E- bingo cause lost in Council

ELECTRONIC bingo at the City Council is now a lost cause after aldermen decided to forward all grievances to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Councilor Maylen Yaranon withdrew her motion to rescind the approval of gaming outlets in the city in a move to save what she can of the cause to rid streets of gambling.

“When the major-

ity did not approve the move of Fianza to defer and to invite the ebingo proponents, I decided to withdrew the move to approve the rescinding because we were only three, and it would just be lost like the Maharlika e – bingo,” Yaranon said.

Yaranon explained the councilors didn’t change their mind.

“We didn’t have the numbers, we needed eight votes and we were only three, so I withdrew, instead of a futile effort, we opted that all documents be forwarded to Pagcor. I hope with the Duterte admin, they will listen to the people,” added Yaranon.

The lady lawmaker said the move is a technical decision to salvage what was left of a lost war against collegues who would not budge to change their minds on gambling operations in the mountain city.

Aside from Yaranon, Councilors Peter Fianza and Elaine Sembrano have advocated to rescind the approval of e - bingo operations in the city

“We opted instead for the move of Sembrano to submit all documents to Pagcor including all the letters of protest and the transcript of the public consultation, because there is more hope for Pagcor to listen to the sentiments of the people than for the majority of the city council,” Yaranon said.

During a recent public consultation, advocates aired fears of gambling’s effect on people and the image of the city geared towards family oriented activities.

“For those who did not change vote, they did not listen to the voice of the people, therefore they are answerable to our Baguio constituents. It was a sad day for all anti gambiling citizens including bingo goers, but our fight for a gambling free Baguio does not end here,” closed Yaranon.