No drinking spree during May 8, 9 fiesta celebrations - Comelec

TACLOBAN CITY, May 6 (PNA) -– There’s no exemption to traditional liquor ban even for areas celebrating their annual fiesta on Sunday and Monday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified.

Leyte provincial elections supervisor Corazon Montallana said law enforcers will closely watch areas celebrating annual fiesta to ensure compliance to election laws in connection to the May 9 polls.

In Leyte province, the town of Tolosa and several villages in the province will mark their fiesta on May 8 and 9.

Fiesta, a tradition introduced during the Spanish era, features a mass, procession, reunions, feasts, and excessive drinking.

However, during the liquor ban, individuals are not allowed to sell, furnish, offer, buy, serve, or take intoxicating liquor anywhere in the country.

“Only establishments such as hotels, restaurants and resorts certified by the Department of Tourism as tourism-oriented may apply for exemption with Comelec. Foreigners may also be exempted from the liquor ban in such establishments,” Montallana said.

The Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, regional election directors, provincial election supervisors, city and town election officers and other election law enforcement team will be tasked to implement the ban for two days.

The Comelec said violating the liquor ban "shall be punishable with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation."

Offender will also be disqualified from holding public office and will be banned from voting. (PNA)

FFC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO