An executive order from the mayor of Baguio now requires businesses selling liquor in Baguio to go through a "good character" spirituality-building seminar that will be taught by pastors before they can obtain new licenses.

According to a government employee, the directive aims to "deliver the city from God's plagues", referring no doubt to the garbage and air pollution now stiffling the city.

Seriously, what's worse here is that it's an honest-to-goodness attempt to put the blame on the businesses, when it's their government that can't do their work.

(The) ... problem has reached gargantuan proportion, whereby crimes against persons and juvenile delinquencies are due to the rampant operation of so-called sin businesses or vice promoting entertainment centers, such as bars, liquor dispensers, nightclubs, karaoke joints, video or computer centers, billiard halls and the like," the directive said.

The seminars were meant to "gather all operators to apprise them of the gravity of the problem caused by liquor and other vices-promoting establishments," Yaranon told reporters.

Even more curious:

Asked if the order had intruded into people's right to religion, the mayor said: "No, this is for the children. There are laws protecting the children. I don't see religion entering the picture here."

For the children pala ha.