Philippines president reiterates gambling opposition

The president reiterated his stance on gambling and said he doesn’t allow casino development in Boracay.

Philippines.- President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday that he is not in favour of more casinos and commercial development in Boracay Island. He said that there was speculation that he would invite foreigners to gamble on the island, but denied the rumours.

Earlier this year Galaxy Entertainment Group reported that it was on track to develop a casino in the island, despite the president and other authorities denying that casinos would be built in the area.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones said last month that the along with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) they are trying to solve land reform issues in Boracay and that they expect the process to be finished before the end of the year.

While the land reform process has already started, the president has yet to issue an executive order to ban more casino and resort development in the island, something that has been suggested by the Department of Justice in October.