Tit for tat among Baguio bets,Solon clarifies opponents’ barbs over PAGCOR law

by DEXTER SEE

BAGUIO CITY – It is tit for tat between opposing camps vying for this city’s top elective positions and the latest issue is on regulated gambling. Baguio City Rep. Mauricio Domogan took exception to the accusations of the Molintas-Yaranon group that he spearheaded the passage of the controversial measure into law disregarding the powers of local government units.

“The consent of the people through their local government officials is required prior to the operation of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) on regulated amusement games, contrary to the projection of my detractors,” Domogan said. He said aside from this, continuous black propaganda being hurled against him by several politicians in a futile attempt to discredit him.

“Before its amendment, the Charter of PAGCOR authorized the corporation to establish and operate casinos in any part of the country even without any permit from the host local government units to conduct its operations in areas where it desire to do so,” he said. He said he was aware that majority of the people of Baguio are against the establishment of a casino in the city and that the City Council passed Resolution 314, series of 2005 entitled “Urging Congress of the Philippines to amend Presidential Decree No. 1869 and the Charter of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to provide that the PAGCOR and the PCSO shall conduct gambling activities and other games of chance and the on-line lotto only in localities where the local government units and their constituents agree to the operation of such activities after proper consultation with the latter.

The resolution requested the representative of Baguio City to sponsor the needed amendment of the Charter of PAGCOR and PCSO by inserting an amendment to the effect that PAGCOR cannot put or operate a casino without the approval of the city government. The said resolution was unanimously approved by the then members of the city council, namely; Edilberto Claravall as the temporary presiding officer and councilors Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, Elmo Nevada, Virgilio Bautista, Eduardo Aguilar, Roberto Ortega, Lilia Yaranon, Edgardo Bilog, Galo Weygan, Delfin Balajadja, Nicasio Palaganas, Richard Carino, Leandro Yangot, Jr and Florence Ibarra.

The resolution was introduced by former councilor Claravall. Vice-mayor Daniel Farinas was the acting mayor that time. Considering the intent and noble purpose of the resolution to be good to the city, Domogan co-authored the revision of PAGCOR’s franchise in order to insert the above-mentioned amendment as desired by the city. He said this was the only way he could include the provision requiring the consent and approval of local government units for the establishment of casino in their respective territorial jurisdiction.

With the amendment that was inserted by Domogan, PAGCOR cannot establish a casino in Baguio City without the approval of the city government. “I do sincerely believe, that what I have done was the best option available at that time. I am not a gambler neither did I have the luxury of time to enter a casino in my entire life. It is evident, therefore, that I am not pro-casino. Hence, the information that I am the author of House Bill No. 02000 and House Bill No. 03409 is not accurate”, Domogan said.

Records show that the bill was initiated by Rep Juan Miguel Zubiri of the third district of Bukidnon he being the chairman of the committee of legislative franchises. “Our participation was to join as co-author in the latter’s bill not because I am for the casino but to have a direct say in the insertion of the vital provisions to protect the interest of places where the PAGCOR intends to operate a casino, Baguio City included, and in pursuance of city council Resolution 314, series of 1995 requesting whoever the congressman of the city to make representation in the bill,” he said.

The original version of the bill was for PAGCOR to have a life of 50 years but it was reduced to merely 25 years through Domogan’s initiative. More importantly, having in mind the sentiment of Baguio people against casino, with other congressmen who later joined Domogan in his cause, he lobbied for the inclusion in the bill which required that PAGCOR obtain the consent of the local government unit that has territorial jurisdiction over the area chosen as the site for any of its operations. Consistent with his position in House Bill No. 03409, Domogan said operation of a casino in Baguio City or within the Cordillera region is a matter of people’s decision.

Domogan said there was nothing secret about his position in the PAGCOR issue since he had already made himself clear not once but on many occasions wherein his stand on the matter was asked. “Again, some embattled individuals and groups in the city are trying to distort factual and documented proceedings at the House of Representatives to misinform and divert the attention of the people from the “dark side” of his rivals who cannot get the full support of the religious groups because of morality questions,” he said.

“These dirty political tactics are the obvious ploy of some power-hungry politicians who are raring to win by trying to discredit their rivals through baseless accusations and not campaign for themselves based on what they have done when they were in public office. These kinds of politicians do not come out to be good leaders,” he added.

The lawmaker said “The local electorate should not to be carried away by the falsehoods and disinformation being waged by his rivals because the city residents might again commit a serious mistake of electing non-performing officials whose only claim to fame is to blame instead of looking after the welfare of the people through concrete programs and projects.”