Chavit denies casino at Metrowalk arcade

Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson admitted the other day the existence of a "poker" gaming sessions at Metrowalk shopping arcade near the Ortigas Center in Pasig City, but he denied that a casino had existed in the establishment.

Singson told a press conference held at Metrowalk, that there is no casino at the mall but sometimes there poker games are held.

"Poker yon. May lisensiya sa poker, pero hindi casino," said Singson.

He also denied that he own shares or property in Metrowalk, but he admitted that he has relatives who are stockholders in one of the companies operating Metrowalk.

Singson dared anyone who could prove that there is a casino operating in Metrowalk, saying he would give a P1-million reward to anyone who could prove the existence of a casino.

"No. This is not my company. Some relatives have shares in the company and many others own the company," Singson said.

He also said his relatives have "very minimal shares" in the company but declined to reveal the name of the company.

Victorino Obina, a barangay councilman of Barangay Kapasigan, Pasig City, had earlier exposed the alleged casino operations in Metrowalk.

He also appealed to police and Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio to investigate and take the necessary actions to stop the illegal gambling operations.

Obina claimed that his complaint apparently fell on deaf ears and was ignored by the police and city officials.

The local government of Pasig City later issued a statement claiming that no casino operation was found based on their records.

Eusebio also denied issuing any permit for the operation of any gambling joint in Metrowalk and vowed to stop any gambling operation into the city.

He added that an inspection conducted by police at the mall revealed no casino operation in the area.

Commissioner Ricardo Abcede of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, plans to renegotiate the lease contract of the 5,000-square meter lot where Metrowalk is located which is under government sequestration.

Abcede said the existing lease contract appeared onerous to the prejudice of government interest which should be corrected.

The PCGG leased the lot, which is part of the surrendered assets of Marcos crony Jose Campos, to four companies that developed and now operates Metrowalk