New administration takes power June 30
Philippine casino operators are asking President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to exempt their facilities from a proposed nationwide ban on smoking and drinking in public places, reports the Philippine Star.
Kingson Sian, president and chief executive of Manila casino operator Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., says industry leaders will meet with Duterte later this month to make their case. Travellers is a joint venture of Philippine-based Alliance Global Group Inc. and Genting Hong Kong Ltd. Together they run Resorts World Manila in the capital’s Entertainment City economic development zone.
Duterte supports the ban, according to GGRAsia, and implemented similar prohibitions in Davao City during his term as mayor. Businesses there are allowed one open-space smoking area covering a maximum of 5 square meters (54 square feet). Selling booze and drinking alcohol in public is forbidden from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Duterte will be inaugurated June 30.
