Poll chief: Liquor ban may be extended for 5 to 7 days

(Updated 12:19 p.m., Jan. 17, 2013) The liquor ban may be extended from five to seven days if the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will see no legal impediment in coming up with such a resolution. Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Wednesday said they have yet to see if they are violating any laws by amending the Omnibus Election Code, which clearly states that the liquor ban is effective only on two days — on the eve of the election and on the election day itself. Asked on what is the maximum number of days that the liquor ban could be extended, the poll chief said: "Five days to one week. Pwede nga namin gawing... pwede namin i-expand hanggang ngayon. Sabay na namin sa gun ban. Yun nga lang baka idemanda kami ng mga beer and gin manufacturers." The proposal for a prolonged liquor ban came from Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino, who said such could prevent incidents of election-related violence. Brillantes said the commissioner en banc initially rejected extending the liquor ban, but that Tolentino pointed out that the law does not mention the word "only," thus opening up the rules for amendments. "The law is very specific na on and before election day [ang liquor ban]. Pero inulit-ulit ni Chairman Francis na walang nakalagay na 'only.' Pag walang nakalagay na only, pwede," he said. The Omnibus Election Code prohibits "(a)ny person who sells, furnishes, offers, buys, serves or takes intoxicating liquor on the days fixed by law for the registration of voters in the polling place, or on the day before the election or on election day." For his part, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the law clearly states the span of time for the liquor ban. "The law is abundantly clear that there is no room for interpretation. Kung malinaw na ang batas, bakit mo pa palilikuin-likuin? Sundin mo na lang," Jimenez said. He added that the Comelec will find a way so it could legally amend the law for a prolonged liquor ban. "So kami, to accomodate an idea that’s being given openly with the best intentions,  we have to find some way to make it happen," he said. "Pag nakahanap na ng legal basis for extending it then it would not be for 45 days because that [is] too long. It's probably for five days," Jimenez also said. Brillantes maintained that the liquor ban is not an urgent matter for the Comelec, noting that they have all the time on February to come up with a resolution. Tolentino's proposed 45-day liquor will have to start late March. More than the the liquor ban, the Comelec has enforced a gun ban during the election period, which is scheduled from January 13 to June 12 this year. It will also prohibit the construction of public works by politicians starting March 29, 2013. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK, GMA News