Rama Vetoes Poker Permit

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he is consistent with his stand that he is strongly against gambling, but failed to categorically explain why the city still continue to receive P3 million monthly donation from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Pagcor is giving the huge amount to the City of Cebu every month in exchange for allowing them to operate a gambling casino in Cebu City.

The mayor has vetoed the city council’s approval to allow the operation of a poker room at the Casino Satellite in Crown Regency Hotel along Fuente Osmeña.

The Cebu Grand Management Group, Inc. (Poker Club) had applied for a permit from the city government to operate a poker room at the Casino Satellite inside the Crown Regency Hotel in Fuente Osmeña. The application was endorsed by the city council.

A copy of the council’s resolution endorsing the application was sent to Rama’s office for approval. However, the mayor decided to veto the resolution.

Rama said he is just trying to be consistent to his stand against all forms of gambling.

Although the law allows the operation of regulated gambling, but Rama said it is also provided that Pagcor or its operator shall first secure the consent of the local government unit that has territorial jurisdiction of the area where the gambling is to be operated.

In Wednesdays regular session of the City Council, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said the matter should be properly deliberated prompting him to refer it to the Committee on Laws for further review.

Labella explained that the endorsement was made by the previous council. He said that among the issues that the committee should resolve is whether or not the previous endorsement is still applicable.

The record shows that the poker room was already issued a temporary business permit by the City Treasurer’s Office. But because of the mayor’s veto, the permit will have to be revoked.