MANILA, Philippines – How does poll chief Sixto Brillantes Jr feel after another setback from the Supreme Court (SC), which, on Wednesday, May 8, stopped the poll body from implementing its extended liquor ban?

Brillantes, who threatened to resign last month after a series of unfavorable decisions from the SC, said he’s unaffected.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), after all, was not “too keen” on the extended liquor ban. The Comelec decided to extend the usually two-day liquor ban after a proposal from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

“Hindi ganoon kahalaga, because the law really provides for two days only. We wanted to expand it. If the Supreme Court feels na hindi dapat, by issuing a TRO, eh ‘di okay lang,” Brillantes said. (It’s not that important, because the law really provides for two days only. We wanted to expand it. If the Supreme Court feels it shouldn’t be, then it’s okay.)

He said the Comelec, in the first place, was divided on the extended liquor ban. The Comelec voted 4-1 for the liquor ban extension, he recalled.

SC spokesman Theodore Te announced the TRO on the extended liquor ban in a press conference on Thursday. Te cited a petition filed by liquor companies Food and Beverage Inc and International Wines and Spirit Association Inc.

The liquor companies said Comelec acted in excess jurisdiction when it issued the resolution ordering the liquor ban. – Rappler.com