- 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.
- One of Asia’s top holiday islands faces closure by presidential decree. Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, has called for Boracay to be placed off-limits to tourists for six months.
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.
BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte said there is no need for him to issue an Executive Order (EO) to ban casino operations in Boracay.
'No, I'll just say that I do not need to do that... It is not a requirement that I should really be writing something,” Duterte said in a mixed Filipino and English during a media interview after the distribution of land titles in Boracay on Thursday evening.
During the island’s reopening on October 26, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has recommended the issuance of an EO from the President to speed up the ban on casino operations in Boracay.
Guevarra, in a press conference, said an EO would provide lasting ruling for a no-casino policy on the island.
The President, however, reiterated the resistance from the Boracay community is enough to make the island free from casinos.
Duterte said he has assigned Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to ensure that no casino operation will be allowed in Boracay. “We consulted the people here, the people in Boracay does not want (casino),” he said.
The President said casino operations may also spawn crimes such as illegal drugs, as well as cases of kidnapping. (PNA)
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.
The President, however, reiterated the resistance from the Boracay community is enough to make the island free from casinos.
Duterte said he has assigned Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to ensure that no casino operation will be allowed in Boracay. “We consulted the people here, the people in Boracay does not want (casino),” he said.
The President said casino operations may also spawn crimes such as illegal drugs, as well as cases of kidnapping. (PNA)
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.
Boracay Casino Duterte Website
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.
Boracay Casino Duterte Official
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.
Boracay Casino Duterte Latest
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.
Boracay Casino Duterte News
The President on February 9 imposed a temporary halt to the construction of more casinos to avoid an 'oversupply' of gaming complexes.
