The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) requested the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday to extend the liquor ban from two days to 45 days come the election period on May 13.

In the request letter signed by the MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, it stated that the two-day liquor ban is inadequate in addressing the evils and problems related to the taking of intoxicating drinks given that the election period covers from January 13 until June 12, 2013.

The petition also stated that the “unfettered consumption of alcoholic beverages” during the election season “does not aid the intelligent discussion of election issues by the citizens”.

Tolentino said that not having a prolonged liquor ban does not augur well in areas with heated political rivalries.

The petition cited the gun ban as an example stating that it lasts for the rest of the election period and it applies to licensed gun owners who are a small percentage to the alcohol imbibing citizens when access to alcohol is not limited.

Given the deleterious and far-reaching effects of alcohol, it stands to reason that the liquor ban should be in effect for a longer period, just as the gun ban, it added.

However, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said that while the commission en banc is still set to discuss the petition filed by the MMDA, he believes that the proposal has a small chance of being approved.

“Maybe 45 days is just too long [for a liquor ban],” Brillantes said in the Comelec headquarters.

Comelec Commissioner Armando Velasco also affirmed Brillantes’ decision and opined that it should be no longer than three days.

“In our informal discussion, masyado mahaba ang 45 days. On my part, maybe three days siguro. When it comes to liquors, there is a case of hangover, even after 24 hours . . .

Remember that our concentration is for the purposes of voting,” Velasco said in a separate interview.
Both poll officials also noted that the proposal could also receive strong opposition from businessmen and liquor drink manufacturers.

“This will surely be opposed by the liquor makers and sellers . . . and these are big companies,” Brillantes said.

“We also have to consider the commercial value of the liquor ban . . . there will certainly be businesses that will be affected,” Velasco expressed.

The Omnibus Election Code states that it is prohibited for “any person to sell, furnish, offer, buy, serve or take intoxicating liquor . . . on the day before the election or on Election Day.”

Comelec Resolution 9582 provides that the liquor ban shall be in effect on May 12 and 13, 2013.