BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved two separate resolutions interposing no objection to the requests of operators of various electronic bingo in the city to operate traditional and electronic bingo games as well as other amusement games authorized by the State-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in different parts of the city despite the vehement opposition raised by anti-gambling advocates.
During the council’s regular session last May 22, 2017, the local legislative body passed Resolution No. 16, series of 2017 entitled: Interposing No Objection to the Request of Mr. Alejandro P. Alonte, Executive Vice President-Bingo and Other Games Approved by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, No. 1, Ignacio Villamor Drive, Barangay Lualhati, Baguio City, and Mr. Jimmy Ong of Bingo Palace Corporation to Operate Traditional and Electronic Bingo at Baguio City’ and Resolution No. 176-A entitled: “Interposing No Objection to the Request of Mr. Alejandro P. Alonte, Executive Vice President – Operations and Marketing of Highland Gaming Corporation to Operate Traditional and Electronic Bingo at Baguio Bingo, Upper Basement, SM City Baguio, Upper Session Road corner Luneta Hill, Baguio City and at Highland Bingo, 5th Floor, Baguio Center Mall Building, Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City.
In his letter dated April 18, 2017, which was addressed to Vice Mayor Edison R. Bilog, Alonte, Executive Vice President–Operation and Marketing of Bingo Palace Corporation, expressed the company’s intent to operate electronic bingo and other games approved by PAGCOR in Albergo Hotel.
He added Bingo Palace Corporation is a duly registered corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) authorized to primarily furnish, provide, operate and maintain amusement and recreation facilities to the public and that it is a subsidiary of Leisure and Resorts World Corporation, publicly listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange.
In his separate letter dated May 19, 2017, to Vice Mayor Bilog, Jimmy Ong of Bingo Palace Corporation followed up Alonte’s earlier letter requesting the council for the passage of a resolution interposing no objection to the planned operation of an electronic bingo outlet in Albergo Hotel.
In its 2nd endorsement dated May 22, 2017, the Council Committee on Laws, Human Rights and Justice interposed no objection to the said request and the Committee further recommended that the local government will no longer entertain other applications for electronic bingo operations in the city.
On the other hand, Alonte, Vice President for Marketing and Operation of Highland Gaming Corporation, in his letter dated April 24, 2017, addressed to Vice Mayor Bilog, requested for the passage of a council resolution for the operation of traditional and electronic bingo by HGC at SM City Baguio and Baguio Center Mall which is a requirement in the renewal of the license to operate from PAGCOR.
The same committee recommended for the approval of a resolution interposing no objection to the company’s intent to operate traditional and electronic bingo in the said outlets.
Under the revised PAGCOR rules and regulations, applicants intending to operate traditional and electronic bingo outlets and other amusement games approved by the State Corporation should first secure a certificate of no objection to their application and for the renewal of the previous licenses issued to gaming and amusement corporations.
Earlier, the local legislative body also approved the operation of an electronic bingo outlet which will be established at the Maharlika Livelihood Center.
Members of the Baguio-Benguet Multi-sectoral Group (BBMG) lashed out at the members of the City Council to consider their position paper against the operation of legal and illegal gambling activities in the city, citing the fact that they disregarded the signatures of bonafide residents of the different barangays against the operation of electronic bingo games.
BBMG officials accused members of the local legislative body of allegedly railroading the approval of the two controversial resolutions because it was calendared in the other matters of the agenda of the regular session as if it was between life and death for the council to pass the said resolution when it could be done in a separate meeting in the presence of those who are against the issue for them to rais their objection to gambling in the city.
By HENT