Joy Belmonte, who will take office as mayor of Quezon City, Philippines at the end of the month, apparently will move ahead with her plan to establish a casino entry fee for locals, overriding the authority of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the country’s state-run gaming regulator.
Belmonte, who is currently vice-mayor and will assume her new role on June 30, told Business World, “I think what we have to do is write the implementing rules and regulations and that is the task of the executive department.”
Quezon City Council’s regulatory ordinance includes a PHP 1,500 (US$30) entry levy for residents for every 24-hour period they spend in any casino within the city limits. They can also pay PHP 30,000 per year if annual memberships are available.
PAGCOR says the Quezon City government does not have the authority to impose such an entry levy and promised to mount a legal challenge to the order, possibly in the form of a temporary restraining order.
Belmonte said she and her council members took the action on behalf of the people. She insists her power including “regulating gambling because I believe it is a vice, and I believe it is something that can affect the welfare of our constituents. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the local government, then that is a victory for all local governments because that means all local governments can now regulate in their respective jurisdictions.”
However, she added, “If the Supreme Court rules in favor of PAGCOR, we will respect the ruling of the Supreme Court.”
