A BAGUIO City councilor on Monday, June 19, led the opposition of the previously approved gambling sites in the city, instead urged the City Council to review the move and create a committee to oversee their action.
Councilor Maylen Yaranon told colleagues, “You only considered one side of the coin in your decision,” referring to the arguments presented by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
A committee of the whole was created headed by Councilor Elaine Sembrano, who has flipped flopped on her earlier stance to approve gambling operation in the city.
“One of the requirements of Pagcor for e-bingo is that the Council should have a certification of no objection. We proposed rescinding their resolution because there is an objection by the citizenry, a letter from Bishop Cenzon and Fr. Manuel Castro representing the educational, religious and the women and children sector,” Yaranon said.
The gallery was filled with anti-gambling advocates, who silently watched how the council would act on the move of Yaranon to rescind the previous approval.
Priests, nuns, anti-gambling groups and the youth were present to give their support to Yaranon.
Yaranon is crying foul over the decision to approve requests of Bingo Palace Corporation to maintain and operate a new outlet in Albergo Hotel, where electronic and traditional games will ensue as well as the request of Highland Gaming Corporation to operate traditional bingo games at the upper basement of SM City Baguio and the Baguio Center Mall.
During the previous vote, only Councilor Peter Fianza objected while Councilor Robert Ortega and Yaranon were on official leave.
During the voting on May 22, majority of the council gave the gaming operators the green light to proceed with games.
