PAGCOR loses an appeal on casino licence

The Court of Appeals has ruled against PAGCOR’s appeal to reverse a decision that urged it to issue a casino licence to Waterfront Philippines.

Philippines.- Following previous rulings criteria, the Court of Appeals has ruled against the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) once again. The court has rejected the appeal by PAGCOR to reverse a decision to issue a casino licence to Waterfront Philippines.

“After carefully considering the grounds raised in the subject motion, we find that the said reasons and the arguments in support thereof have been amply treated, discussed and passed upon in the subject decision,” the ruling says. It is dated April 22 and upholds an October ruling. “The additional arguments proffered therein constitute no cogent or compelling reason to modify, much less reverse, it.”

The previous ruling

Last year, the CA upheld a previous ruling ordering the PAGCOR to issue the permit and favoured Waterfront’s project.

“Considering that no additional documents were further required to be submitted, Waterfront is deemed to have completed the requirements for its project application, which warranted the review and evaluation thereof,” said the Court of Appeals in its ruling. In addition, PAGCOR was slapped with two €1.6k fines, to be paid to Waterfront Philippines in moral damages and exemplary damages.

Waterfront Philippines’ casino resort plans had been announced ten years ago as the Grand Waterfront Hotel and Casino was presented. The project includes a hotel with 2,500 rooms and the first petition to develop it was filed in 2015, but PAGCOR ignored it.

“Our finding remains that there is no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Regional Trial Court in issuing the assailed decision and resolution,” the Court of Appeals added and stated: “Accordingly, this Court agrees that the same is already final and executory.”