Rama stops liquor sale at Fuente

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered to stop the selling of liquor inside the Fuente Osmeña rotunda as it is a violation of the city ordinance.

City Ordinance 1413 prohibits the sale of any kinds of liquor products within 100-meter distance from public plazas, churches, hospitals and school unless a special permit was granted.

Rama said he does not remember having issued special permit allowing the sale of beer and other liquor products at the Fuente Osmeña rotunda.

The FREEMAN observed some vendors were allowed to operate inside the rotunda selling bottles of beer at night until the wee hours of the morning.

Fuente Osmeña rotunda, which is now subject of a conflict between the city and provincial officials, is just a stone-throw away from the Fuente Osmeña police station but the police failed to implement the law.

A special permit is required before liquor vending is allowed in public plaza. The permit costs P6,000. (FREEMAN)