Crackdown on E-Casino Joints
VOL. XVIII NO. 3 (October 25-31, 2014)
BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan ordered the city police headed by Sr. Supt. Rolando Miranda to round up electronic casino (e-casino) joints operating in the city following confirmation by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairman and chief executive officer Cristino Naguiat Jr. that there was no permit issued for any electronic game like e-casino and e-bingo in the city.
“I asked our city police to check on these e-game establishments, find out what authority they have to operate and to close them if they have no permit,” the mayor said on Wednesday.
Baguio Apostolic Vicar Bishop Carlito Cenzon earlier called the mayor’s attention on the existence of e-casino operation in one shopping mall in the city.
The mayor who said he has not signed any permit to allow said operation authorized the bishop to conduct a study and submit a report to serve as basis for the chief executive’s action.
Naguiat reportedly assured that PAGCOR will not approve any application for e-games in the city unless the city allows it.
The city has standing resolutions opposing the establishment of casino or any form of gambling.
Domogan during his term as congressman of the city was among those who proposed the amendment of the PAGCOR charter to give local government units a say on allowing PAGCOR games to operate in their locality.
At present, PAGCOR requires applicants for license to operate games to secure a Letter of No Objection from the local government units.
Naguiat also reportedly said that the city’s refusal to allow casino and other PAGCOR games would not mean forfeiture of its privilege to secure assistance from the PAGCOR.
PAGCOR recently agreed to fund the construction of a 32-classroom structure on the lot allotted for the Baguio City National High School in Irisan barangay and a 20-classroom building at the Pines City National High School in preparation for the senior high school program to start in 2016./By: A Refuerzo
