ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Iloilo City has started accepting applications for the grant of exemptions to the liquor ban set for May 11 and 12 in relation to the national and local elections.
According to Jonathan Sayno, Election Assistant II at Comelec-Iloilo City, the office is now receiving applications from hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other similar establishments located within the city that wish to be exempted from the liquor ban.
“They just need to visit our office and submit the necessary requirements to qualify for the exemption,” Sayno told Panay News.
The liquor ban is based on Sections 1 to 6 of Comelec Resolution 11057, which states that it is unlawful for any person, including owners and managers of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and similar establishments, to sell, furnish, offer, buy, serve, or consume alcoholic beverages during this period.
However, exemptions are allowed under specific conditions.
“Hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other similar establishments certified by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as tourist-oriented and regularly catering to foreign tourists may be exempt from the liquor ban, provided they secure prior written approval from the designated officers,” Sayno explained.
He clarified that only foreign tourists consuming alcoholic beverages in these authorized establishments are exempted from the ban.
Where to Apply for Exemption
Applications for exemption, along with supporting documents, must be filed with the following:
* Provincial Election Supervisors for establishments in municipalities within their respective provinces.
* City Election Officers for those located within their respective cities or districts.
The deadline for submission of applications is May 5. Applications will be accepted Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.
Requests submitted after 5 p.m. will be considered filed at 8 a.m. on the next working day.
Requirements for Exemption
To be granted an exemption, establishments must comply with the following:
* a sworn application for exemption, which includes a statement confirming that the operator or owner has not been convicted of an election offense
* a certification from the DOT stating that the establishment is tourist-oriented and regularly serves foreign tourists
* a valid business permit issued by the local government unit (LGU) where the establishment is located, valid until the end of the liquor ban
* a valid tax clearance issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), also valid until the end of the liquor ban
Comelec warns that applications based on non-existent or unjustifiable reasons, misrepresentation, or falsified documents will be denied./PN
