TARLAKENYO (April 6, 2026) — If your plan involves setting up a table and chairs on the sidewalk, cracking open a few bottles with friends, and enjoying the night air — think again.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla made it clear on Monday: street drinking is now officially forbidden in all public spaces across the country.
“Meron tayong Anti-Public Intoxication Act. Bawal na ang mag-inom sa kalye. Bawal na ang maglatag ng mga silya at ng mga lamesa sa mga kalye at mag-inuman,” Remulla announced.
The reason? According to the DILG chief, public drinking is the root of two major problems.
“Doon nanggagaling number 1 ang away, number 2 ang sexual harassment.”
The message was blunt, and so was the warning.
“Kaya sinasabihan ko ang lahat, pasensyahan tayo, ‘pag kayo mag-inuman sa kalye, huhulihin namin kayo.”
Remulla was careful to draw a clear line between private and public spaces. Drinking at home? No problem. Drinking inside your own property, behind your own walls? Completely fine.
But the moment you take it outside, to the street, the plaza, the sidewalk, or any public area, you become a target for law enforcement.
“Kapag nasa loob kayo ng lansangan, walang problema, ‘pag nasa loob kayo ng pader niyo, nasa loob ng mga bahay. Pero sa labas, sa kalye, public spaces, bawal na ang inuman.”
The crackdown is part of a broader DILG initiative to enforce existing local ordinances more strictly. While the Anti-Public Intoxication Act has been on the books, officials admit that enforcement has been inconsistent. That ends now.
Not Just About Drinking
The DILG didn’t stop there. Remulla also announced enhanced curfew rules for minors and unsupervised individuals.
“Mayroon na tayong enhanced curfew ordinances para sa mga 18 years old and below, ‘pag hindi kayo nag-aaral o hindi kayo nagtratrabaho, [walang] proof of employment o proof of education na nag-aaral kayo sa oras na yun, pauwi kayo, bawal na kayo sa kalye after 10:00 PM.”
His warning was direct and colorful.
“Yung mga rugby boys diyan, mga genggeng diyan, yung mga gago sa kalye diyan, magtago na kayo ‘pag 10:00 huhulihin namin kayo.”
Other rules announced include a ban on walking shirtless in public even during scorching hot weather and a strict 10 p.m. cutoff for videoke singing, unless a special barangay permit has been issued for a fiesta or similar event.
“Pag alas-10 [ng gabi], nagvi-videoke pa kayo o kapit-bahay ninyo, nagvi-videoke, tumawag na kayo sa 911. At pupuntahan po ng pulis ‘yan at papatigilin,” Remulla said.
He added one exception: “Maliban, ibigay natin ng exception. Kung fiesta, may barangay permit, nagkakasiyahan doon, baka pwede pa. Pero, kung araw-araw lang, maawa na kayo sa mga kapitbahay niyo.”
What This Means for You
For the average Filipino, the message is simple: take the drinking inside. Keep your shirt on. And if you’re under 18 with no proof of work or school, be home by 10 p.m.
The DILG is framing this not just as an enforcement drive, but as a return to basic civility. Whether the public agrees or whether the police can actually enforce these rules consistently remains to be seen.
But for now, Secretary Remulla’s warning echoes loud and clear: “Huhulihin namin kayo.”
