Mayor Isko Moreno almost flicked the ear of a foreign national he caught smoking in a public place during his days roaming around Malate, Manila City.
Despite knowing that the Mayor is coming together with a bunch of his staff and members of the media, the foreign national continues to smoke in front of Moreno who’s known for his strict governance.
“No Smoking, this is a public place,” Moreno said.
The foreign national ignored the Mayor and tried to walk away while still holding his cigarette. However, one of Moreno’s staff stopped the smoker from running away.
When the foreign national threw his cigarette in the wrong place, the Mayor demanded the former to pick it up.
“Pick it up and throw it there,” Moreno told the foreign national while pointing in the garbage bin.
Meanwhile, the second foreign national who caught by Moreno smoking denied that he’s holding a cigarette and seemed frightened by the presence of the Mayor.
Moreno also warned the establishments along Malate to follow the no-smoking law.
“Akala kasi nila ‘pag ganitong oras walang gobyerno,” Moreno said.
On May 18, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the no-smoking ban in the whole country to follow what he did in Davao City when he was still a Mayor.
According to the order, people are prohibited to smoke in the following places:
- Government buildings
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Offices and other workplaces
- Restaurants and other food and drink establishments
- Hotels and other accommodation facilities
- Hospitals, health centers, clinics, and nursing homes
- Transportation terminals
- Churches
- Shopping centers, retail stores, and other merchandise establishments
- Entertainment establishments
- Sports venues
- Other establishments that provide professional services
When caught for the first time, the violator needs to pay ₱500 – ₱1,000 for the first offense.
It’s not yet known what happens to the two foreign nationals caught by Moreno.