Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 327)
Any person who conducts or operates a billiard or pool hall, or a bowling alley where persons play on a compensation or hire basis must secure a license from the City or Municipal Treasurer of the locality where the establishment is located.
Yes, they are prohibited within a radius of 200 lineal meters from city or municipal halls, provincial or national capitol buildings, public plazas, public schools, churches, hospitals, athletic stadiums, public parks, and any institution of learning or charity.
They may operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, except on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, Saturdays, days preceding official holidays, and town fiestas, when they may remain open until 2:00 a.m. of the following day. Bowling alleys in residential areas cannot operate after 11:00 p.m.
No, minors under 18 years of age are not allowed to participate in billiard or pool games, and minors under 12 years of age are not allowed to participate in bowling games.
No, the sale of any intoxicating liquor is prohibited inside these establishments, and carrying firearms or deadly weapons is also prohibited except by peace officers in the performance of official duties.
They may file a protest with the Secretary of the Interior, who is authorized to investigate and decide on the case or cancel the license.
Yes, such decisions may be appealed to the Secretary of the Interior, whose decision is final.
The license can be revoked upon satisfactory evidence that gambling or playing of prohibited games has taken place, or if there are any violations of the rules and regulations under the Order.
The minimum license fee is ten pesos annually or two pesos and fifty centavos quarterly per billiard or pool table or per bowling alley, although existing ordinances with higher fees remain in force unless changed by the President.