DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES IN THE PHILIPPINES (Update)

25 January 2008

There appears to have been a serious misunderstanding in e-casino row


Developments are taking place thick and fast in the Philippines row over a proposed e-casino office location in Angeles City (see previous InfoPowa report)

Earlier this week, the owner of the launch-imminent online casino, Emmanuel Jacinto protested against public demonstrations against his company, claiming that he had all the necessary permissions from both City and betting agency authority PAGCOR, and that his offices were in compliance with the distances from schools and churches proclaimed by the government.

Jacinto's statement was challenged today (Monday) by Angeles City Mayor Francis Nepomuceno, who said the controversial online casino company located along MacArthur Highway in the Barangay Salapungan area has no permit to operate yet.

Nepomuceno said Roxas Sangalang, chief of his Business Permit and Licensing Division, has not yet issued a business permit to Jacinto's Emaja Internet Gaming Enterprise. Nepomuceno said the local government does not condone the proliferation of illegal gambling in the city.

And the city official who measured and confirmed that Jacinto's offices were within government requirements is reversing, too claiming that he did not know he was issuing a certificate on the measurements to an online gambling facility.

Mayor Nepomuceno says the business permit for the Internet casino was put on hold after AUF Chancellor Emmanuel Angeles and the university's students expressed strong objection against its operation on grounds of its proximity to schools and churches, and staged a demonstration outside Jacinto's new offices.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa