ILOILO City – Thirty minutes after the two-day liquor ban commenced at 12:01 a.m. on May 13, a 24-year-old man was caught on a drinking binge at the gymnasium of Barangay Kinagdan in Igbaras, Iloilo.
Colen Eraldo was taken to the Igbaras police station at around 12:30 a.m.
He was spotted by policemen drinking beer, according to Inspector Oman Bryndel Estabillo, Igbaras police chief.
Under the Commission on Elections-imposed liquor ban, no one is allowed to sell or buy alcoholic beverages starting 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, eve of the May 14 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Drinking liquor in public, too, is prohibited.
Establillo said two hours before the start of the liquor ban, his policemen went roaming around informing Igbrasnons about it. Eraldo, however, chose to ignore the warning.
The liquor ban ended at midnight last night.
According to Atty. Tomas Valera, Commission on Elections assistant regional director, only establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) such as hotels and restaurants were exempted from the liquor ban.
“Of course, these DOT-accredited establishments must apply for an exemption from Comelec,” he said.
Still, these accredited establishments were barred from dispensing liquor to Philippine residents; only foreigners were allowed to buy and consume liquor.
Violating the liquor ban is an election office. Valera said the violator – the seller and buyer, and even those caught drinking liquor in public – may be imprisoned for up to six years./PN
