Hotel owner accuses shop of selling liquors to minor

CEBU, Philippines - A hotel owner on Juana Osmeña St. in Cebu City sought the intervention of the Cebu City Government in getting the attention of a “restobar” located beside her establishment, a few meters away from a school.

Joy Cabay, owner of Hotel Le Carmen, in a February 26 letter addressed to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama complained against Route Stop Mango Square Mall branch saying her guests were leaving due to rowdy customers of what she called a “restobar.”

But Route Stop finance head Christine Calibud said their shop is a convenience store and not a restobar.

“We are a convenience but we just have tables. Yes, we sell liquors but so does our neighboring establishments including Hotel Le Carmen,” Calibud told The FREEMAN.

The two establishments located beside each other are approximately 42 meters from a school offering grade school, high school, and college education.  Cabay, in her letter, referred to the city liquor ordinance saying “any place that sells liquor should be 100 meters” from a school.

“This bar is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The law states that bars should be open from 9am to 10pm. Some customers are minors still wearing high school uniform,” the hotel owner said.

Being a convenience store, the establishment is open round-the-clock, Calibud defended.

“We strictly implement the policy on not allowing entrance of minors especially those wearing uniforms. What she said is not true,” the shop official said.

Store cashier affirmed Calibud’s statement saying the management has a marching order never to allow minors and students inside.  Otherwise, the cashiers on duty will be liable.  Nards Chiu from the Liquors and Licensing Commission said they will look into the matter and discuss with co-members for them to act on Cabay’s complaint.

“We have closed drinking shops for violating our ordinance. We will check with our records if this particular shop has been closed before,” Chiu added. —MBG (FREEMAN)