Magalong rejects e-bingo in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY(April 24, 2021) — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has rejected two resolutions passed by the Baguio City Council supposedly giving the go signal for the operations of Electronic and traditional bingo in the city.
The City Council of Baguio recently passed resolutions 208 and 209  approving the request of RCC Global Entertainment, Inc. to operate electronic and traditional bingo and other games authorized by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
The said games are located at Summer Pines Residences along Marcos Highway and at Cedar Peak condominiums along Mabini Street, respectively.
Magalong told the members of the city council  that he will not be affixing his signature on the two resolutions arguing that he finds the industry or activity requires prior public consultation.
For many years, Baguio officials, church leaders and residents were opposing any gambling activity in the city.   Groups and alliances were formed like the Baguio and Benguet Ecumenical Group  (BBEG) and other multisectoral groups against the proliferation of illegal gambling and legal gamblings like casinos, e-bingos among others.
The group headed by the late Catholic Bishop Carlito Cenzon, priests and pastors and leaders of other religous denominations petitioned the revocation of PAGCOR permits given to the E-Bingo operators in Baguio.
BBEG argued that casino and all other types of gambling in the city of Baguio destroys the city’s moral fabric.
The groups also argued that E-bingo games use machines and they are in essence “casinos”.
Artemio A. Dumlao