By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) reported zero violations of the liquor ban during the May 2025 elections in Western Visayas.
This further bolsters the region’s clean record of no major election-related incidents.
PRO-6 spokesperson Lt. Col. Arnel Solis credited public awareness for the compliance.
“Our media and police efforts have been instrumental in raising public awareness about the dos and don’ts during the election period,” he said.
The nationwide liquor ban was enforced from May 11 until 11:59 p.m. of May 12.
Under Commission on Elections Resolution No. 10999, which outlines prohibited acts during the May 2025 national and Bangsamoro elections, selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or drinking intoxicating liquor was prohibited.
Exemptions were granted to hotels and establishments certified by the Department of Tourism to serve foreign tourists.
Solis noted the development is a far cry from the October 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
During that period, PRO-6 arrested 27 individuals for violating the liquor ban.
Among them were two foreigners, while the rest were civilians.
They were caught drinking liquor at around 12:47 a.m. on a Sunday at a bar in Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.
