Tinga offers hand of reconciliation

Taguig Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tinga offered yesterday the proverbial hand of reconciliation to political nemesis, Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano, as he reiterated in a letter his opposition to casinos in the municipality.

"I look forward to mutual cooperation regarding all matters that lead to the progress of Taguig under our stewardship," Tinga said in his letter.

Tinga told the congressman that even before the recent controversy on a proposed construction of a hotel-casino project in the Global City erupted, he had already made clear that he was against any casino project.

"As early as September of last year, I made it clear to Alliance Investments Corporation, the investor my predecessor former Mayor Ricardo Papa entered into an agreement with to lease the property, that I am against the putting up of a casino at the site," part of Tinga’s letter read.

Tinga said that in his Sept. 4 letter to Alliance Investments Corp. through the Go and Lim Law Office, he stated that while the municipal government would allow the building or operation of a hotel," (he) made it clear that the lessee shall not use the leased premises for any gambling operation."

Tinga furnished Cayetano his letter to the investor.

Recently, Taguig residents and church groups protested a proposed municipal resolution allowing the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and the Philippine Realty and Holdings Corp. to build a hotel-casino on the 5.1 hectare land the Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. (FBDC) donated to Taguig.