CAIB padlocks gay bar for lewd shows

CEBU, Philippines - The members of the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CAIB) yesterday padlocked a gay bar and restaurant in barangay Banilad for presenting allegedly lewd shows.

Armed with an order issued by Mayor Michael Rama, CAIB members headed by CAIB chairperson Lucille Mercado closed the Cheetah Bar & Restaurant while the city will file charges in court against the establishment’s owners.

Mercado said the bar was inspected twice by CAIB members, particularly Juliet Balboa and Carole Diola, on September 21 and December 7 last year and it was found out that it violated the provisions of City Ordinance 1408 that prohibits indecent shows.

The matter has been referred to the City Legal Office and the registered owner of the establishment named Grace Gabasa was directed to submit her explanation on why her business should not be ordered closed.

The management argued that if there was a violation, why didn’t the CAIB arrest the performers while in the act of performing the alleged lewd acts.

Mercado said no arrests were made because it is not the job of CAIB members to make arrests.

The two female CAIB members who entered the bar by pretending to be customers saw male entertainers showing and even allowing gay customers to touch their genitals. (FREEMAN)