Parañaque cracks down on drunk drivers

MANILA, Philippines - Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. signed Thursday an executive order outlining the implementing rules and regulations of the city’s ordinance penalizing drunk drivers.

In a statement issued by the city government, Bernabe’s approval of the order “signals the immediate implementation and enforcement of the long-dormant city ordinance.”

“This means that any day now, motorists in Parañaque City who are in the habit of drinking alcoholic drinks before heading for home are therefore forewarned to take it easy on the… bottle,” the city government said.

Motorists suspected of drunk driving shall be subjected to a breath test or a field sobriety test. The city government said it has recently received two top-of-the-line digital breath analyzers as donations.

If the breath analyzer shows an alcohol concentration of .06 or more grams per 210 liters of breath, it is enough basis for a police officer to issue a violation receipt that the motorist can pay at the city treasurer’s office, the statement read.

Police officers who are not equipped with breath analyzers may subject the motorist to a field sobriety test, which involves walking in a straight line at a given pace.