Baguio councilors lift 9-year no-casino policy

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio City council paved the way yesterday for casino operations at Camp John Hay, amending the no-casino provision in the 1994 contract between the city government and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Voting seven to one, the council acted favorably on the Oct. 30 letter of BCDA president and chief executive officer Rufo Colayco to Mayor Bernardo Vergara asking for such an amendment.

Councilor Federico Mandapat Jr. said the setting up of a casino by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) at the former US rest-and-recreation center, is inevitable because the national law allows it.

"The council approved the government-run lotto and bingo operations based on the same principle," he said.

Councilor Edilberto Tenefrancia Jr., who voted against the amendment, argued that putting up a casino at Camp John Hay would violate Resolution No. 326 approved in 1994.

Mandapat said the 1994 contract has been superseded by law. "The contract is valid, legal and binding as long as it is not contrary to law. Unless the law is amended, Pagcor can go on," he said.