Closed KTV bar resumes operation?

CEBU, Philippines - A KTV bar which the Cebu City government has shutdown in December last year for exhibiting lewd shows has resumed operation under a new name and was even granted a temporary business permit by the city treasurer’s office.

City treasurer Diwa Cuevas confirmed that a temporary business permit was granted early this month to Ma. Kristina Mondragon, who operates the East Paris KTV Bar at the second floor of APM Square Mall in Barangay Mabolo where the Las Vegas KTV Music Lounge used to operate.

Although separate permittee, the establishment is into the same type of business which is prohibited under the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Ordinance.

 Cuevas said Mondragon applied for business permit twice this year to operate East Paris KTV Bar. The first attempt was denied by the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board, which recommended for the closure of Las Vegas KTV in December 2013.

Cuevas said that CTO has issued temporary business permit to East Paris in its second application after it changed its classification of business.

“We cannot afford to deprive the owner of the building kay wala gud siya’y labot, mag-income pa man siya. We issued a temporary business permit kay naka-comply sila sa requirements. But then again, gibalik napod namo og CCAIB,” Cuevas said.

Cuevas said the temporary business permit granted in the first week of November allowed East Paris KTV Bar to operate.

“It is temporary pending the final approval of CCAIB because of the issue sa Las Vegas. Lahi ang applicant, ang permittee, classification, and ni-go through gyod sa inspection,” she said.

A modification was noted in the classification of business between Las Vegas KTV Music Lounge and East Paris KTV Bar based on the database of the CTO.

Las Vegas Music Lounge was classified as fast food, sell and serve liquor, and KTV. While the East Paris KTV bar is classified as restaurant, sell and serve liquor, and for entertainment.

Tax mapping division head Monina Paires said that East Paris KTV Bar has bigger tax dues compared to Las Vegas because of the percentage tax for entertainment. City Administrator and CCAIB head Lucelle Mercado said that on November 10, she invited the owner of East Paris KTV Bar to appear in a meeting to clear issues regarding its classification as a business. The meeting was supposedly set on November 28.

Mercado said that East Paris will possibly be facing closure order if proven that it operates as KTV Bar.

Under City Ordinance 1408, any establishment is not allowed to operate a year after it was ordered for closure with the same nature of business.

Las Vegas Music Lounge was closed on December 20, 2013 for violating City Ordinance 1408, which prohibits indecent and lewd shows in bars.

“Nganong nag-una-una man sila og abli?,” Mercado asked.

She said that the establishment is not allowed to operate as KTV bar since it has not reached a year since it was closed even though the bar has acquired a temporary business permit.

“It is not about having a business permit, it is about defiance of the ordinance,” she said. With this, CCAIB will be conducting random inspection in the KTV bar.

“Naa gyod possibility nga ma-close napod ni sila kon ma-confirm nato nga ingon ana gihapon ilang gi-operate,” he said.—/FPL  (FREEMAN)