Philippine Senate President talks about casino projects

The official calls on casino companies to consult with local governments before planning big projects in the country.

Philippines.- Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Thursday that casino companies should consult local governments before starting plans to build projects in cities like Boracay.

Pimentel said that operators should only be allowed to build casinos after public hearings and after the host local government unit issues a resolution in support of large-scale gambling in the territories. The official’s testimony comes after a week of discussions regarding the US$500 million project that Galaxy Entertainment Group will start in Boracay.

House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez had suggested the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) could be the one building a casino on Boracay Island, instead of a foreign entity like Galaxy Entertainment Group. Despite the fact that Pagcor ended up signing the provisional licence for Galaxy’s casino, Suarez said that if a casino only costs US$500 million, Pagcor should do the project.

“Let us adopt the spirit of Federalism – let the people take part in the decision if a casino should be built in their locality,” said Pimentel. “I urge the councils of local government units – let your people be heard. Consult them, pass a resolution reflecting their concerns, and present the result to Pagcor and would-be investors,” the Senate president said.