Court rules in favour of Waterfront in IR case
The company could become the fifth integrated resort operator in the Philippines, joining Bloomberry, Melco, Okada Manila and Travellers International.
The Philippines.- Waterfront Philippines Inc. (WPI) has won a favourable ruling on its petition for an integrated resort (IR) licence within Entertainment City Manila.
WPI says is made an application for a gaming licence, and paid the US$100 million fee, in 2008, but never received any communication back from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
In 2015, it requested a mandamus, a judicial writ issued as a command to an inferior court to perform a public or statutory duty. Two years later, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) found in WPI’s favour and directed PAGCOR to issue a license for its Grand Waterfront Hotel and Casino project.
PAGCOR failed to file an appeal in due time and in 2018 the Court of Appeals upheld the RTC’s decision.
Now, the Supreme Court has granted the operator’s petition. Its decision is final and executory.
If Waterfront moves forward, WPI will become the fifth IR operator in the Philippines, joining Bloomberry, Melco, Okada Manila and Travellers International.
