By Jennifer P. Rendon
More than 20 persons were arrested in Western Visayas for violating the election liquor ban.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) imposed a nationwide liquor ban from October 29 to 30 under Resolution 10924, which means that purchasing and drinking alcoholic beverages will be prohibited.
“It shall be unlawful for any person, including owners and managers of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments of the same nature to sell, furnish, offer, buy, serve, or take intoxicating liquor anywhere in the Philippines,” the resolution stated.
Police records indicated that 27 persons were arrested including two foreigners.
They were caught drinking liquor at around 12:47 a.m. on Sunday at a bar in Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.
Major Mary Grace Borio, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 said, that the area where they were arrested could not be a Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited establishment.
Under the resolution, only foreign tourists in hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other similar establishments certified by the Department of Tourism as “tourist-oriented” will be exempted from the ban.
Borio said that violators will be slapped with charges for violation of the Omnibus Election Code,
They could punished with a jail time of one to six years without probation, along with a permanent ban from public office.
