Pasig City shuts down Chinese restaurant for lack of permit

A Chinese restaurant in Pasig City has been closed for failing to secure necessary business permits, Mayor Vico Sotto said Sunday.

In his Facebook post he said, “If you want to do business in our City, you follow our laws.”

Mayor Sotto also posted photos of the restaurant as well as its receipts that were written in Chinese characters. A netizen in the comment section pointed out how the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) allowed the business to issue receipts in foreign characters.

 

 “’Di na rin sila makakapag-operate dahil wala silang mga permit. ‘Di ako magugulat kung wala din silang BIR,” Mayor Vico replied to the netizen.

The mayor, meanwhile, expressed delight over the removal of immigration officers who were involved in allowing Chinese workers to enter the Philippines illegally.

“To the Bureau of Immigration, just let us know how the LGU of Pasig can help in catching and deporting these illegal workers and businessmen,” he added.

Whistleblower immigration officer Allison Chiong had testified at a Senate hearing on the "pastillas" scheme. Chinese casino high-rollers and offshore gaming operation workers allegedly skip the usual immigration process for a fee.

In compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) relieved last Thursday 19 personnel allegedly linked to the “pastillas” bribery scheme.

Due to this, Mayor Vico warned city hall personnel against using his name in "negotiating" with POGO operators.

“Sa mga sumusubok o susubukan pa lamang gamitin ang pangalan ko para makipag-negosasyon sa mga POGO, tigilan niyo na,” he said in the comment section.

“Wala nang maniniwala sa inyo. At sa mga empleyado ng city hall, 1-strike policy tayo dito,” he stressed. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News