KALUNASAN, Cebu City Barangay Captain Nunilon Monares is in hot water after he was caught drinking cold beer and violating the curfew on Sunday night, March 22, 2020.
Mayor Edgardo Labella and P/Col. Hector Grijaldo, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), ordered an investigation on Monares, whose drinking session was captured on a video that went viral online.
Grijaldo said public officials do not wield powers to violate the law.
“All of us are under the law,” said Grijaldo.
The Abellana Police Station roving team tried to arrest Monares, but he escaped and hid inside the house of his girlfriend.
Labella prohibited selling of liquor and drinking in public places, and imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. after placing the city under general community quarantine last March 16, a move aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.
Monares was reportedly drinking outside the house of his girlfriend in Barangay Kamputhaw. The village official is set to address the issue in a press conference Tuesday, March 24. In the video, Monares was seen trying to reason with the police officers, telling them that he was drinking just outside the gate of his girlfriend’s house.
Labella and Grijaldo said no one is above the law.
“The government officials should be the role models in following the laws,” said Grijaldo in a mix of Tagalog and English.
Labella said the public officials who violate the curfew and liquor ban will be penalized and will face administrative complaints.
“They are supposed to be covered under the accountability of public office provision that the public office is a public trust, and as public officials, they should set the example and lead by example by following the regulations,” said Labella in a mix of English and Cebuano. The mayor further said, “How could we expect our constituency to follow rules if those in government are the first ones to violate it?” (AYB, JJL & BBL)