In the aftermath of a deadly hit-and-run in Cebu, a city councilor is proposing a new ordinance that would hold bars and other liquor-serving establishments accountable if they continue serving visibly intoxicated customers who later cause harm.
Cebu City Councilor Harold Kendrick Go is drafting the proposed “Kingston Ralph Ordinance,” named after Kingston Ralph Cheng, who tragically died in a hit-and-run incident in Barangay Banilad earlier this month.
The ordinance aims to increase accountability among establishments that profit from alcohol sales.
Under the proposal, bar owners, managers, bartenders, and servers could face administrative penalties if they knowingly serve a patron who is visibly intoxicated, and that individual later causes harm, injury, fatality, or property damage within a defined period after leaving the establishment.
Penalties could include fines, suspension or revocation of liquor permits, and possible closure for repeat violations.
Criminal liability is also being explored, pending legal review.
Go emphasized that the measure is not designed to absolve the accused individuals.
“This is not about diverting responsibility to others,” Go clarified in an interview. “The person responsible will still be held liable under current laws. This ordinance aims to add an extra layer of responsibility for businesses.”
He further explained that the ordinance is intended to supplement existing national laws by holding establishments to a higher standard when it comes to serving alcohol.
“There are instances when you can see that someone is already drunk, yet they continue to serve them alcohol. That needs to stop,” Go said. “Now, there will be repercussions.”
The ordinance is inspired by laws in parts of the United States, where establishments and bartenders face legal consequences for over-serving intoxicated individuals.
However, Go acknowledged that the law’s success depends on enforcement capacity.
“It will depend on how well enforcers implement the ordinance,” he said, noting that Cebu already has ordinances for driving under the influence.
The draft ordinance has yet to be formally filed with the Sangguniang Panlungsod, but Go shared the proposal online to gather public feedback before submitting it.
“This is still a draft. We’re open to feedback and will consider input from different sectors before finalizing it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña confirmed that the city is consolidating proposals to strengthen enforcement against alcohol-related violations.
“We are drafting an ordinance,” Osmeña said during a press conference. “We’re working on tightening up the language to prevent similar incidents.”
Proposals being considered include mandatory CCTV systems in bars, visible signs warning against over-serving, and clear penalties for establishments that serve intoxicated patrons.
“If a bar continues to serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person, they will be penalized,” Osmeña said.
Additionally, he suggested requiring establishments to call the police when a customer is heavily intoxicated to prevent them from driving.
Defining what legally constitutes an “intoxicated individual” remains a key issue that is still being studied.
“There’s still a legal process to be done, but we assure the public we’re working on it,” Osmeña said, adding that the administration is committed to ensuring accountability.
The proposed ordinance will undergo committee deliberations once formally filed. (LLP)
