THE announced policies of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte, particularly the planned implementation of curfew and a liquor ban, should be clarified so that people know its details, particularly its impact on the economy, the Palace said on Thursday.
“It would be best and reasonable that we await the presentation of his total national program to understand thoroughly the various parts of it, such as those pertaining to the youth,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. when asked about the matter.
Duterte spokesperson Peter Laviña had earlier announced that the incoming administration may impose a 10 p.m. curfew on unaccompanied children and a liquor ban in public places after 1 a.m.
Although the measures may be enacted via executive order, Laviña said it would be best if the policies are implemented via the regular legislative process.
But questions arose amid fears that the liquor ban plan may have a negative impact on employment, particularly in the burgeoning restaurant and liquor manufacturing industries, as well as the government’s collections from sin taxes.
Already, the stocks of liquor makers fell on Thursday with the shares of the Lucio Tan Group, which includes Asia Brewery and Tanduay, and Emperador Inc., sustaining significant drops in prices.
The spokesman for Duterte on Tuesday clarified some details about his planned implementation of a curfew and a liquor ban for the next administration.
Peter Laviña explained why Duterte put up the measures, which he said will be implemented nationwide when the mayor becomes president.
“The curfew is principally for minors, unescorted minors, past 10 p.m. It does not include minors with their parents or guardians. This is to make sure that our children are in their homes, sleeping already, preparing for the next day in school,” Laviña said earlier.
But Laviña clarified that the liquor ban, which would prohibit establishments from selling alcohol after 1 a.m., would only be in effect in public places.
“The reason he has this liquor ban because we have to work the next day. Nothing to do with denying us our freedoms. When you go home, you can drink to you heart’s content in the privacy of your homes,” he said.
Locals say that Duterte implemented the liquor ban mainly to prevent drunk driving, which used to be one of the common causes of vehicular accidents in the city, but critics argue that there is already a drunk driving law although it is poorly implemented.