CAIB nixes Las Vegas reopening

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CAIB) has denied for lack of merit the motion for reconsideration filed by Las Vegas KTV Bar  the closure of the establishment last Dec. 20.

The decision was reached after CAIB members met and discussed the petition last Jan. 3, said Dr. Lucelle Mercardo, CAIB chairperson.

“The Board duly convened on this day (Jan.3) to deliberate on the matter. The board, upon careful evaluation, found the same bereft of merit,” read the one-page decision.

Mercado said that in coming up with the decision, the board relied on Sec. 9 of City Ordinance No.1408, which provides that “the owner, operator, manager or director of erring theaters or movie houses, night clubs, beerhouses, cocktail  lounges,  bars and similar establishments shall be held equally liable/responsible with the employee/performances”.

The same provision also states that “the owner, manager or permittee of the erring establishment cannot escape liability by the mere fact that at the time a violation of the provisions of the ordinance and other related laws has been committed, he may have entered into an agreement or contract with the third person or persons with respect to said shows or exhibition.”

CAIB referred to the Office of the Mayor for “proper disposition” the Dec. 23 motion of lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna, Las Vegas KTV legal counsel.

In a separate interview, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he would have CAIB deal with the matter instead of acting on it.

 â€œI am leaving it to them (CAIB) whatever they wish to do. There are lawyers know what to do, and I don’t want to teach them what to do,” he said.

“This is democracy,” he said, adding that he would not simply decide according to his wishes but on what is required by law

Dela Cerna told The FREEMAN that with the denial of their motion for reconsideration, they will bring the matter to the courts.

“We demand due process. Our only option is to take it to court,” read his text message on the decision he received last Jan. 8.

Dela Cerna has earlier filed a motion for reconsideration, arguing that if the mayor would not favor his request, many employees would lose their jobs.

The City Government has ordered Las Vegas KTV Bar padlocked for a year due to alleged “lewd, obscene shows.” (FREEMAN)