),” said Minute Resolution 13-0322.

Brillantes, along with Commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Elias Yusoph, and Grace Padaca all voted for the resolution while Commissioner Christian Lim dissented.

The Omnibus Election Code provides that it is unlawful for any person “who sells, furnishes, offers, buys, serves or takes intoxicating liquor” on the day before the election (May 12) or on Election Day (May 13).

Exempted from the ban are hotels and other establishments duly certified by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as “tourist-oriented and habitually in the business of catering to foreign tourists” but only upon securing prior authority from the commission. (HDT/Sunnex)