Resto-bar airs side on closure order

CEBU, Philippines - The management of a resto-bar that was ordered closed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña for operating without a business permit and other requirements required by the city, has finally submitted its answer to the allegations hurled against it. 

 This as city attorney Joseph Bernaldez advised Bakak Resto-bar to suspend its operations while his office is still trying to resolve the issues lodged against the establishment.

Bernaldez yesterday said he received a letter reply from Richard Aznar, the managing partner of Bakak Resto Bar, after the City Attorney’s Office sent a letter to the establishment to explain in 72 hours the violations it has committed against the Omnibus Tax Ordinance of the city.

The violations include operating without business permit, special permit to sell and serve liquor and selling liquor to minors.

Bernaldez said Bakak admitted not having a business permit and a special permit but the management has allegedly applied for it already.

The city attorney said these are already very valid grounds to suspend the establishment’s operations, adding “it is advisable that Bakak will not operate on its own volition until this office has resolved the matter.”

Aznar allegedly explained that the mayor’s permit for Bakak has already been applied for but was not acted upon pending occupancy permit. The Office of Building Official allegedly did not issue an occupancy permit to Bakak for lack of the required parking space, which according to Aznar, was already complied.

A copy of an application for special permit was also submitted by Aznar but still remains pending until now. A special permit is given only when the applicant is outside the 100-meter prohibited radius from any academe, hospitals, school.

On the third issue, Bakak denied not following the prohibition on selling liquor to minors.

“It has been the policy of the establishment not to sell liquors to minors. In fact all personnel of the establishment are properly trained to serve and determine the age of the customers, ask for proper identification and age if they have doubts,” Aznar said in his letter.

Bernaldez said he will have to go over the reply of Bakak carefully and review the City Ordinance 1413 which regulates establishments of such kind. “My decision will always be in favor of the law.” — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)