Baguio gov’t stands pat Red Lion pub closure

BAGUIO CITY – The city government stood pat on the court-ordered closure of the Red Lion Pub and Inn along Leonard Wood Road at M. Roxas Brgy. for operating without business permit.

In a dialogue held Wednesday, Mayor Mauricio Domogan upon the recommendation of the concerned barangay officials and city departments and offices rejected the appeal of establishment owner Tony Perlas for extension of their operation until December this year to give them time to transfer to a more appropriate location.

Upon the advice of lawyers Rhenan Diwas and Marie May Buliyat of the City Legal Office , Perlas was instead asked to course his request before the court in deference to a ruling the court handed down dated September 10 ordering the stoppage of Red Lion’s operation as a pub but giving it a two-month winding down period.

The grace period lapsed last Nov. 10 and upon learning of its continued operation, elements of the city licensing division and the Baguio City Police Office closed the establishment last Monday on the strength of the court order.

Perlas said they would need more time to totally wind down and transfer their operations.

The pub has been operating without business permit as it cannot comply with the zoning requirements. 

City Planning and Development Officer Evelyn Cayat said they cannot approve its operation as the nature of the business is not permitted in the area classified as residential based on the Zoning Ordinance and that the operation in the area is within a prohibited distance from Teacher’s Camp as per the Liquor Ordinance.

The establishment earlier attempted to remedy the situation agreeing to operate plainly as a bed and breakfast joint but it was again denied due to lack of parking spaces which is another requirement under the law.

Apart from permit lapses, the club has been noted for violating the 12 a.m. closing time and has been the subject of complaints from barangays officials and residents for being a nuisance in the area.

Police also attributed some of the crimes that happened in the area to the presence of the club which Perlas denied saying the incidents transpired outside their establishment and that there were other establishments operating nearby which may have contributed to the crime.

In an exchange, Perlas decried being “singled out” but Diwas said it was due to the transgressions committed by the club.

The mayor said the city has given the establishment enough leeways in the past and this time, the court order has to be implemented. – Aileen P. Refuerzo