63 receive tickets for drinking past prohibited period
SIXTY-THREE individuals were issued citation tickets by the Sta. Ana Police Station for violating the liquor ban inside a business establishment at Villamor Street cor. Cervantes St. on Sunday, July 9.
Meanwhile, the establishment did not escape the penalty as the Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) recommended to the Business Bureau for the bar’s closure.
In an interview Wednesday, Captain Rizalito Clapiz III of the Sta. Ana Police Station said the violators were caught in the act of drinking liquor at around 3:35 a.m. They were fined under City Ordinance 004-13.
“The owner of the bar was also included in the issuance of a ticket. He has no permit [to operate],” Clapiz said.
“Many bargoers go to the establishment since the other bars that allow selling liquor at wee hours were already raided before,” he added.
It can be recalled that 61 individuals were arrested and one minor rescued after Bae Bistro in Marfori Heights, Barangay 9-A, was raided on March 11 for violating the liquor ban.
In a separate interview, VRU chief Hernando Las said violators only have 3-7 days to pay P3,000 for the first offense. Otherwise, their cases will be elevated to the court.
Under the ordinance, the city’s liquor ban is implemented from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m., and the selling, serving, or consumption of liquor and any other alcoholic and intoxicating drinks in public shall be prohibited during the period.
The last order for liquor for most bars is at midnight or 12:30 a.m.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte also warned bar owners to adhere to the guidelines or face penalties if they commit violations. Duterte said establishments would pay the penalty for the first offense and may serve jail time for the second offense. Their business permits will also be revoked on the third offense.
