Planned prohibition
Iunderstand why Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is having a hissy fit. Truly I do. I mean, it’s not like the City Government did not repeatedly warn the establishments of the repercussions.
Oh, I’m referring to what happened during, or I should say, after the Sinulog grand parade last Sunday.
Seventeen establishments are in trouble because they allegedly violated the City’s policy regarding street parties.
Before I continue, the City had prohibited establishments from using their parking lots as an extension of their businesses by putting up tables and chairs where they could serve liquor to customers. It also banned the use of loud speakers along the parade route.
Apparently, these 17 establishments failed to get the memo, so to speak. One, in particular, has been singled out. The Backflip Restobar on Juana Osmeña St. was ordered by the mayor, who went around the known apres-Sinulog bashes, to turn off its music, which it did. Reports have it, though, that the minute the mayor left, the restobar turned the music back on.
Anyway, because of this alleged blatant defiance, the City might ban the selling of liquor every third Sunday of January, or during the grand parade. But before you cry foul, the ordinance only covers establishments on Gen. Maxilom Ave., F. Ramos St. and Juana Osmeña.
As for the alleged violators, they will be investigated by the treasurer’s office and the city police. If found guilty, their business permits will be suspended for 30 days.
As for Councilor Dave Tumulak’s frustration, I, too, can understand.
The former member of Team Rama who left the party after Osmeña’s election victory to declare his independence only to be appointed as deputy mayor for police matters by the new administration and has, since then, become, for all intents and purposes, Osmeña’s lapdog, saId: “Out of 365 days in a year, the City Government only asked them for one day (not to sell liquor). But there are those that did not follow.”
I feel you, Dave. I mean, how difficult was it for the 17 establishments to follow the order? After all, they were allowed to go about their businesses last Sunday as long these took place within the confines of their establishments.
Anyway, the councilor is more than happy to sponsor the proposed liquor ban ordinance, although I doubt it will deter future violators. Suspending business permit up to six months and fining them a maximum of P5,000 just won’t do it.
Not when the complainant has to provide video clips, photos of the violation, an affidavit, a police report and a recommendation from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office as evidence. Just too much hassle.