The Philippine government has shelved a plan by Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd to build a US$500-million casino resort on the Philippine holiday island of Boracay, several media outlets reported on Wednesday evening, based on a briefing in Hong Kong from a Philippine presidential aide that was aired live on television. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte spoke publicly this week for the first time about a proposed $500 million casino resort on Boracay, the country's most popular vacation island, and the. PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte said that casinos will not be built within the premises of the world-famous Boracay island to honor the wishes of the locals and residents of the said tourist spot. 'If it is the wish of the population here that they do not want a casino, then it will be a no. Duterte also said that casino operation may also spawn crimes such as illegal drugs, as well as cases of kidnapping. To note, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has recommended the issuance of an executive order (EO) from the president to speed up the ban on casino operations in Boracay.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 9) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he does not need to issue an executive order (EO) to ban casinos in Boracay.
'No, I'll just say that huwag na lang. Anyway, it's a privilege whether I put it in writing or just say it verbally,' he said after he distributed Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to the Ati in Boracay.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said he recommended to Duterte to issue an executive order to implement a policy that will ban casinos on the island.
Duterte stressed he does not want to issue new permits for casinos, especially in Boracay, because residents are also against it.
He said casinos are being used by erring police officers, money lenders, and kidnappers for crimes.
'Somebody will go there just to take hostage of the occupant, ask something if he has money, then they will just call the family.. If I were the owner of the hotel, I should just be speculating of what will happen to me if I defy the government. There's going to be no gambling and that's it,' he said.
During the reopening of Boracay on October 26, Interior and Local Government Acting Secretary Eduardo Año said all casinos in the newly-rehabilitated island have ceased operation.
Related: No more casinos operating in rehabilitated Boracay – DILG
Año said they have requested Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to cancel the existing permits granted to casinos.
Prior to the island's massive rehabilitation, Duterte in April said there was no plan to put up a casino on Boracay, despite the provisional license granted to a Chinese company to build a $500-million (P26 billion) hotel-casino on the island.
San manuel casino age limit. The President on February 9 imposed a temporary halt to the construction of more casinos to avoid an 'oversupply' of gaming complexes.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — President Rodrigo Duterte did not authorize the establishment of any casino in Boracay even as the gaming regulator had issued a provisional license to a company, Malacañang said.
'I did clarify this with the President and the President said 'As far as Boracay is concerned I have not issued any proclamation that will authorize any casino in Boracay itself',' Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a media briefing Wednesday.
This was a reiteration of President Duterte's earlier statement before leaving for China that there is no plan to put up a casino in the world-class tourist destination. The government is closing the island down for six months beginning April 26.
'Walang plano sa casino-casino. Tama na 'yan kasi sobra na. Casino dito, casino doon,' the President said in a media briefing on Monday.
[Translation: There is no plan for a casino. There are already too many casinos. It must stop.]
READ: Duterte: No plan to put up Boracay casino
Roque said Duterte would have to issue a proclamation on how Boracay's land and resources would be utilized.
'The President's thinking is because of the Supreme Court decision that Boracay is state-owned, he as President would have to make a proclamation whenever there is a particular use intended for any portion of Boracay,' the Presidential spokesperson said.
'No, I'll just say that huwag na lang. Anyway, it's a privilege whether I put it in writing or just say it verbally,' he said after he distributed Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to the Ati in Boracay.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said he recommended to Duterte to issue an executive order to implement a policy that will ban casinos on the island.
Duterte stressed he does not want to issue new permits for casinos, especially in Boracay, because residents are also against it.
He said casinos are being used by erring police officers, money lenders, and kidnappers for crimes.
'Somebody will go there just to take hostage of the occupant, ask something if he has money, then they will just call the family.. If I were the owner of the hotel, I should just be speculating of what will happen to me if I defy the government. There's going to be no gambling and that's it,' he said.
During the reopening of Boracay on October 26, Interior and Local Government Acting Secretary Eduardo Año said all casinos in the newly-rehabilitated island have ceased operation.
Related: No more casinos operating in rehabilitated Boracay – DILG
Año said they have requested Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to cancel the existing permits granted to casinos.
Prior to the island's massive rehabilitation, Duterte in April said there was no plan to put up a casino on Boracay, despite the provisional license granted to a Chinese company to build a $500-million (P26 billion) hotel-casino on the island.
San manuel casino age limit. The President on February 9 imposed a temporary halt to the construction of more casinos to avoid an 'oversupply' of gaming complexes.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — President Rodrigo Duterte did not authorize the establishment of any casino in Boracay even as the gaming regulator had issued a provisional license to a company, Malacañang said.
'I did clarify this with the President and the President said 'As far as Boracay is concerned I have not issued any proclamation that will authorize any casino in Boracay itself',' Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a media briefing Wednesday.
This was a reiteration of President Duterte's earlier statement before leaving for China that there is no plan to put up a casino in the world-class tourist destination. The government is closing the island down for six months beginning April 26.
'Walang plano sa casino-casino. Tama na 'yan kasi sobra na. Casino dito, casino doon,' the President said in a media briefing on Monday.
[Translation: There is no plan for a casino. There are already too many casinos. It must stop.]
READ: Duterte: No plan to put up Boracay casino
Roque said Duterte would have to issue a proclamation on how Boracay's land and resources would be utilized.
'The President's thinking is because of the Supreme Court decision that Boracay is state-owned, he as President would have to make a proclamation whenever there is a particular use intended for any portion of Boracay,' the Presidential spokesperson said.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) had released a statement saying the provisional license granted to Boracay Philippines Resort and Leisure Corp. (BPLRC) was issued after the company met all initial documentary requirements such as a Certificate of No Objection and a minimum investment commitment of no less than $300 million.
Boracay Casino Duterte Website
Macau-based company Galaxy Entertainment Group will handle BPLRC's casino development and operation.
PAGCOR said the license 'is only the start' of the process before the casino can be issued a Notice to Commence Casino Operations and eventually, a regular casino gaming license.
Boracay Casino Duterte Official
'PAGCOR being a government entity under the Office of the President, abides by the laws and order of the land. As regulator, it ensures that its licensees comply with pertinent laws, rules, regulations and ordinances promulgated by authorities relative to the establishment and operations of casinos,' its statement read.
