Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" Congress
First Regular Session

H.No.__ 3235

Introduced by Representative Malapitan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The bill proposes to limit the hours of operation of nightclubs, cocktail lounges,
bars and similar establishments serving liquor, wine or intoxicating drinks from 5:00 p.m.
to 1:00 a.m. It also prohibits patrons of such establishments from carrying firearms
inside, consequently, depositing the same with the management or operator, and enjoins
the owner, operator or manager not to allow persons with criminal record or of
questionable character from entering such establishments. For such purpose, they should
secure a list of such citizens from the NBI or the police agencies.

Time has come when we should no longer close our eyes to continuing incidence
of criminality in our country. Our newspapers are replete with such incidents, each
varying in intensity to gravity from the other. We have enacted laws, creating so many
law-enforcing agencies or strengthening existing ones, but crime has never abated and
still dominate life in the city and in the countryside.

It will require superhuman efforts to curb criminality, but steps must be taken to
minimize it. Psychologists, sociologists and others believe that intoxicating liquor and
constant exposure to equally intoxicating environments cause criminality. Knowing this,
the proper steps is to regulate the usual sources of these stimulant-nightclubs, cocktail
lounges, bars, or similar establishments serving liquor or wine and employing hostesses.
‘There is no necessity to provide statistics of crimes occurring in these establishments or
as a result of having patronized them.

Clientele of these establishments are not altogether people with affluent means.
Some are low-salaried employees who must resort to graft and corruption to finance their
nocturnal activities in these hives. Others are minors who must resort to dubious ways
for making money to sustain their pleasures. They, being of tender age, should have not
been allowed inside in the first place.

There are many more social evils that could be prevented if these establishments
were totally banned, but because our people must be allowed some pleasures to relax a
tired and weary body, these establishments should be regulated instead.

Hence, approval of the attached bill is earnestly urged.

PITAN


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" Congress
First Regular Session

H.No.__ 3235

Introduced by Representative Malapitan

AN ACT
LIMITING THE HOURS OF OPERATION OF NIGHTCLUBS, COCKTAIL
LOUNGES, BARS AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS, AND PENALIZING THE
VIOLATIONS THEREOF.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled;

SECTION 1. Any provision of law, ordinance, or regulation to the contrary
notwithstanding, no nightclub, cocktail lounge, bar or similar establishment serving
liquor, wine or intoxicating drinks shall be opened for business earlier than 5:00 p.m. nor
later than 1:00 a.m, or 2:00 a.m. if the following day is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday.

SEC. 2. No person owning, operating, managing or working in any
establishment mentioned in the preceding section shall knowingly allow any person with
criminal record to enter the premises of the establishment.

SEC. 3. No person carrying a firearm or other deadly weapon shall be allowed to
enter any establishment in section one hereof unless he deposits such firearm or weapon
with the management of said establishment. The owner or manager or any person acting
under his authority who, knowingly allows the carrying of the firearm or weapon inside
the establishment shall also be held liable for any and all offenses arising from the use
thereof inside the establishment, in addition to the penalties prescribed in section four
hereof.

SEC, 4. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall be
punished by imprisonment for not less than six months and one day nor more than six
years without probation.

If the offense is committed by a corporation, partnership, or association, the
president, managing partner or head thereof, respectively, shall be responsible therefor.
If the offense is committed by an alien, he shall be deported immediately after service of
sentence.

SEC. 5. If for any reason any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other sections or provisions thereof shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fificen days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two national newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes
earlier.

Approved,