Pagcor casinos to rise in Binondo?

Six members of the Filipino-Chinese community disclosed yesterday plans by the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to open casinos in Chinatown in Binondo, Manila and warned President Arroyo of the potential backlash should Pagcor’s plans push through.

"The Palace, specifically President Arroyo, is now being put to the test," the Filipino-Chinese said in a statement. "Does she owe Pagcor so much that she would allow the casino to operate after all the rancor it elicited? The Tsinoy community is closely monitoring that."

Teresita Ang-See of the Citizens Action Against Crime was among the signatories to the statement released by a group that calls itself the Kilusan Kontra Sugalan, which has opposed the opening of casinos in Binondo.

The Kilusan Contra Sugalan confirmed the revelation made earlier by Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, who said Ang-See’s group is digging deeper into reports that the casinos of Chinatown’s Binondo Suites and Premier Hotel will be reopened.

"The Tsinoy community is closely watching the Binondo Suites," the group said, adding that "word is going around the VIP club there will soon open with Internet gaming and other forms of gambling in the guise of family entertainment."

Besides Ang-See, other signatories to the Kilusan Kontra Sugalan statement include Gerie Chua, Ang Chak Chi, Paul Limgenco, George Go and Pilar Ongking.

"The Tsinoy community hopes (the casino reopenings) will not happen," the group said. "In the midst of the political and economic crisis, we need a new controversy like we need a hole in the head."

They warned Pagcor, chaired by Efraim Genuino, that they will also be keeping a close watch on the government gaming agency’s activities.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita earlier assured the Filipino-Chinese community through the Kilusan Kontra Sugalan that no casinos would be opened in Binondo. Ermita issued this reassurance after the Filipino-Chinese community aired their objection to the reopening of gambling facilities in Binondo.

The group also said that "squatter families behind the hotel (Binondo Suites) have been relocated," an occurrence that they said seems linked to the pending opening off the hotel’s VIP club because "the owners want to safeguard the security of the VIPs who will be patronizing the club."

Marcos claimed on Wednesday that Pagcor intends to put up 20 casinos in Metro Manila, some of which will be set up in the City of Manila.